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Schools may hire on-site dentists
TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- In two New Jersey schools, Johnny can read, write -- and get his teeth fixed.
New Brunswick district officials are using grants to set up dental offices at two schools, where full-time dentists and dental assistants will provide services to students for free.
The services appear to be the first school-based dental offices. Other districts have offered dental health care during free clinics.
"It is uncommon to have actual dental services provided in school," said Michael Yaple, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association. "It is more often common to see clinics with examinations and education."
District Superintendent Ronald Larkin is waiting for approval from state health officials. The plan calls for opening one dental center at a grade school by next month and the other at New Brunswick High School by the end of the year.
School district officials said dental care is desperately needed in a community where about 70 percent of the students live at or below the poverty line. The district includes a large population of immigrants and most do not have medical or dental insurance or aren't eligible for state assistance plans, officials said.
Students in the most desperate need of care will be treated first. Eventually all will be screened on a regular basis.
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