kids dentist | palos heights il

We Do School Exams!

January 10, 2014
|
Posted By: Dr. Richard Facko
smile little boy on a swing | Children's Dentistry in Palos Heights, IL

Children's Dentistry in Palos Heights, IL

With all of the crazy winter weather we've had, it's hard to imagine, but school registration is right around the corner!  As part of your child's kindergarten enrollment, the State of Illinois requires that your child be evaluated by a dentist. At Palos Pediatric Dentistry, we're happy to complete your child's kindergarten dental exam form.

School Dental Exams at Palos Pediatric Dentistry

At your child's dental visit, we will perform all of the requirements for school, and discuss any of our findings with you. We'll be sure to go over the following topics:

  • We will review your child's dental and medical histories. We will also discuss your child's diet and how it may affect his teeth.

  • We will check for cavities, both by looking at your child's teeth and by taking x-rays to check between the teeth. If any cavities are present, we will discuss treatment options with you.

  • We will clean your child's teeth. This allows for a thorough examination. We also use our cleaning time to review good brushing and flossing habits with you and your child.

  • We will record any previous dental treatment that your child has received.

  • We will evaluate your child's permanent molars for sealants. A sealant is a protective coating that we place on the chewing surface of permanent molars to reduce decay by about 75%.

  • We will check your child's occlusion, or bite, and provide guidance regarding future orthodontic needs.

  • Following your child's dental exam, we will apply fluoride varnish to help protect against decay.

  • Finally, we will discuss any treatment needs, as well as develop a personalized prevention plan for your child. We recommend check-up and x-ray intervals based on your child's risk for decay. We can also provide special guidance for home care for children who are at increased risk for cavities.

Remember, the State of Illinois requires dental examinations for children entering kindergarten, second, and sixth grades.

Contact Us

Call our Palos Heights pediatric dental office today to schedule an appointment to have your child's school dental examination!

Related Blog Posts
June 9, 2026
Getting Your Kids to Actually Brush Their Teeth

As a dad of four and a pediatric dentist, I can tell you that getting kids to brush their teeth consistently is one of the most universal challenges parents face. I hear about it every day in my office, and I deal with it in my own house. Here's everything I know about making it work.

Why Kids Resist in the First Place

Before jumping to solutions, it helps to understand why kids push back, because the reason shapes the approach.

  • The long-term consequence problem. Young children aren't wired to be motivated ...
May 26, 2026
The "Healthy" Snacks That Are Actually Causing Cavities

Nobody needs to be told that candy is bad for their kids' teeth. But there's a whole category of foods that parents assume are healthy — smart choices, good alternatives to junk food — that are quietly causing just as many cavities. Some of them are probably in your pantry right now.

Why These Foods Are Problematic

Before we get into the list, it helps to understand what makes a food dangerous for teeth. Three factors matter most:

  • Sugar and starch — both feed the cavity-causing bacteria in your child's mouth.
  • Stickiness — ...
May 10, 2026
The Sugar Talk Your Dentist Never Had with You

Most of us have heard that sugar is bad for our teeth since we were kids. But very few people have actually heard why, or which habits are quietly doing more damage than others. Some of them might surprise you.

How Cavities Actually Form

Cavities aren't caused directly by sugar. They're caused by bacteria, specifically a group called Streptococcus mutans, that live in everyone's mouth. We all have them. They're part of the ecosystem of microorganisms that live in our gut, which starts at our mouth.

Here's the chain reaction: those bacteria ...