Processes for School Screening
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This process guide is issued by the all Wales Community Dental Service Clinical Director
group. It should be read in conjunction with the Welsh Government school dental
screening / inspection protocol. Standard all Wales documentation must be used for
school screening
These form the basis for screening, but it is recognised that local rules and policies apply
in addition:
General Principles
1. The dental team will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all LHB Policies and
CDS Local Rules, particularly manual handling and cross infection control
2. CDS school screening is a high profile activity and an orderly approach cultivates the
support and confidence of teaching staff and pupils.
3. Name badges must be worn at all times
4. Always advise base clinic and/or main clinic when you are visiting a school
5. Screening must be done by dentist and accompanying DCP. This team is responsible
for compliance with all aspects of screening
6. Liaise with CDS colleagues to ensure co-ordination of school visits for epidemiology,
D2S work etc
Prior to Screening Visit
1. Communicate with school to arrange mutually convenient date / time for screening
and request school lists. Follow with written confirmation as per local procedures.
2. Prepare class lists
3. Obtain and record consent to screen and note child’s consent status
4. Consider second request for consent if poor initial response
5. Ensure you know the location of school and any special requirements, EG safe parking
on premises
6. Prepare and transport equipment in accordance with local rules. Follow manual
handling protocols and divide loads if necessary
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7. Take sufficient documentation to school
8. In consultation with the Community Dentist, the Dental Nurse will be responsible
for checking that all required equipment and consumables are prepared. (see list
attached)
9. All instruments will be sterilised prior to use and packed in sealed bags and stored
under appropriate conditions.
10.Latex free gloves to be used
11.All items will be transported in the boot of the vehicle. Whenever possible, containers
and equipment will be securely fixed with straps.
Procedures at the School and Screening process
1. On arrival at school the dental team will introduce themselves to the Head Teacher or
Deputy, or appropriate person.
2. A risk assessment will be undertaken for all activities. (NB As a minimum there must be
immediate access to a First Aid Kit and working phone). Identify school first aider and
postcode in case of emergency
3. Check whether any additional consent forms received or consent withdrawn.
4. The assigned room should be a suitable area to allow• maximum light (natural or artificial)
• staff to maintain confidentiality
• small groups of children to be seen together if appropriate
• ready access to a wash basin and paper towels
• dentist and nurse to work safely and efficiently
5. A suitable light source must be used. If a Daray light is used it must be securely fixed
to an appropriate table, using G-clamps, and plugged into a socket using the RCD
provided. No trailing leads to cross pedestrian areas.
6. Before beginning the screening, ensure the area is safe - if necessary reposition
furniture and/or equipment.
7. After putting on disposable gloves, the Dental Nurse will wipe all “clinical” work
surfaces and equipment with Medi-wipes or similar.
8. Cover surfaces appropriately
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9. A waste bag will be fixed at a convenient location, to receive all waste generated
during the visit in accordance with local policy
10.Equipment will be placed on wiped and covered stable surface accessible to the
dentist. Ensure clean and contaminated equipment are kept separate.
11.A separate administrative area will be identified for the dental nurse to record the
outcomes of inspections and to complete the necessary forms.
12.At the start of each screening session the dental team must wash their hands
13.The dentist will wear fresh gloves for each child. The dental nurse is responsible for repositioning the Daray light
14.For each child –
• Ask if they are happy to have their teeth looked at
• Check ID and consent. Do not screen child if there is any doubt that consent has
been given
• Look at all teeth and soft tissues using mirror(s)
• Dry teeth with cotton wool rolls if necessary
• Clean debris from teeth using ball ended probe if necessary
15.A sterilised mirror will be used for each child and, after use, placed directly into a
container marked “Contaminated Instruments”. This container must be rigid with
smooth surfaces that can be disinfected.
16.Record findings according to criteria
17.When screening complete, repack all equipment/instruments in the appropriate
containers and clean all temporary “clinical” work surfaces.
18.The waste bag must be tied, and if necessary tagged, before being removed from the
screening site.
19.Follow cross infection protocols for bagging and transporting waste.
20.Before vacating the room the dental team must ensure that everything is where it was.
Ensure you have everything with you
21.Contact the Head Teacher or other person when screening completed and advice of
the team’s departure.
22.Give post screening letters to Head teacher / class teacher for distribution to parents
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Post screening
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On return to clinic 1. Inform base / main clinic of return.
2. Waste bags disposed of according to the LHB’s waste management policy.
3. All mirrors and instruments decontaminated and sterilised in line with CDS policy.
4. Boxes used to transport instruments and the container used for contaminated
instruments must be decontaminated following local policy
5. Any actual or suspected malfunction of equipment must be reported to the
appropriate person and it must not be used again until advised to do so
6. Complete all documentation
7. Ensure the dentist is available in a reasonable time to respond to any post screening
enquiries from parents or school
8. Where the dentist has concerns about a child with serious oral health problems (EG
spreading dental infection) they will make direct contact with the parent / person with
parental responsibility to arrange urgent dental treatment.
9. Arrange collection of returned forms
10.Follow up any queries, and respond to any parents who have asked for help to access
dental services
December 2013
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