School health care questions

[supernutjapan]

So, I'm working on one of my subjects for the H/C bingo and was interested to know - which countries have doctors/dentists come to schools (public/private) for a simple health/dental check at the beginning of the year? For example, in Japan there is a sight test and if you need glasses you get a slip from the school telling the parents to take you

Comments

[sayuri2023]

It doesn't happen in India. And as far as I know, it doesn't happen in Scotland/UK either.. not in public schools. If a teacher think a pupil needs glasses he may write a note (eyecare is free anyway) but I don't think a doctor comes to the school grounds unless it's an emergency or it's a medical camp or similar.

[supernutjapan]

Thank you for your input! This is very interesting! I wonder why the Japanese schools are made to do all these. It's definitely good for the students, because they get a yearly checkup without going to the doctor. It's just all part of the national healthcare system I guess.

[sayuri2023]

I do agree its good for the kids. But with completely free healthcare I suppose its probably considered a parent's responsibility I think. Same for vaccinations... you can choose to be in or out.

[supernutjapan]

I guess this is just another way that students can receive a full free examination in a system that usually requires people to pay 1/3 of the cost.

It is the same here in that it's the parents responsibility as to whether to get a problem treated or not.

[bubblesbrnaid]

US, this is very unlikely nowadays, but control of the schools is so localized that it's not impossible. It would also depend on how much spare money the district had. (Some systems have permanent school nurses, for instance.)

I do remember that when I was in elementary school (the 80s), we did get weekly fluoride swishes in class, and very early on I remember some eye screenings, and around fifth grade we had a scoliosis screening. For the most part, though, the schools wouldn't get involved in health care unless it was an injury on school grounds *or* something spectacular was going on and it was clearly not being addressed/noticed by the parents. For instance, a teacher might notice that a child was having problems reading the board and make a suggestion for an eye exam, but it wouldn't be anything formal.

[supernutjapan]

Very interesting! I can see how each State and school could be different in the States, since they are different in other aspects as well. I did read on-line that many schools in the States require children to have a health examination before school starts and hand in a slip from the doctor

[ladyapple27]

There are 100 counties in the state of North Carolina, and our county is the only one that I know of with a public dental clinic and a portable clinic that visits the schools. It is not run by the federal government. It is supported by grants and donations. It serves people on Medicaid, the insurance for the poor, and offers a discount for certain people who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet still face economic challenges, although it is still quite expensive with the discount and appointments are hard to get. Medicare, the insurance for the elderly and disabled, does not offer dental insurance.

One of the goals for the clinic is to provide protective shields on the teeth of 100% of the children in the county. They're getting closer.

[supernutjapan]

It´s sad that is something that has to be innitiated by each county, but also something for you to be proud of aye? ❤

[meesasometimes]

growing up in the us we did have eye checks in elementary school and as bubbles said above scoliosis screens. I don't know how common either of those things are anymore. I can say for certainty the us healthcare system doesn't give a giant fart about our dental care. Almost no one has dental insurance anymore and it's practically useless when you do. And it's too expensive to go to the dentist. It's really really sad.

[supernutjapan]

Yeah, that is sad. That's one thing about Canadian healthcare that I thought sucked too. The Japanese national healthcare includes dental care so at least we don't have to pay exorbitant fees, but it is still really hard to find a good dentist.

[yeuxdebleu]

I can say for certainty the us healthcare system doesn't give a giant fart about our dental care. Almost no one has dental insurance anymore and it's practically useless when you do. And it's too expensive to go to the dentist. It's really really sad.

I'm in the US and totally agree with you. No one I know has dental insurance for the reasons you stated. I think in my lifetime I've put at least two children of dentists through college with all the money I've had to spend on my teeth. It's a crying shame that there is so little concern for dental care in the US. Medicare covers it only if you're in an accident of some kind that causes dental injury.

[wind_storms]

[supernutjapan]

That was really informative! Thank you!
Of course! I think you told me about how you went to some schools for that! :D Are the hearing and vision tests required on a national level then? I've heard that dental health affects the whole body - it's too bad that that part of health is so overlooked.

[wind_storms]

[supernutjapan]

Awesome! Thank you! Again great info <3<3 I can definitely use that bit about having to go for a check up before school starts :D *rubs hands with glee*

Yeah, I think that's how I got glasses in 3rd grade. I don't know how my eyes got so bad but at that point, I was amazed at being able to see the veins on leaves once I got my glasses :D It sure is a lot of work for the doctors/dentists. I wonder if they use their days off over here. They (probably volunteer doctors) also take turns being open on Sundays for emergencies so we can go to the City info page and find a doctor/dentist to go to when we have to.

[fireheart13]

America - we have the sight check, but not the dental. We also have a scoliosis check in elementary school, like 5th grade?

[supernutjapan]

Thank you! <3