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Dental Screening

Last Updated: October 1, 2024

A school dental screening is done by a Registered Dental Hygienist and a Certified Dental Assistant from Peterborough Public Health (PPH). A dental screening is a quick, visual look of a child’s mouth with a sterile mirror. This screening does not replace a child’s regular visits with their dental provider.  

The Public Health dental team visiting your child’s school uses current infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures. 

Dental screening occurs in all elementary schools in Peterborough county and city each school year. This includes Curve Lake First Nations, public, separate, and private schools.  

Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, and Grade 2 students receive screening each school year.  Grades 4 and/or Grade 7 students may also be screened based on the previous year’s screening result. If you would like your child or youth screened but they are not in one of the listed grades, you can choose to have them included in their school screening by calling 705-743-1000, ext. 399 and leaving a message. 

If your child is 17 years old or younger but not enrolled in an elementary school, they still have the opportunity to be screened. Parents of children who are not screened at school may request a dental screening at our Community Dental Health Clinic by calling 705-743-1000, ext. 265.  

Public Health Units in Ontario are mandated under the Public Health Standards to provide oral health screening in elementary schools. 

Public Health programs, including dental screening, are designed to support and encourage parent’s efforts to provide the best dental care for their children. They also help provide access to dental care for children in families that do not have the finances to visit a dental provider regularly. Dental screenings bring awareness to parents about the possibility of free dental care for their child through Healthy Smiles Ontario 

Routine dental screenings are done annually. Parents will receive information from their child’s school at least 10 days prior to the screening. Contact information for PPH staff is included for parents or guardians who have questions or concerns. 

Each child receives a Dental Report Card. The report card is sent home with the child following the screening, along with information for those families who may be eligible for no-cost oral health services. 

If your child missed their screening at school, parents/guardian can arrange to have the screening done at the Peterborough Public Health Community Dental Clinic, by appointment, at 185 King Street. Children and youth in other grades, (17 years and under) may be also be screened upon request by a parent or guardian by calling 705-743-1000, ext. 265. 

Parents with questions about the School Dental Screening or concerns about their child’s oral health may contact a member of the Oral Health School Screening Team at 705-743-1000, ext. 273. 

2024/2025 School Dental Screening Dates:

The following dates are subject to change, please continue to check back to this webpage for any updates. 

  • Curve Lake First Nations School
    Wednesday, November 20, 2024
  • Adam Scott C & VI (Elem)
    Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - Wednesday, April 16, 2025
  • Apsley Central P.S.
    Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – Wednesday, October 16, 2024
  • Buckhorn P.S.
    Thursday, November 7, 2024
  • Chemong P.S.
    Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – Wednesday, April 23, 2025
  • Crestwood Intermediate School
    Monday, March 31, 2025
  • Edmison Heights P.S.
    Wednesday, May 14, 2025- Thursday, May 15, 2025
  • Havelock Belmont P.S.
    Monday, November 11, 2024 – Tuesday, November 12, 2024 
  • Highland Heights P.S.
    Monday, April 7, 2025 – Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • James Strath P.S.
    Monday, February 3, 2025 – Thursday, February 6, 2025
  • Kaawaate East City P.S.
    Monday, January 13, 2025 – Wednesday, January 15, 2025
  • Kawartha Heights P.S.
    Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – Thursday, April 10, 2025
  • Keith Wightman P.S.
    Thursday, January 23, 2025 – Friday, January 24, 2025
  • Kenner Intermediate P.S.
    Thursday, February 27, 2025
  • Lakefield District P.S.
    Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – Thursday, March 20, 2025
  • Millbrook/South Cavan P.S.
    Monday, November 25, 2024 – Wednesday, November 27, 2024
  • North Cavan P.S.
    Monday, November 18, 2024
  • North Shore P.S.
    Monday, December 2, 2024 – Tuesday, December 3, 2024
  • Norwood P.S.
    Monday, October 21, 2024 – Tuesday, October 22, 2024
  • Norwood District Intermediate School
    Wednesday, October 16, 2024
  • Otonabee Valley P.S.
    Tuesday, December 17, 2024 – Wednesday, December 18, 2024
  • Prince of Wales P.S.
    Monday, May 5, 2025 – Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  • Queen Elizabeth P.S.
    Wednesday, January 8, 2025 – Thursday, January 9, 2025
  • Queen Mary P.S.
    Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Thursday, May 8, 2025
  • R.F Downey P.S.
    Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Wednesday, March 19, 2025 
  • Roger Neilson P.S.
    Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – Thursday, March , 2025 
  • Warsaw P.S.
    Friday, October 11, 2024
  • Westmount P.S.
    Monday, February 3, 2025 – Tuesday, February 4, 2025
  • Immaculate Conception CES
    Monday, March 3, 2025
  • Monsignor O’Donoghue CES
    Wednesday, February 19, 2025
  • St. Alphonsus CES
    Thursday, January 9, 2025 – Friday, January 10, 2025
  • St. Anne CES
    Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – Thursday, April 3, 2025
  • St. Catherine CES
    Monday, March 24, 2025 – Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  • St. John CES
    Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – Thursday, December 5, 2024
  • St. Joseph CES Douro
    Thursday, October 31, 2024
  • St. Martin CES Ennismore
    Monday, October 28, 2024 – Tuesday, October 29, 2024
  • St. Patrick CES
    Monday, December 9, 2024
  • St. Paul CES Peterborough
    Monday, February 10, 2025
  • St. Paul CES Lakefield
    Tuesday, November 5, 2024
  • St. Paul CES Norwood
    Thursday, November 14, 2024 – Friday, November 15, 2024
  • St. Teresa CES
    Wednesday, January 29, 2025
  • ÉC Mgr-Jamot
    Tuesday, April 29, 2025
  • Children’s Montessori School
    Wednesday, October 23, 2024
  • Kawartha Montessori School
    Wednesday, October 9, 2024
  • Rhema Christian School
    Wednesday, September 25, 2024
  • ZOE Christian Academy
    Wednesday, November 8, 2023