Links to Gator Grins forms:
Dental Outreach Program Overview
At our mobile dental clinics you can have your child seen by the dentist in a professional and comfortable school environment, without the inconvenience of missing school. Your child will be seen by a Hilltown Community Health Center dentist and hygienists. We offer complete dental services including dental cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, sealants and fillings. Dentists at the Worthington and Huntington Health Centers will be available in case of dental emergencies.
Enrolling in our program means your child will not have to leave school or miss a lot of classroom time for a dental appointment and parents/guardians will not have to miss work and spend valuable time and money transporting him or her to the dentist. This program makes it easy to ensure that your child gets regular dental care at their school, where children feel less intimidated and are more cooperative than at the dentist’s office. We take the challenge out of finding a local dentist who will treat your child regardless of your ability to pay.
Why Dental Health Care at School?
As all of us who live in the hilltowns know, getting the services we need can be a challenge. Studies have shown that children in rural areas miss more school for oral health appointments, and often have difficulties getting to the dentist. In addition, there is a higher cost to parents for time missed from work and the cost of the commute. Often parents cannot locate a local dentist who accepts their dental insurance. Our dental program accepts most dental insurances including Masshealth.
No funds from the Gateway Regional District schools or Hampshire Regional District schools are used for this program.
What Services are provided?
- Dental exams
- X-rays
- Dental cleanings
- Amalgam and composite fillings
- Fluoride Varnishes
- Sealants
- Emergency dental care
What makes our Program Unique?
While some school programs provide dental health screenings, sealants, and fluoride, they do not include restorative or routine care, therefore requiring children to also see another dentist.
Your children will be seen by known providers which is important when building a good dental health relationship. Our dentist, Dr. Emily Bowden, and hygienists Lori Paquette and Julia Baranyuk will provide dental care to your children. We are also available after hours and during the summer at the Huntington and Worthington Health Centers.
How Can Your Child use Our Services?
- Complete the Health History and HIPAA forms that are sent home at the beginning of each school year. These forms are available online above.
- Drop the forms off at your child’s school, or mail it to: School Based Dental Outreach Program, 12 Littleville Road, Huntington, MA 01050.
- You may receive any information you need by calling Kiirsten Cooper at (413) 667-0142 ext.403 or email her here.
No appointment is necessary; once your child is enrolled, he/she will be built into the schedule for a dental exam and cleaning while the dental health team is at your child’s school. The day we see your child, we will send home a Service Rendered form to let you know we have seen your child. If further treatment is needed we will send home a Treatment Plan. When we receive the signed Treatment Plan back, we will schedule your child for the needed treatment.
*** All forms must be filled out, signed and returned for treatment to be done***
List of schools in the program:
- Chester Elementary
- Gateway Regional Middle/High School
- Littleville Elementary