Is your child ready for Kindergarten?
Good Oral Health Improves School Readiness
Children entering Kindergarten, or their first year of school, are required to have a dental assessment completed.
[Public Act 316 of 2023]
What is the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA)?
Michigan created the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) to improve school readiness and raise awareness of the importance of good oral health.
Why is it so important?
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children.
Children with poor dental health are three times more likely to miss school which can affect grades and overall performance in school.
Partnerships
My Community Dental Centers, in partnership with the Health Departments of Allegan County, Bay County, Sanilac County, the City of Detroit, Kent County, and Ionia County, are providing assessments at pre-enrollment and community events. Don’t see your county listed? My Community Dental Centers is committed to being a dental home for Michigan families, offering children dental assessments at regular dental visits throughout the state of Michigan.
Click on the button below to learn more about our partnership with the Allegan County Health Department and how we can keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!
Click on the button below to learn more about our partnership with the Bay County Health Department and how we can keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!
Click on the button below to learn more about our partnership with the Sanilac County Health Department and how we can keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!
Click on the button below to learn more about our partnership with the City of Detroit Health Department and how we can keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!
Click on the button below to learn more about our partnership with the Ionia Health Department and how we can keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!
Click on the button below to learn more about our partnership with the Kent County Health Department and how we can keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!
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!
A comprehensive oral exam is done by dentist and includes x-rays. An oral health assessment is a 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
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 completed.
Assessments will be provided at no cost to you.
This law is specifically for children entering Kindergarten, but it is highly recommended that all children see a dentist at least twice a year.
If you learn your child has a cavity or cavities, they will need to have the cavities filled. A cavity does not stop growing on its own, it will need to be treated by a dentist. The person who completes your student’s assessment or exam will provide you with a list of dentists accepting patients.
We can help! My Community Dental Centers is providing assessments for children at community events.
If you have already visited your dental provider, contact them to send your child’s completed dental assessment to your child’s school.
If your child is in need of dental care, you can download a list of dental providers in your county’s webpage linked above.
Assessments will be provided at no cost to you.
There are a variety of ways to have kids in Michigan seen by a dentist or dental professional. Consider enrolling in Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental Program and contacting your Local Health Department for help finding a dental home. Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental Program: Healthy Kids Dental Program (michigan.gov)
Pre-schoolers- Can be seen no earlier than March 1st prior to the start of their Kindergarten school year.
Kindergarteners- All Kindergarteners are eligible for KOHA starting March 1st-the last day of the Kindergarten school year.
1st Grade- If a child enters the school system directly into 1st grade, they will also need an assessment completed.
Young 5’s- Not considered as eligible by MDHHS until March 1st (same as pre-school requirement)
