Supporting Student Hearing, Vision and Oral Health
Early detection and treatment of hearing, vision, or oral health problems can improve a student’s quality of life, educational achievements, and emotional wellbeing. Schools and districts can support students through screening, referral, and implementation of services such as school-based health centers or vision initiatives.
Children's Vision Strike Force
Governor Mike DeWine announced the creation of the Ohio Children’s Vision Strike Force in May 2024 to assure all students who fail the school vision screening receive the vision services need to have the greatest chance at academic success. For further information regarding the Children’s Vision Strike force see the Ohio Department of Health’s Children’s Vision Strike Force webpage.
Screening in Schools
The Ohio Department of Health provides guidance to school nurses and audiologists on conducting hearing, vision, and oral health screenings in the school setting. For more information on the guidelines for screening in Ohio schools, contact the Ohio Department of Health at BMCFH@odh.ohio.gov or review the resources below.
Training
Hearing training for school nurses and audiologists
The Ohio Department of Health provides web-based, regional, and live-virtual free training opportunities on how to complete hearing screenings. See the Ohio Department of Health’s Screening Training webpage for further information.
Vision training for school nurses
The Ohio Department of Health provides web-based, regional, and virtual no cost training opportunities on how to complete vision screenings. Training is provided through a grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Health (Save Our Sight Fund), Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate. See the Ohio Department of Health’s Screening Training webpage for further information.
Student Vision Education
The Ohio Optometric Association offers free classroom education for students on eye anatomy, eye safety, and eye disorders for students in grades Pre-K-K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 8-12. To schedule a presentation or find more information about the program see the Ohio Optometric Association Realeyes webpage.
School Initiatives
Many health care providers across the state have initiated vision or dental programs in their school-based health centers or utilize mobile vision or dental clinics. Contact a school-based healthcare provider in your area for more information about programs that might be available for your school. A census of school-based health centers and their services can be found on the Ohio School-Based Health Alliance’s website.
Vision
The Ohio Optometric Foundation’s iSee program provides community-based vision care for at-risk children across Ohio. For more information about the program contact Dr. Tracey Needham- needham@ameritech.net or see the Ohio Optometric Foundation iSee webpage.
Dental Sealant
School-based sealant programs can provide sealants and improve the oral health of students who are less likely to receive dental care at a private office. The Ohio Department of Health School-based Sealant Program targets schools where 40% or more of the students are eligible for the state’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program.
Resources
Hearing
Vision
Oral Health
Last Modified: 12/11/2024 3:51:48 PM