By Angela Hatton
Hopkinsville, KY – The Christian County School Board is the first district in the Commonwealth to approve a program that would provide in school dental examinations for students. "Big Smiles" is a service of Reach Out Health Care America and comes at no cost to parents and school systems. Schools Communications Director Regan Honeycutt says grant funds and Medicaid reimbursements cover the program expenses. Reach Out Development Coordinator Allen Hearsh cautions at least 100 schools within an hour and a half radius of each other must sign on before services can begin. Hearsh says the earliest the program could begin is Fall 2009. A dentist would visit district schools a few times a year depending on the number of students who sign up. Some regional schools already offer limited dental services through their Family Resource Centers.