The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners will consider changing its rule that only a child who has been seen by a dentist can be treated at school.
Child advocate groups are lobbying for the change, so children can undergo teeth cleaning and other dental evaluations in school districts that offer the service through visiting dentists, according to an October 22 news report by WTVD in Durham.
The board's "prior-exam rule" currently only allows a person to be treated by a dental hygienist if the individual has already been seen by a dentist. Sarah Vidrine, a health analyst for NC Child, told the TV station that changing the rule would allow more children greater more access to preventive dental care.
In the meantime, the dental board is taking public comments on the proposed rule revisions through November 15, when it is scheduled to meet and vote on the proposal.
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