School-Based Screenings: Vision, Hearing, DentalVision Screening
A complete eye exam performed by an eye care specialist is suggested for all children entering kindergarten and then every two years because 80% of learning is visual. Most children do not realize that they have a vision problem. This is because as many as 25% of all children have vision problems. Parent volunteers provide a simple vision screening in the month of October for students K-5th grade using a Snellen chart and a Randon Dot E. These screenings are NOT eye exams and simply note children who have difficulty seeing from a distance of 10 feet. These screenings do not detect children with near vision problems. It is estimated that these screenings only find 40% of the children with vision difficulty. Free Eye Care: Vision USA is a non-profit program that provides basic eye health and vision care services without charge, to children of low-income families with no eye care insurance, nor Medicare or Medicaid, and have no other means of obtaining eye care. Parents or guardians must send a copy of a most recent tax return or verification for the free hot lunch program to qualify. Call the Wisconsin Optometric Association at 1-877-435-2020 for more information. Hearing Screening The goal of the hearing screening is to locate a child with a hearing problem that can interfere with communication and educational performance. Parent volunteers provide a simple hearing screening in the month of October using an audiometer for students K-5th grade. This screening is NOT a hearing exam and does not detect all types of hearing loss. The results of medical and audiological evaluation should be communicated to the child’s teacher to permit management of any exceptional educational needs that may exist. Dental Screenings The Elkhorn Area School District acknowledges the importance of regular dental exams and the effects of dental health on the overall health and success in school. It is noted that the prevalence of dental decay has been cited in more than 40% of 5-year-olds and 85% of 17-year-olds. Students with dental decay have been found to have chronic colds, speech difficulty, poor school attendance, poor school performance, are poor eaters, and many complain of pain with eating. These combine to make learning difficult. The dental screening for students K-5th grade is an additional service provided to parents by the Elkhorn Area School District to identify children who may need further dental evaluation by a dentist. The dental screening is not a dental exam but a dental visualization by a volunteer registered dental hygienist using a flash light. This is not a dental exam. The screening attempts to identify areas of dental concerns such as: an area that may indicate an area of tooth softening or discoloration which may be a sign of dental decay, or a tooth which appears a filling has fallen out, or it could be a hole in a tooth that may or not be causing discomfort. Parents are notified and those children who have not had a dental examination in the last six months, are encourage to contact their dental care provider for an evaluation. Dental cavities that progress to a severe decaying of the tooth can lead to pain, reduced appetite, mouth odor, infection and other potential harmful effects. When dental decay is severe, it is considered neglect and the school is required by law to notify Human Services if no parental action is taken to seek dental care in a reasonable amount of time. If you have any questions about our dental screening program please feel free to contact us at anytime. Scoliosis Screening The Elkhorn Area School District requires scoliosis screening as part of their requested physical exam for grade kindergarten, fourth, seventh and ninth. There is no in-school scoliosis screening. |
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