Scope of Responsibilities The School Dentist contracts with the Woonsocket Education Department to assume the role of a school health consultant and to perform the required state dental screenings for students grades K-5 and grade 9 (approximately 3,500 students including private schools; 10 locations). Qualifications and Responsibilities ● The school dentist(s)/public health dental hygienist for a community shall be licensed to practice dentistry/dental hygiene, respectively, in Rhode Island in accordance with Chapter 5-31.1 of the RIGL. ● Each community shall provide for dental screenings by a dentist or a licensed public health dental hygienist with at least three (3) years of clinical experience as specified in section 16-21-9 of the RIGL who shall report any suspected deviation from the normal and for the preservation of records of the screenings of the children. ● The school dentist and/or public health dental hygienist, when applicable, shall be qualified by virtue of training and experience to assume the role of a school health consultant (e.g., develops school health protocols, provides in-service training for school nurses or dental hygienists) and/or service provider in accordance with the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants (R5-31DHA) promulgated by the Rhode Island Department of Health. ● The school dentist and public health dental hygienist, when applicable, shall have knowledge of all relevant state and local laws, regulations and protocols affecting schools. The school dentist and public health dental hygienist shall participate actively to ensure implementation of all such laws, regulations and protocols in collaboration with the school’s administrative authorities and school health personnel. ● The school dentist shall establish a contract with the school system defining mutually agreed upon expectations and objectives and the dentist and/or dental hygienist, when applicable, shall provide a regular report (a minimum of one (1) per year) on consultation and/or direct service activities rendered to the school system. ● Provide equipment for dental screenings (single use mirrors, tongue depressor, a light source, non-latex gloves, and masks).
