Manhattan High provided the annual dental health screenings on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Students were called down to the Little Theatre by grade, a process that took all school day. There were several volunteers from Konza Dental Clinic, through Riley County Health Department, who examined each student’s teeth one by one. 

“It is a requirement by the schools that dental screenings be offered,” Robin Mall, MHS school nurse said. “All USD 383 schools have to do these screenings.” 

The state of Kansas funds the screenings in all public schools throughout the state. The 15-second screenings look for sealants and signs of tooth decay.

“It provides a check up outside of your regular dentist appointment, that way you can detect problems before it is too late,”  sophomore Louise Lacroix said. 

According to Mall, the dental screenings are most important for students who may not have access to proper dental health care. Those students who are screened with urgent dental concerns will be able to attend a dental clinic at MHS to address their specific needs. 

“It is very awesome the service they provide these students because dental work is very expensive,”

Mall said.