Committee Passes Marchman Bill to Provide Oral Health Screenings in Schools

Dental pain is the number one reason kids miss school

DENVER, CO - Today, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee passed Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, bipartisan legislation to provide oral health screenings in public schools. 

SB24-142, cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, seeks to address oral health problems for kids while introducing them and their families to oral health care services. The bill would create a pilot program to conduct oral screenings for kindergarteners or third graders at schools that opt in. Additionally, the bill would create an accompanying study to help understand and address the need, value and costs associated with creating a statewide oral health screening program in schools.

“Untreated dental disease can be painful and can negatively affect a child’s physical, emotional and social development,” said Marchman. “SB-142’s pilot program would prioritize communities that would benefit most from dental health screenings – whether due to geographic location or economic ability. Through these screenings, we can interrupt the cycle of dental decay and improve health and learning outcomes for kids while saving families money.”

Data shows that 40 percent of children in kindergarten have a history of dental decay, and jumps to 55 percent of third graders. The program would be voluntary, and participating schools would be required to notify parents of their ability to opt children out of receiving a screening.

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow its progress HERE.