COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A bill to help prevent dental problems from hindering South Carolina students' health and education is set for debate.
A House Education panel is to discuss a bill Tuesday that would provide students with free dental checkups.
Republican Sen. Ray Cleary says students can't pay attention or study in school when they're suffering from tooth decay. Cleary is a Murrells Inlet dentist.
The Senate passed the bill last year.
The bill would create a pilot program in three to five of the state's poorest counties when funding becomes available. Children would be screened for dental issues in kindergarten, third, seventh and 10th grades, or whenever they first enroll in school. A coordinator would line up dental visits for children who need them. Parents could reject the help.
