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.

Schools can share resources, information, and service options with families to meet their students’ hearing, vision, and oral health needs. Schools can encourage feedback and questions from families in surveys or meetings about what they need, hold events to increase education about hearing, visions, or oral health, and send updates about services or resources via preferred platforms.

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.

• 2022 Hearing Screening Guidelines and Requirements
• Hearing School Age 6-18 Years of Age
• Vision Screening Requirements and Guidelines for Preschools and School-Aged Children-
• New! Guidelines for Schools Partnering with Ohio-Licensed Eye Care Professionals - 2025 Guideline Amendment
• Vision Screening Quick Reference Guide
• 2024 Guidelines for Oral Health Screenings in Ohio's Schools

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.

Vision training for staff and public

In partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, the Department offers the Children’s Vision for School Staff training in the Ohio Learn. Anyone with an OH|ID account can register for Ohio Learn and take the course.

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 OhioSEE program provides mobile vision vans and temporary in-school vision clinics to deliver comprehensive eye exams for students in kindergarten through 3^rd grade at participating schools. Services are available in the 15 counties identified as having the greatest need where more than 80% of children who fail a school vision screening do not receive follow-up care. These counties include Allen, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Guernsey, Huron, Jackson, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, and Ross. The OhioSEE webpage offers additional information and resources for schools.
• 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 the Ohio Optometric Foundation iSee program at info@iseeohio.org.

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

• Children's Hearing Resource Document
• Hearing and Communication Developmental Milestones Checklist

Vision

• Find a Pediatric Vision Provider
• Ohio Department of Health Children’s Hearing and Vision Program
• Statewide Vision Resources List

Oral Health

• Ohio Department of Health Dental Emergency Guide
• Insure Kids Now
• List of Ohio Safety Net Dental Programs
• Ohio Department of Health Oral Health
• Selecting a School-Based Oral Health Care Program for Your School
• Oral Health Ohio Resources
• 2024 Guidelines for Oral Health Screening in Ohio’s Schools
• Ohio’s Legal Requirements for Mobile Dental Providers What Schools Need to Know
• School Checklist for Hosting Mobile Dental Facilities (MDFs)

Last Modified: 6/4/2026 7:51:43 AM

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