Back-to-School Dental Checkups for Wood County Families
West Virginia asks for proof of a dental exam when a child starts school, and again in grades 2 and 7. A back-to-school checkup handles the requirement and catches the cavity you would rather not find out about in November. Our Parkersburg office on Rosemar Circle is the Wood County one, and it opens at 7am.
The Paperwork Nobody Reads Until August
West Virginia Asks for a Dental Exam, Not Just Shots
Most Wood County parents know the immunization rule. Fewer know there is a dental one sitting right next to it. West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2423 asks for proof of a dental examination for students entering a West Virginia school for the first time, and again for students moving into grades 2 and 7.
The exam has to have been done within the 12 months before the school year starts, which is why a summer appointment does double duty. Districts publish their own forms and dates each year, so check the Wood County Schools medical forms page for this year's version, and the state enrollment requirements if you want the source.
Bring the form to the appointment. Hand it to the front desk when you check in and ask to have it completed before you leave, rather than mailing it back later in the week.
Which Kids This Applies To
New entrants to Pre-K or Kindergarten, anyone starting at a West Virginia school for the first time, and students heading into grades 2 and 7. If you have a rising second grader and a rising seventh grader in the same house, that is two forms and one trip.
One Appointment
What a Back-to-School Checkup Actually Covers
It is not just a signature on a form. A summer visit is the one appointment of the year where there is time to fix something before it becomes a problem during a school week.
Exam and Cleaning
A dentist looks at every tooth, and a hygienist clears the buildup a toothbrush misses. This is the part the school form is asking about. See our hygiene services.
Digital X-Rays
Only when your child is due for them. Digital X-rays show decay between teeth, which is exactly where a young mouth hides it.
Fluoride Treatment
A two-minute varnish that strengthens enamel against the snacks and sports drinks a school year runs on. Details on fluoride treatment.
Sealants
A thin coating over the grooves of new permanent molars, which usually arrive right around first and second grade. Read about dental sealants.
If the Exam Finds Something
You leave with a plan and a written estimate, not a surprise. Booking in early August means a filling can be scheduled before the first week of school instead of pulling your child out of class in October.
Timing
Book Before the Last Two Weeks of August
Every family in the valley has the same idea at the same time, and the two weeks before the first bell are the busiest stretch of our year across all four offices.
7am Start Times
Parkersburg and Colegate open at 7am Monday through Friday, so a checkup can happen before first period.
Siblings Back to Back
Two kids, two grades, one trip. Say so when you book and we will schedule them together.
Room for a Follow-Up
If a tooth needs work, an early appointment leaves weeks of buffer instead of days.
Four Offices, Not One
If Parkersburg is booked the week you need, Belpre is a few minutes across the bridge and both Marietta offices are open to Wood County families.
Not sure which office is closest? The Locations page lists all four with hours and directions.
Back to topComfort First
If Your Child Dreads the Chair
Some kids climb into the chair and start talking. Others plant their feet in the parking lot. We plan for both, and it costs you nothing to say which one you have when you book.
Every visit comes with the basics: a pillow, a blanket, cable TV, and a hygienist who explains what is about to happen before it happens. When more than that is needed, nitrous oxide is light, wears off in minutes, and is the option we reach for most often with anxious kids. Our full comfort services cover the rest.
For the younger ones, we have a mascot on our side. The Legend of Supertooth has talked more than a few first graders into opening wide.
See Dentistry for Kids
New to Us?
Our new patient page covers what to bring and what the first visit looks like. We bill most major insurances, and the financial options page lays out payment plans if you need them. Ask the front desk to check your plan before the appointment.
Your Wood County Office
3 Rosemar Circle, Parkersburg
Suite A, off Rosemar Circle and a short drive from Vienna, Mineral Wells and Williamstown. Hours are Monday through Wednesday 7am to 5pm, Thursday 7am to 3pm, and Friday 7am to 5pm.
What Valley Families Say
Trusted on Both Sides of the River
Here is what patients say about bringing their kids to Family Tree Dental.
Common Questions
Back-to-School Dental FAQ
Straight answers for Wood County parents working through the enrollment packet.
Does West Virginia require a dental exam before school starts?
Yes. West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2423 asks for proof of a dental examination for students entering a West Virginia school for the first time, and again in grades 2 and 7. The exam needs to have been completed within the 12 months before the school year begins. Wood County Schools posts the current forms and dates on its medical forms page, so check there for this year's specifics.
Which grades need the dental form in Wood County?
New entrants to Pre-K or Kindergarten, students entering a West Virginia school for the first time, and students moving into grades 2 and 7. If your child falls into one of those groups this year, the form travels with them at enrollment. Bring it to the appointment and ask our front desk to have it completed before you leave.
How early should I book a back-to-school dental checkup?
Aim for early August or the last week of July. The final two weeks before the first bell are the busiest of our year across all four offices. Booking early also leaves room for a follow-up if the exam turns up a cavity or a tooth that needs watching, so treatment happens before the school year rather than in the middle of it.
What happens at a back-to-school checkup?
A cleaning, an exam by one of our dentists, and digital X-rays if your child is due for them. Depending on age and risk, we may recommend a fluoride treatment or sealants on the new permanent molars. If anything needs treatment, you leave with a plan and a written estimate rather than a surprise.
Do you have appointments before school in the morning?
Our Parkersburg and Colegate offices open at 7am Monday through Friday, so an early appointment can happen before first period rather than costing a half day of class. Ask for the first slot when you call, and book siblings back to back if you have more than one child due.
Which Family Tree Dental office is closest to Wood County?
Parkersburg, at 3 Rosemar Circle Suite A, is the Wood County office and the closest one for families in Vienna, Mineral Wells, Williamstown and Parkersburg itself. Belpre is a few minutes across the bridge if that fits your day better, and both Marietta offices are open to Wood County families too.
Get the Checkup Done Before the First Bell
Parkersburg · Belpre · Marietta