3.9.12 Notifications: Health Screenings and Services

School authorities may excuse any student in grades 7 to 12 from school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the student’s parent/guardian/caregiver.  These services may include treatment having to do with drugs/alcohol, reproductive health, sexually transmitted diseases, and mental health.  (CA Education Code 46010.1)

A student’s vision and hearing can be appraised by the school nurse or other persons authorized and licensed to perform vision and hearing screening.  All students in first and fourth grades will receive vision and hearing screening. All students in seventh grade will also receive vision screening. In addition, SFUSD will provide vision and hearing screening for students from all other grades referred for vision and hearing concerns. A student will be excused from vision or hearing screening if the parent/guardian/caregiver communicates in writing to the school’s principal that they do not wish their child to be screened. (CA Education Code 49455 and 49452)

SFUSD is now partnering  with Vision To Learn, a non-profit organization that can provide no cost vision services to students. Students at participating schools will be referred to the Vision To Learn mobile clinic to receive a basic eye evaluation by a trained and licensed independent optometrist, if they do not pass their school vision screening. Vision to Learn may also provide screenings for students in grades that do not have mandatory school screenings.  If needed, your child may also be prescribed glasses. The optometrist may also identify and refer students in need of follow-up vision care. Eye evaluations do not involve eye drops or dilation.  Parents/guardians can choose to opt out by communicating in writing to the school’s principal that they do not wish for their child to participate in Vision to Learn Services.

CA Education Code 49452.8 requires that your child have documentation of an oral health assessment (dental check up) completed by May 31 in their kindergarten year, or, if enrolled in school for the first time, in first grade. Assessments that have happened within the 12 months before your child enters school also meet this requirement. The law specifies that the assessment must be done by a licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional. We highly encourage you to go to your child's dentist who can complete the attached Oral Health Assessment Form and provide treatment to your child. California law requires schools to maintain the privacy of students' health information . Your child's identity will not be associated with any report produced as a result of this requirement. Please see more information and forms in chapter 3.9.14 and 3.9.15 of this Handbook.

The following resources will help you find a dentist for your child: 

1. Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal's toll-free number or website can help you to find a dentist who takes Denti-Cal: 1-800-322-6384; http://www.denti-cal.ca.gov. Search for local providers in the Medi-Cal Dental Providers Directory.
2. Healthy Families' toll-free number or website can help you find a dentist who takes Healthy Families insurance or find out if your child can enroll in the program: Call 1-800-880-5305 or visit the California Healthy Families website at https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1596. 
3. For additional dental resources, contact the S.F. public health department at (628) 217-6889 or https://www.sf.gov/information/dental-services. 
   • San Francisco Dental Clinic Referral Resources (Updated January 2024):
     • English: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/San%20Francisco%20Dental%20Clinic%20Referral%20English.pdf 
     • Spanish:https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/San%20Francisco%20Dental%20Clinic%20Referral%20Spanish_0.pdf
     • Chinese:  https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/三藩市牙科診所轉介資料.pdf
   • Medi-Cal dentist accepting new patients in San Francisco County (Updated June 2024):
     • English: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/ENG%20NV%20CHDP%20dental%20directory%20summer%202024_0.pdf 
     • Spanish: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/SPA%20Medi-Cal%20Dental%20Directory%20June%202024.cleaned%20%281%29.pdf
     • Chinese: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/CHIN%20Medi-Cal%20Dental%20Directory%20summer%202024_0.pdf

Here's advice to help your child stay healthy, in school and ready to learn: 

• Take your child to the dentist twice a year. 
• Brush teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride. 
• Limit candy and sweet drinks , such as punch or soda. 
• Seek treatment for all infected teeth.  Untreated cavities may lead to emergencies and cavities in baby teeth may result in damage to adult teeth.

Cavities are preventable, so act now! If you have questions about the oral health assessment requirement or need more forms, please contact the Nurse of the Day at the Student Family & School Resource Link, at (415) 340-1716. 

Any information of a personal nature disclosed by a student 12 years of age or older, or by the parent or guardian of such a student, in the process of receiving counseling from a school counselor, is confidential.  Such information will not become part of the student’s school record without the written consent of the person that disclosed the information.  This information will not be revealed, released, discussed or referred to except in limited circumstances defined by law.  The student may discuss these circumstances with the counselor before seeking counseling.  (CA Education Code 49602).

SFUSD sponsors Wellness Programs on-site at some K-8 schools and middle schools, and all high schools. The Wellness Programs are access points for physical, behavioral and mental health services.  Wellness staff includes School District Nurses, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, social workers, and health outreach workers.

For more information, visit: www.sfusd.edu/services/health-wellness.