(1) Subject to available appropriations, the department shall administer a grant program to assist communities with:
Implementing population-based, evidence-based strategies, including administeringschool dental sealant programs, to prevent dental decay in children;
Assisting water systems, operators, and personnel, including water districts, with adjusting the level of fluoride in drinking water to optimal levels as a means of preventing dental decay in both children and adults; and
Other oral health evidence-based programs that the department identifies and deemseligible for assistance.
(2) Subject to criteria that the department may establish, including the types of providers to whom the department may award grants, the department shall award grants in the following categories:
(a) Oral health services that target children who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches under the "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq., or who attend school in a school district whose median household income is at or below two hundred thirty-five percent of the federal poverty line. Grants awarded in this category may support the following:
School-based programs that are conducted completely within the school setting;
School-linked programs that are connected with schools but deliver services off-site;
School-linked programs that conduct dental screenings at schools; and
Hybrid programs that incorporate school-based and school-linked components.
(b) Fluoridation support services, including:
Assistance in the design, purchase, installation, maintenance, and inspection of equipment designed to add fluoride to drinking water to achieve optimal levels for the prevention of tooth decay, as determined by the federal department of health and human services;
Training of water treatment personnel in the proper operation of fluoridation equipment and current water fluoridation practices; and
Monitoring of fluoride content by obtaining monthly samples of finished drinkingwater to assure the optimal level of fluoride to prevent dental decay.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 1128, § 1, effective May 28. L. 2006: (2) amended, p. 49, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2009: (3) amended, (SB 09-292), ch. 369, p. 1972, § 91, effective August 5. L. 2013: Entire section R&RE, (SB 13-261), ch. 404, p. 2369, § 5, effective June 5.