BELTON, Mo., (Aug 24. 2026) – Cass Community Health Foundation is seeking volunteers to support its annual school-based dental screening program in Cass County and surrounding communities, helping identify children who may need dental care before small problems become bigger health concerns. Local dentists, dental hygienists, and community members are encouraged to volunteer as screeners, varnishers, or data recorders.
Cass Community Health Foundation will visit schools in Archie, Belton, Cleveland, Drexel, East Lynne, Grandview, Harrisonville, Martin City, Pleasant Hill, and Strasburg this fall. The foundation will visit schools within the Raymore-Peculiar school district in the spring.
Volunteers with no dental experience are needed to help record screening data, facilitate the events, and hand out home care supplies. Dentists and registered dental hygienists are needed to perform oral health screenings. Other dental office team members can also help. In addition to screenings, volunteers will help provide oral health education, oral hygiene supplies, and, with parental consent, two free fluoride varnish applications to students.
“Healthy smiles start with early prevention and access to care,” said Cynthia Randazzo, president and CEO of Cass Community Health Foundation. “Our school screenings allow us to connect with children who may not otherwise receive regular dental care, while giving volunteers a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting difference in the health and well-being of local students.”
The foundation partners with school nurses to help ensure students identified during screenings receive the dental care they need. Students who are covered by Missouri Medicaid, as well as uninsured students who meet financial eligibility requirements, can be referred to the foundation’s safety-net dental clinic, Cass County Dental Clinic.
Community members interested in volunteering can sign up and learn more about our school-based dental screening program at casscommunityhealth.org/screenings.
For those with limited availability, there are also opportunities to assist at the foundation’s brand-new dental clinic by packing home care goody bags for students. To volunteer at the clinic, contact Haley Holt, Cass Community Health Foundation outreach coordinator, at outreach@casscommunityhealth.org.
