Delaware bill to give free dental exams to students moves forward

DOVER, Del. – A Delaware bill to provide free dental screenings for kindergarteners in the state has passed the Delaware House and now moves to the state. “Oral health is so vital for our children’s health, not just physically, but mentally and socially,” said Bill sponsor Rep. Kim Williams.

The screenings would be provided by the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services, Smile Check Program led by Dr. Nick Conte at no cost to the districts, to be completed by the last student attendance day of each school year.

“The screening is for the kindergarten year and services are a connection to care, we want to make sure families have a dental home and permanent provider to take care of any ongoing need they might incur,” Dr. Conte said.

“Healthy habits are best started at a young age. Having spent the past several months serving as a co-chair for the Dental Care Access Task Force, I have heard from experts up and down our state about how prevention is key,” said Sen. McBride, chair of the Senate Health Committee. “By ensuring that every one of Delaware’s kindergarteners will participate in at least one dental screening during their first year of school, we will set these students and their families on a path to better oral health.

The bill now heads to the Delaware Senate, where if passed it would go into effect for the 2024-25 school year.