School Entry Requirements

Lead Screening

All Iowa school children must have proof of a blood lead test before starting kindergarten, or as soon as possible after the parents are notified that the child needs the test.

Vision Screening

Students entering kindergarten and 3rd grade are required to have a vision screening. 

School Dental Screenings

All children newly enrolling in an Iowa elementary or high school are required to have a dental screening. This requirement was passed by the 2007 legislature and became effective July 1, 2008. The purpose of the dental screening requirement is to improve the oral health of Iowa's children. Dental screenings help with early detection and treatment of dental disease; reduce the incidence, impact, and cost of dental disease; inform parents and guardians of their children's dental problems; promote the importance of oral health for school readiness and learning; and contribute to statewide surveillance of oral health.

Dental screenings are provided by an integrated network of health care professionals to supplement Iowa's dental workforce. Regional I-Smile^™ coordinators, serving at the "hub" of this network, will partner with schools to assist students who need a screening.

Based on new legislation and administrative rules, the following changes to the school dental screening requirement are effective for the 2010-2011 school year:

• Applicants include kindergarten and 9th grade students only - not transfer students.

• A screening for kindergarten is valid from age 3 years to four months after enrollment date.

• A screening for 9th grade is valid from one year prior to enrollment to four months after enrollment date.

• Screenings performed by out-of-state providers are acceptable.

• Authorized providers (dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, physician assistants, and registered nurses) may record information on the approved IDPH Certificate of Dental Screening from another form.

• "Treatment Needs" definitions are revised for the screening section of the Certificate of Dental Screening.

• Audit due date is now May 31.

Immunizations 

Immunizations are a vital communicable disease control mechanism. All students enrolled must be in compliance with the Iowa State Immunization Code or they may be excluded from school. Students, parents, or guardians must submit a valid certificate of immunization to the school nurse at the time of enrollment.

 

Diphtheria            5 doses with 1 dose received ≥ 4 years of age if born on or after Sept 15, 2003; or

Tetanus       

Pertussis              4 doses, with 1 dose received ≥ 4 years of age if born after Sept 15, 2000 but before

                                Sept 15, 2003; or

                                3 doses, with 1 dose received ≥ 4 years of age if born on or before Sept 15, 2000

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Polio                     4 doses with 1 dose received ≥ 4 years of age if born after Sept 15, 2003; or

                               3 doses with 1 dose received ≥ 4 years of age if born on or before Sept 15, 2003

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Measles                2 doses with the first dose received ≥ 12 months of age, second dose no less than 28 days

Rubella                   after the first dose

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Hepatitis B            3 doses if born on or after July 1, 1994

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Varicella             2 doses received ≥ 12 months of age if born on or after Sept 15, 2003; or

                             1 dose received ≥ 12 months of age if born on or after Sept 15, 1997 but before Sept 15,

                               2003; or

                             A reliable history of natural disease

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Tdap                 1 dose for students entering 7th grade

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Meningitis       1 dose for students entering 7th grade

                       2 doses for students entering 12th grade