This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to utilize the Basic Screening Survey to evaluate the oral health of preschool and school-aged children across the state. The DOH, in collaboration with licensed dentists and their staff, is required to gather a sufficient number of random data samples from each county on a biannual basis. Importantly, the collection of data will only occur with the informed, written consent of a child's parent or guardian, and all data must be handled in compliance with federal and state privacy laws.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the DOH must submit a biennial report to the Governor and the Legislature, detailing findings and recommendations based on the collected data. The Basic Screening Survey, developed by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, serves as a tool for assessing oral health status but is not intended for comprehensive clinical examinations or treatment planning. The bill aims to enhance the understanding of children's oral health in New Jersey and ensure that data collection respects privacy and consent protocols.