Resources for Partners
Are your young students or patients ready for Kindergarten?
Have you heard?
Children entering Kindergarten, or their first year of school, are required to have a dental assessment completed.
[Public Act 316 of 2023]
The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) has the goal of promoting school readiness and increasing awareness on 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 potential oral health problems, and help establish 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 Bay County 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 Program
I'm an Educator/Staff
Children entering Kindergarten, or their first year of school, are required to have a dental assessment completed.
[Public Act 316 of 2023]
Schools should include dental assessment information and the KOHA Assessment Form in registration packets, and promote assessments through various channels.
School districts are required to submit dental assessment data to MDHHS by November 1st of each year. Schools will utilize the dental “check box” located in the student’s MCIR record.
Invite us to provide assessments at your school’s pre-enrollment events, round-ups, health fairs, or open houses.
Contact a KOHA Program Coordinator to learn more:
KOHA_BCY@mydental.org
(989) 630-0765
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.
Identify children in your schedule age 5 or 6 that are likely entering school for the first time. If a child is already a patient of record and has had an examination within 6 months prior to the start of school, the results of that exam will satisfy the new law. Results should be documented on the KOHA Assessment Form. You will need to complete the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) Form and give a copy of the completed form to the child’s parent or guardian to turn into their child’s school.
Download the MDHHS-6280 Form located at the bottom of the webpage under Resources.
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.
Contact a program coordinator at KOHA_BCY@mydental.org with any questions you may have, or to learn more about the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program.
I'm a Community Partner
Children entering Kindergarten, or their first year of school, are required to have a dental assessment completed.
[Public Act 316 of 2023]
The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) aims to improve school readiness and raise awareness on the importance of good oral health.
Join us in raising awareness among caregivers, educators, and community partners about the KOHA Law. Invite us to pre-enrollment events, round-ups, health fairs or open houses to provide dental assessments. Dental assessments can also be done at a private dental office.
Contact a KOHA Program Coordinator to learn more:
KOHA_BCY@mydental.org
(989) 630-0765
Consider assisting families with enrolling their student in Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental program, by visiting: tinyurl.com/5n854fwy
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?
Contact our team to get started!
Contact Us!
KOHA_BCY@mydental.org
(989) 630-0765
FAQ
Dental cavities are the #1 most common chronic childhood disease and can cause pain. Cavities can prevent children from eating and can keep them awake at night, both eating and sleeping 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 that children have a dental assessment completed before Kindergarten, or their 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 twice a year.
Local health departments provide free dental assessments to children getting ready to enter Kindergarten, or their first year of school, at places like preschools, Head Start programs, school enrollment events, and community assessment events before the start of the school year. Caregivers can also take the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Form to their child’s dental provider, have them fill out the form and return a copy to their child’s school.
There is no cost to have the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment completed at a school or community event.
A comprehensive dental exam is done by a dentist and includes x-rays. A dental assessment is a quick visual look in the mouth to identify obvious problems, no x-rays, and is done by a registered dental hygienist or dental therapist at schools or community events. You only need to have one dental provider complete this service.
The results of the oral health assessment are confidential and will be provided to the parent or guardian in a sealed envelope. If the provider observes dental concerns that need further evaluation in a dental office setting, the parent or guardian will also be provided with a list of local dental offices that they may contact to schedule their child for a comprehensive dental exam. The school will only be notified that the child had a dental assessment completed.
Any dentist, dental therapist or registered dental hygienist licensed in Michigan can complete the KOHA Form. Please find the KOHA Assessment Form (MDHHS-6280) at the bottom of the webpage located under Resources here.
Pre-schoolers- Can be assessed no earlier than March 1st prior to the start of their Kindergarten school year.
Young 5’s– Not considered as eligible by MDHHS until March 1st prior to the start of their Kindergarten school year.
Kindergarteners- All Kindergarteners are eligible to be assessed starting March 1st through the end of their Kindergarten school year.
1st Grade- If a child enters the school system directly into 1st grade, they will also need an assessment completed no earlier than March 1st through the end of their 1st grade school year.
