Dental Screening
All children newly enrolling in an Iowa elementary or high school are required to have a dental screening. This requirement was passed by the 2007 legislature and became effective July 1, 2008. The purpose of the dental screening requirement is to improve the oral health of Iowa's children. Dental screenings help with early detection and treatment of dental disease; promote the importance of oral health for school readiness and learning; and contribute to statewide surveillance of oral health.
The following are highlights of the school dental screening requirement:
All children newly enrolling in an Iowa elementary or high school are required to have a dental screening. This requirement was passed by the 2007 legislature and became effective July 1, 2008. The purpose of the dental screening requirement is to improve the oral health of Iowa's children. Dental screenings help with early detection and treatment of dental disease; promote the importance of oral health for school readiness and learning; and contribute to statewide surveillance of oral health.
The following are highlights of the school dental screening requirement:
- The requirement applies to kindergarten and ninth grade students only.
- A screening for kindergarten may be performed by a licensed dentist, dental hygienist, nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
- A screening for ninth grade may be performed by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist only.
- Screenings performed by out-of-state providers are allowed.
- The Iowa Department of Public Health Certificate of Dental Screening is the only acceptable form.
- Kindergarten: A screening is valid from age 3 years to four months after enrollment date. The dental screening deadline is 12/22/20.
- 9th grade: A screening is valid from one year prior to enrollment to four months after enrollment date. The dental screening deadline is 12/22/20.
| certificate of dental screening.pdf |
Vision Screening
The State of Iowa requires all incoming Kindergarten and third-grade students to have a vision screening. This exam can be completed by a licensed eye doctor or optometrist, your child’s health care provider at the time of his or her school physical, or a county health department. It can be completed within one year prior to the first day of school for the kindergarten or third-grade year. The results of this screening need to be submitted to the school on the State of Iowa Certificate of Vision Screening Form. Please take this form with you to your appointment. If your child has had an exam in the last year, you may have your doctor complete this form with the results of their last appointment.
Kindergarten: A screening will be valid if it done up to 1 year prior to enrollment and no later than 6 months after enrollment. This means the vision screening deadline is 2/23/21.
3rd Grade: A screening will be valid if it done no earlier than 1 year prior to the first day of school and no later than 6 months after the first day of school. The vision screening deadline is 2/23/21.
The State of Iowa requires all incoming Kindergarten and third-grade students to have a vision screening. This exam can be completed by a licensed eye doctor or optometrist, your child’s health care provider at the time of his or her school physical, or a county health department. It can be completed within one year prior to the first day of school for the kindergarten or third-grade year. The results of this screening need to be submitted to the school on the State of Iowa Certificate of Vision Screening Form. Please take this form with you to your appointment. If your child has had an exam in the last year, you may have your doctor complete this form with the results of their last appointment.
Kindergarten: A screening will be valid if it done up to 1 year prior to enrollment and no later than 6 months after enrollment. This means the vision screening deadline is 2/23/21.
3rd Grade: A screening will be valid if it done no earlier than 1 year prior to the first day of school and no later than 6 months after the first day of school. The vision screening deadline is 2/23/21.
| certificate of vision screen .pdf |
Mandatory Lead Level Screening
The Iowa Department of Public Health has recommended since 1992 that all children be tested for lead poisoning. House File 158 was passed by the 2007 legislature and was amended by the 2008 legislature. It became effective July 1, 2008, and requires all children entering kindergarten to have at least one lead test.
The goal of this legislation is to protect Iowan children under the age of 6 years from lead adverse effects in their developing brains and nervous systems and to reduce the number of children with developmental deficits and learning disorders related to lead exposure. The legislation has proven effective through an increase in the number of children tested, a decrease in the number of children with elevated blood leads and the routine child lead testing by physicians.
Kindergarten: Please ask your child's health care provider if he or she has had one lead level test preformed since birth.
The Iowa Department of Public Health has recommended since 1992 that all children be tested for lead poisoning. House File 158 was passed by the 2007 legislature and was amended by the 2008 legislature. It became effective July 1, 2008, and requires all children entering kindergarten to have at least one lead test.
The goal of this legislation is to protect Iowan children under the age of 6 years from lead adverse effects in their developing brains and nervous systems and to reduce the number of children with developmental deficits and learning disorders related to lead exposure. The legislation has proven effective through an increase in the number of children tested, a decrease in the number of children with elevated blood leads and the routine child lead testing by physicians.
Kindergarten: Please ask your child's health care provider if he or she has had one lead level test preformed since birth.
7th Grade Iowa Immunization Law
- Required Immunizations for 7th Graders
- Meningococcal Vaccine
Per Iowa law, at the start of the 2017-18 school year, 7th grade students will be REQUIRED to have a meningococcal vaccine (to prevent meningitis, a bacteria that infects the brain, blood and spinal cord). According to the new state law, students that have not received the immunization will not meet the mandatory immunization requirement and no grace period to catch-up will be given. Students may not be able to come to school on the first day of the 2020-21 school year if parents have not provided documentation that their child has received the meningococcal shot. - Tdap Vaccine
Since the 2013-14 school year, 7th grade students are REQUIRED to have a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis/whooping cough). Your student may have already received these shots during their regular physical exam. You can check your child’s immunization record or call their health care provider to find out if they had the Tdap booster and meningitis shot and make an appointment if needed. Please turn in a new “Certificate of Immunization” that shows documentation that these vaccines were given.
- Meningococcal Vaccine
12th Grade Iowa Immunization Law
- NEW 12th Grade Immunization REQUIREMENTS
- Meningococcal Vaccine
Your student may have already received this shot during their regular physical exam. You can check your child’s immunization record or call their health care provider to find out if they had the meningitis shot and make an appointment if needed. Please turn in a new “Certificate of Immunization” that shows documentation that these vaccines were given.
Immunizations
- Preschool - 12 grade students need to stay up-to-date with immunization requirements. Please contact your county health department or primary healthcare provider to ask if your student's immunizations are current.
Physical Exam Requirements
A physical exam is required for
A physical exam is required for
- Enrolled Preschool students
- Kindergarten students are recommended to have a physical but not required
- 7-12 graders participating in sports (ALL 4 pages must be signed and completed
| Sport Parental Consent |
| Sports Physical Form |
| Mandatory Concussion Form |
| Special Olympics Physical Form |