Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment

The kindergarten oral health assessment (KOHA) ensures all children are healthy and ready for school. Similar to school screenings for vision and hearing, California has a law that strongly encourages children receive an oral health screening as part of school entry by their first year of school in either kindergarten or first grade. There are two ways to complete the screening, either at a dental office or through a school program.

New KOHA forms were developed in the summer of 2022 and are available on the System for California Oral Health Reporting (SCOHR) website and on our SCOHR support page. The updates have clarified some of the wording on the forms and have changed some of the formatting, but most of the content is the same as the old forms. A SCOHR training video, user manual, and comprehensive FAQs have guidance for entering data from the old and new forms. Similarly, historical data from previous school years can also be entered into SCOHR. All this information is also hosted on the SCOHR website (note: you may have to login to access them), including registration links to upcoming trainings. COHTAC will also post trainings on our events page as they are scheduled.

Interim Spanish versions of these forms, translated by San Mateo County (SMC), can be accessed here.

For promotional materials for schools and providers, including letter templates, talking points, and other resources, please visit our KOHA page. 

KOHA FAQs

Why is the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment important?

Dental Screenings:

  • Help to identify children who need dental care.
  • Informs parents to take positive action.
  • Helps to avoid future problems and missed school days.

Provides data to: 

  • Track progress with respect to children's oral health.
  • Increase awareness about the importance of oral health.
  • Inform the community to address the unmet needs.
  • Plan public health programs.
How do I find a local Champion? 

We encourage you to find local champions to partner with schools.Teachers, school nurses, principals, parents, and other active community members can make great champions. Often, schools hold parent nights and coffee socials that are open to the community that promote health. By attending school social activites, you can be present and, in time, find someone to lead the effort. 

How can the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment help children be ready for school? 
  • Children with dental pain miss more school and have lower grades than children without dental pain.
  • Children with tooth decay may have pain, difficulty eating, stop smiling, and have problems paying attention and learning at school.
  • Baby teeth are very important to eat, talk, smile, and feel good about themselves.
  • Schools can promote equity by helping children find a dental home. 
  • Parents/guardians and school staff can learn about good oral health.
What is the difference between an oral health screening and a dental exam?

An oral health screening is a “lift the lip” check of the teeth and surrounding tissues of the mouth to see if there are any signs of tooth decay. A screening does not take the place of an exam completed by a dentist and does not involve making diagnoses that lead to treatment plans. No x-rays are needed for an assessment. They usually take 2-3 minutes and, if done outside the dental office, are done without dental instruments or dental lights.

A dental exam is a thorough oral examination performed by a dentist, that may include dental X–rays. A dental exam also includes a: health history, social history and an opportunity to provide dental health information. Only a licensed dentist can complete a dental exam. 

How do the state Education Codes support the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment?

The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment was passed into law under the Education Code Section 49452.8 in 2005 by Assembly Bill (AB) 1433 and later amended by Senate Bill (SB) 379 in 2017. The ultimate goal of the legislation is to connect children with a regular source of dental care. 

The Local Control Funding Formula gives schools the flexibility to spend money on school priorities. Student engagement and chronic absenteeism are listed as one (1) of the state's eight (8) priorities where oral health is positioned to lift students to be healthier and ready to learn. 

How can local health jurisdictions, schools and providers help promote the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment? 

Schools: the law requires schools to distribute the Oral Health Assessment Form to parents who are registering their child in public school for the first time, in either kindergarten or first grade. Schools must collect the Oral Health Assessment Forms by May 31st of the school year and are responsible to report totals to their district by July 1st of the same school year.

Schools, School Districts, County of Education or Public Health Departments: submit their individual school data to their district office by the end of the current school year (June) or to data system designated by the State Dental Director, called the System for Oral Health Reporting (SCOHR). 

Local Health Juristictions: partner with school districts to provide collaboration, coordination, and resources to schools to complete the Oral Health Assessment. note: A Memoradum of Understanding (MOU) may be needed to work with school districts (See MOU template here). 

Parents: provide consent (passive or active) to have their child screened for the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Form. 

Providers: Dentists (DDS), Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH), and Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternate Practice (RDHAP) can complete the oral health screening. Note: a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF) can complete the oral health screening under direct supervision in a school setting.