A new Law in Puerto Rico, now requires that your child have an oral health assessment (dental check-up) by January 2019 in grades kindergarten, second, fourth, sixth, eight, and tenth.
Dental assessments completed up to 6 months before your child enters school also meet this requirement. The law specifies that the assessment must be done by a licensed dentist.
Please go to the ADMISSIONS menu and download the Oral Health Certificate PDF Form, as it will be needed for your child’s check-up, and return certificate signed by a licensed dentist to our school’s main office.
Remember, if your child has poor dental health, your child is not healthy and ready for school. Here is important advice to help your child stay healthy:
Take your child to the dentist twice a year.
Choose healthy foods for the entire family. Fresh foods are usually the healthiest foods.
Brush teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Limit candy and sweet drinks, such as punch or soda. Sweet drinks and candy contain a lot of sugar, which causes cavities and replaces important nutrients in your child’s diet. Sweet drinks and candy also contribute to weight problems, which may lead to other diseases, such as diabetes. The less candy and sweet drinks, the better!
Baby teeth are very important. They are not just teeth that will fall out. Children need their teeth to eat, talk, smile, and feel good about themselves. Children with cavities may have difficulty eating, stop smiling, and have problems paying attention and learning at school. Tooth decay is an infection that does not heal and can be painful if left without treatment. If cavities are not treated children can become sick enough to require emergency room treatment, and their adult teeth may be permanently damaged.
Many things influence a child’s progress and success in school, including health. Children must be healthy to learn, and children with cavities are not healthy. Cavities are preventable, but they affect more children than any other chronic disease.
Your cooperation with this new law is very much appreciated. If you have questions about the new oral health assessment requirement, please contact me, Mrs. Magda M. Moreno -School Nurse, at 787-796-2180 or at firstaid@doradoacademy.org.
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