Resources for Partners
Are your young students or patients ready for Kindergarten?
Have you heard?
In December 2020, Michigan passed a new law to ensure children entering kindergarten or the first year of school has a dental assessment prior to starting school. The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) aims to improve school readiness and raise awareness of the importance 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 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 (The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program) law.
I'm an Educator/Staff
School districts are required to submit school assessment data to MDHHS by November 1st of each year. Instructions for school district reporting of dental assessment data will be announced once the reporting mechanism is implemented. There is no reporting due for the 2022-2023 school year.
Invite us to provide assessments at your school- at a pre-enrollment event/round-up, health fair or open house. Schedule a time to chat or contact Shelby (STacey@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. You will need to complete the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) or 3305 form and give a copy of the completed form to the child’s parent or guardian. Identify children in your schedule age 5 or 6 and likely entering school for the first time and be sure to fill out either the MDHHS Health Appraisal form. Perform an assessment or dental exam and complete the KOHA/3305 form and provide a copy to the parent or guardian.
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 Shelby (STacey@mydental.org).
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
In December 2020, Michigan passed a new law to ensure children entering kindergarten or the first year of school have a dental assessment prior to starting school. The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) aims to improve school readiness and raise awareness of the importance of good oral health.
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 Shelby (STacey@mydental.org).
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!
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 recommended 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.
If an oral health assessment is completed during the school day where parent or guardian is not present – a KOHA Assessment form, Section 2– Dental Exam or Assessment will need to be completed by professionals, such as a doctor and dentist. Completed assessment forms or KOHA Assessment forms should be collected by or turned in to the school.
In Section V of the MDHHS Health Appraisal form, it asks if a child received a dental exam or dental assessment. This is language specific to dental providers, a dentist completes a dental exam, and dental hygienists/ dental therapists will complete a dental assessment. You only need to have one dental provider complete this service.
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.
Any dentist, dental therapist or registered dental hygienist licensed in Michigan can complete this form.
