Did you know that your child’s school may offer preventive dental services for free? That’s right, your child may be able to receive free dental services right at their school through the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile program. Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile contracts with local, licensed dental providers that come directly to schools across the state. Each child signed up at participating schools is seen twice a year through the program.
Family Health La Clinica Community Health Center is one Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile partner that sends Registered Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants to schools across Central Wisconsin. Teams take portable gear to provide preventive dental health services like dental sealants, fluoride treatments, oral health screenings and education. They also make referrals for additional dental services and treatment if needed.
All services take about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your child’s needs, and are available to youth from pre-K through 12th grade. First, they start with a screening, then they apply fluoride and dental sealants to prevent cavities, and finally they review tooth brushing and other oral health education. Kids are sent home with a new toothbrush and toothpaste so they can continue to care for their teeth at home.
“The best part about these services is that they are offered to children at their school at no cost to families,” says Melissa Weasner, School-Based Dental Outreach Manager at Family Health La Clinica. “Parents and caregivers do not have to take off work or take their kids out of school to go to the dentist, saving families time and money. As a parent myself, I know that I appreciate the free services that this program provides!”
If you aren’t sure whether your child’s school participates in the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile program, ask the school directly. You can also find more information online and sign your child up for the program by visiting sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/consent. Services will not be performed without your permission, so your school will provide you with a paper consent form or have you sign your child up online at the web address above. After your child is seen, you will get a letter explaining what services they received.
It is important to note that your child will still need to visit their dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. If your child does not have a dentist they see regularly, program staff will send home information as to where you can get local dental care for your child. Some dental providers, such as Family Health La Clinica, accept Medicaid (BadgerCare) or provide services on an income-based sliding fee scale. So even if you don’t have insurance, your child does not need to go without quality dental care.
Family Health La Clinica is a community health center with clinics in Wautoma, Beaver Dam, Mauston, Friendship, and Stevens Point. They offer primary medical, dental, mental health, and addiction services to people of all ages and income levels. Private insurance, Medicaid (BadgerCare), Medicare, and uninsured are accepted, with a sliding fee scale for services based on income. Visit their website at www.famhealth.com and follow them on social media @fhlcchc.
