Resources for Partners
Are your young students or patients ready for Kindergarten?
Have you heard?
Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, children entering kindergarten or the first year of school are required [Public Act 316 of 2023] to have dental assessments within 6 months prior to the start of school.
The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) has the goal of promoting school readiness and increasing awareness of the significance of good oral health.
You play a critical role!
You already know the connection – good oral health leads to optimal overall health, and the State of Michigan knows that too! Collectively, we can work towards identifying signs of decay or infection and establishing a dental home for each child. You play a critical role in ensuring the success of this program.
Your support is essential
My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) in partnership with the Detroit Health Department is providing assessments at schools and community events.
With your partnership, we can work together to reduce oral health disparities in our community.
Here is how YOU can help
Join us in raising awareness among caregivers, educators, and community partners about the KOHA (The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program) law.
I'm an Educator/Staff
Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, children entering kindergarten or the first year of school are required [Public Act 316 of 2023] to have dental assessments within 6 months prior to the start of school.
Schools should include dental assessment information and the KOHA Assessment form in registration packets, promote assessments through various channels,, and maintain assessment records in students’ health files.
Invite us to provide assessments at a pre-enrollment event/round-up, health fair or open house. Schedule a time to chat or contact KOHA_Detroit@mydental.org to learn more.
We offer FAQs and downloadable materials to assist in training teachers, peer educators, and caregivers. Find all those resources here.
I'm a Health/Dental Professional
These assessments are not meant to alter your usual office protocol for exams, but documentation is needed for state reporting purposes.
If a child is already a patient of record and has had an examination 6 months before the start of school, the results of that exam will satisfy the new law. Results should be documented on the KOHA Assessment Form.
Your collaboration in accepting referrals and providing treatment to children is critical. With your partnership, we can work together to reduce oral health disparities in our community. Schedule a time to chat or contact KOHA_Detroit@mydental.org to learn more.
We offer FAQs and downloadable materials to assist in training teachers, peer educators, and caregivers. Find all those resources here.
I'm a Community Partner
Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, children entering kindergarten or the first year of school are required [Public Act 316 of 2023] to have dental assessments within 6 months prior to the start of school.
Join us in raising awareness among caregivers, educators, and community partners about the KOHA law and invite us to a pre-enrollment event/round-up, health fair or open house for assessments.
See details below on how to schedule. Dental assessments can also be done at a private dental office. Schedule a time to chat or contact KOHA_Detroit@mydental.org to learn more.
Consider assisting families with enrolling their student in Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental program, by visiting: tinyurl.com/5n854fwy
We offer FAQs and downloadable materials to assist in training teachers, peer educators, and caregivers. Find all those resources here.
Good Dental Health Leads to School Readiness
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children. Children with poor dental health are three times more likely to miss school because of dental problems.
Want to make an impact? Schedule a meeting or contact or our team to get started!
Schedule a meeting
Contact KOHA_Detroit@mydental.org to learn more.
FAQ
Dental cavities are the #1 most common childhood illness and cavities can cause pain. Cavities can prevent children from eating and can keep them awake at night and both eating and sleep help children learn. It is important to screen children for health issues before they start school so if they do have cavities, then the cavities can be fixed and children will be well-rested, able to eat, and ready to learn!
Yes, It is Michigan law that children are also screened for hearing and vision, prior to Kindergarten entry. These screenings are conducted to make sure students can see and hear in the classroom, so they are able to learn. It is now required children have a dental assessment before kindergarten or the first year of school.
This law is specifically for students entering Kindergarten, but it is highly recommended that all kids see a dentist at least once a year.
Local health departments provide free kindergarten dental assessments to children getting ready to enter kindergarten at places like preschools, Head Start programs, school enrollment events, and community assessment events before the start of kindergarten. Or, dentists can do the assessment — caregivers take the KOHA Assessment Form to their dentist to have them fill out and then return a copy to the school.
There is no cost for the dental assessment. There is no cost to you if the local health department does the assessment.
A dental professional will look into your child’s mouth and note what they see on the KOHA Assessment Form. No treatment is done — it’s simply a quick look in the mouth. They will let you know if your child needs to see a dentist.
The results of the oral health assessment will be provided to the parent or guardian, and the school. If a child has signs of cavities parents will be provided with a list of dentists accepting children. The school will also be notified of children with urgent dental needs.
