Kindergarten Oral Health Assessments
Finding and fixing tooth problems early can help children succeed in school. This is why Macomb County established the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) Program.
All kids starting Kindergarten in the 2025-2026 school year must have a dental screening. Screenings can occur up to six months prior to the beginning of the school year, or during the kindergarten school year. Screenings can be completed by your child’s dentist or through the Macomb County Health Department (MCHD).
MCHD will begin offering screenings in the summer of 2025 and will begin working with schools for onsite screenings in the fall of 2025.
Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Information
Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) will begin providing screenings in the summer of 2025 at school enrollment events, community screening events, or by appointment. 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. There is no cost to you if MCHD completes the assessment.
If your child sees a dentist regularly, you can have the form completed during their dental visit. The KOHA Assessment form will need to be completed by your dentist or hygienist.
Watch this page for more information as the start of the school year gets closer.
Public Act 316 of 2023 was enacted to improve oral health of Michigan children and increase school readiness. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, all children in Michigan enrolling into their first year of school are required to have an oral health assessment (dental screening). These assessments were previously optional. Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) will begin offering Kindergarten oral health assessments in the summer of 2025.
It is critical that staff are aware that children cannot be barred from enrolling in or attending school if the dental assessment is not completed prior to the start of the school year. Reference language can be found in Section 333.9316 (6) of the public health code: MCL - Section 333.9316 - Michigan Legislature. School districts are required to report completed individual screenings in MCIR each fall. This screening can be completed by a child’s dentist or through the MCHD starting in the summer of 2025.
Schools should share information on the need for dental assessments through enrollment packets, websites, fliers, social media or however you communicate with your families.
MCHD will reach out to schools before and during the 2025-2026 school year to begin scheduling in-school screenings for pre-school and Kindergarten students. These screenings will be conducted like hearing and vision screenings and will only require a few minutes per student.
The required Kindergarten Oral Health 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 six months before the start of school, the results of that exam will satisfy the new law. You will need to complete the KOHA Assessment form and give a copy of the completed form to the child’s parent or guardian.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program
What is the connection between good oral health and well-being?
If uncontrolled, bacteria in the mouth can multiply and enter the bloodstream, affecting other parts of the body. Gum disease, in particular, has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory ailments, and even Alzheimer's disease. Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent diseases in America.
Good oral health means that you practice good oral hygiene. Following good oral hygiene habits maintains the health of your gums and teeth. You should brush twice a day, floss daily between the teeth to remove dental plaque, and visit your dentist at least once a year. Children should have their first dental visit by 1-year-old. Good oral health also means abstaining from tobacco products.
Good oral health reduces the risk of other health conditions
Failing to brush and floss your teeth regularly increases your risk of gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease). This leads to bleeding, swelling, bad breath, loss of teeth, and other problems.
Regular brushing and flossing decreases the risk of tooth decay. Individuals who consume sugary foods and neglect to brush and floss their teeth are more prone to developing cavities which could lead to tooth loss.
Studies report that oral health impacts cardiovascular health. The research shows that those with significant dental issues suffer more heart attacks than those without.
Poor oral health has a link to diabetes. The reason they are linked is gum disease. When you have gum disease, it makes the sugar in your blood go up and elevated sugar is a sign of diabetes.
If you suspect that you are at risk for diabetes or already have been diagnosed with it, good oral hygiene is very important for you.
Some research has found that when your teeth and gums are not healthy, it can affect your lungs. As the gums become red and swollen, and bad bacteria increases, it can travel to the lungs. These germs can remain in your lungs and cause infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Not taking care of your teeth may also be connected to Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies suggest that the bacteria associated with periodontal disease is also associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Resources
Community First Dental Center - New Haven
Offering the following services:
- Teeth Cleanings
- Fluoride Treatments
- Sealants
- Extractions
- X-Rays
- Crowns
- Root Canals
- Partials and dentures
- Additional services available, call for details
Our highly qualified dental providers offer a wide variety of services that are available to the whole family! We welcome most commercial insurance plans, Medicaid and Medicaid Health Plans, Medicare and Medicare Health Plans, and have a sliding fee program available for those who qualify!
Dental Hygiene Clinic at Macomb Community College
Offering the following services:
- Dental Cleanings
- Fluoride Treatments
- Athletic Guards
- X-rays
- Teeth Whitening
- Sealants
- Gum Disease Treatments
Trinity Community Care - Shelby Township
Dental clinic is open the second and fourth Friday and Sunday of every month. The hours are 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Provides free dental services to those in need except those under 19 years old.
Services include:
- Exams
- Cleanings
- X-Rays
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Scaling (deep cleaning)
- Fluoride Treatments
- Dentures
- Partials
Center Line - 586-467-0980
Mount Clemens - 586-783-2222
The dental clinic offers a full range of dental services at low cost, including:
- Exams
- Cleanings
- X-Rays
- Fillings
- Emergency Exams
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Fluoride Treatments
- Sealants
- Dentures
- Simple and Surgical Extractions
University of Michigan Dental School - Delta Dental Special Care Clinic
The U-M Special Care Clinic in Ann Arbor is now open and accepting new patients. The clinic provides care for patients ages 16 and up and is designed to accommodate patient care where standard dental operations can be challenging.
This clinic has been designed to provide care for patients with the following types of conditions:
- Cerebral palsy, development/intellectual disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (mild to moderate)
- Acquired cognitive disabilities: dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury, progressive neuro logic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease
- Physical disabilities that limit mobility, vision or hearing
- Chronic medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, renal failure, COPD
- Immunologically-mediated diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome
- Chronic pain syndrome