BELTON, Mo., (Jun 1, 2026) – Cass Community Health Foundation provided free dental screenings to 7,234 students in Cass County and surrounding area schools during the 2025-2026 academic year, the highest total in the program’s history.
“Reaching a record 7,234 students this year reflects the growing need for accessible preventive dental care in our communities,” Cynthia Randazzo, Cass Community Health Foundation president and CEO said. “By expanding screenings into additional schools and working alongside dedicated volunteers, school districts, and dental professionals, we are identifying dental concerns earlier and helping more children receive the care they need to stay healthy, confident, and ready to learn.”
The dental screenings were offered to students in nine Cass County school districts and the Grandview school district. Historically focused on elementary schools and early childhood education centers, the program expanded during the 2025-2026 school year to include middle school students in the Harrisonville, Grandview, and Belton school districts. Of the 7,234 students screened, 16% were identified as needing dental care. The foundation partnered with school nurses to coordinate follow-up care, and students insured through Missouri Medicaid or without insurance and access to dental services were referred to Cass County Dental Clinic, the foundation’s safety net dental clinic.
Cass Community Health Foundation recruited 149 community volunteers to help complete the screenings, which totaled 1,198 hours of volunteer time. Local dentists Dr. Samantha Mayes of Gillis Family Dentistry in Clinton, Dr. Terry Myers of Keystone Dentistry in Belton, Dr. David Merello, retired dentist of Pleasant Hill, Dr. Merle Nunemaker, former Missouri Dental Association president, and Dr. Rob Tait, Grandview dentist and member of the Cass Community Health Foundation Board of Directors, volunteered their time to assist at the screenings. Concorde Career College’s dental hygiene program, Cass Career Center students, the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s (UMKC) dental hygiene program, and several community members also volunteered.
The screenings, completed in partnership with the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services-Office of Dental Health, also include oral health education, oral hygiene supplies, and two free fluoride varnish treatments for children with parental consent. During the 2025-2026 screenings, 43% of students received fluoride varnish applications.
Visit casscommunityhealth.org/screenings for more information about the dental screening program and how to volunteer.
