County committee sends Smiles on Wheels school dental-screening contract to full board, seeks opt-in clarity
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Summary
The Health & Human Services Committee voted to forward a Smiles on Wheels oral-health contract for school screenings to the full board. Commissioners debated whether screenings should be opt-in versus opt-out and asked staff to work with the vendor and the advisory board to clarify consent and contract language.
The Health & Human Services Committee voted Nov. 6 to send a proposed contract with Smiles on Wheels — a mobile dental screening provider — to the full St. Clair County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioners discussed parental consent procedures and whether the program should require an opt-in from parents rather than an opt-out system. Several commissioners said they would prefer an opt-in policy to ensure parents explicitly authorize school-based screenings; staff said they would review the contract with Smiles on Wheels and report back to the board about whether opt-in can be implemented under the grant or contractual terms.
Liz King, the county health officer, told commissioners the service fills a screening gap for kindergarteners and other students who do not have documentation from a private dental provider; she said the program is voluntary and that parents may provide documentation from their own dentist instead. Committee members asked staff to confirm timing for contract signature and whether the Health Advisory Board could review contract language before the full-board vote.
The committee approved forwarding the contract to the full board by voice vote; commissioners asked staff to provide more detail at the full-board meeting about consent options and any contract language that would affect parental choice.
No final county-wide policy change on opt-in vs. opt-out was adopted at the committee meeting; the full board will review the Smiles on Wheels agreement and any recommended consent language.