School Dental Examinations

All Illinois children in kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 6, and Grade 9 are required to have an oral health examination.

  • This is required for all public, private, and parochial schools.
  • Examinations must be performed by a licensed dentist, and he/she must sign the Proof of School Dental Examination form.
  • Each child is required to present proof of examination by a dentist prior to May 15 of the school year.

- School dental examinations must have been completed within the 18 months prior to the May 15 deadline.(Nov. 15, 202_)

- The Proof of School Dental Examination form and the Dental Examination Waiver form are uniform for statewide use.

- If a child in Grades 2, 6, or 9 fails to present proof by May 15, the school may hold the child’s report card until:

The child presents a Proof of School Dental Examination form, OR

The child presents a Dental Examination Waiver form, OR

  • The child is enrolled in the free and reduced-price lunch program and is not covered by private or public dental insurance (Medicaid/All Kids).
  • The child is enrolled in the free and reduced-price lunch program and is ineligible for public insurance (Medicaid/All Kids).
  • The child is enrolled in Medicaid/All Kids, but the family is unable to find a dentist or dental clinic in the community who will accept Medicaid/All Kids and is able to see the child.
  • The child does not have any type of dental insurance and there are no low-cost dental clinics in the community that will see the child.

The child presents an exemption based on religious grounds (follow Public Health Administrative Rules), OR

The child presents proof that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15.

These children must present proof of a completed dental examination before attending school in the subsequent year.

Miles Of Smiles

The mobile dentistry of Miles of Smiles:

Goal is to alleviate some of the financial demand placed on families as well as helping to meet requirements for the school year. All children, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, are eligible for a dental exam. The services are provided at no cost to our district families.

As an additional benefit to our district families, the team fills out the dental forms for students in kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9th grade as required by law to show proof of dental examination for school.

Here is how the program works:

  • Parents fill out the attached permission slip and return it to the school office as soon as possible – dates differ each school year, watch for announcements.

  • A team including a dentist, hygienist, and dental assistants will come to the school during the day to give examinations. Students in grades 5-12 will be transported to Sherman Elementary for their exams.

Examinations will not be given unless the consent/permission slip is returned to the school office.

Miles of Smiles Consent