Promoting health alongside a well-rounded education has always been important to the Clay Central/Everly school system.

Last week the district welcomed the Webster County Health Department's dental hygienist, Beth Albright, to the school via the I-SMILE program. Students were seen at no-cost by Albright during the school day.

I-Smile @ School is a statewide program offering free dental screenings, dental sealants, fluoride varnish and oral health education for elementary through middle school students. Studies show that nearly 80-90 percent of school-aged children have tooth decay or cavities on the surfaces of their molar teeth. Providing children with dental screenings allows dental sealants to be placed on the affected teeth which greatly lowers students' risk of tooth decay.

Numerous local, private, and public health organizations administer the I-Smile @ School through contracts with the Iowa Department of Public Health. The program was established to provide dental healthcare to those that may not receive it otherwise, making certain that children do not have to worry or focus on mouth pain.