What about Transitional Kindergarteners (TK): should they complete the KOHA?
- Kindergarteners can complete the KOHA no earlier than 12 months prior to enrollment, or during their kindergarten school year (as long as it is submitted before May 31st or the end of the school year, whichever date comes first). Therefore, TK students can complete KOHA and “have it count” to satisfy the KOHA mandate when they get to kindergarten.
- However, the data for TK students should not be entered into the SCOHR database until the end of the following school year, which will be their kindergarten year. TK forms collected during the school year should be separated from the K grade forms returned, and organized by school staff so that they can be entered into the database at the end of the next school year, the child’s kindergarten year.
Can schools still use old forms?
- No, the new form has additional information that the old forms do not have. This new information helps assure children with urgent care needs receive follow up. Also, the information on the new form aligns with data entry into SCOHR. There is an effort across the state to share information and use this information to address gaps.
How is the KOHA requirement different from the first grade health evaluation requirement?
- First grade health evaluation: must be completed by a licensed medical professional within eighteen months prior to entering first grade. While it asks briefly about dental care, it is not a full dental screening like the KOHA.
- KOHA: must be completed by a licensed dental professional (dentist or dental hygienist), is only for public school students, and must be completed by kindergarteners and first-time first graders.
- BOTH the first grade health exam and KOHA are required.
On the KOHA form, Section 2, what do the “treatment urgency” levels mean?
- 1 - No obvious problem found: The child has no obvious dental problems and should continue to have routine examinations by their dentist every 6 months.
- 2 - Early dental care recommended: The child has a tooth or teeth that should be checked by their dentist. They may benefit from sealants. The child’s parent/guardian should contact the child’s dentist who will determine whether treatment is needed.
- 3 - Urgent care needed: The child has a tooth or teeth that appear to need immediate care, as there is pain, infection, or swelling. The child’s parent/guardian should contact the child’s dentist as soon as possible for a complete evaluation.
What if a child does not have a dental care provider or his/her family cannot afford an oral health assessment?
- All children should obtain an oral health assessment from a licensed dental professional. If a child does not have a regular source of dental care or if their family cannot afford an oral health assessment, the family should contact the Local Oral Health Program or school health staff for assistance in finding dental care. Some schools host free on-site KOHA screening days provided by dental professionals. These professionals may also provide other services like sealants for children. Parents/caregivers can check with their child’s school to see if these services are available.
What if a parent/guardian is unable to get an oral health assessment for their child?
- The law recognizes that it may not be possible to get the required dental checkup for a child. On rare occasions, a parent/guardian may have their child excused from the requirement by filling out the Oral Health Assessment Waiver Form. To waive the assessment, the parent/guardian must identify on the form what prevented them from getting the dental checkup for the child (i.e., I am unable to find a dental office that will take my child’s dental insurance plan, or I cannot afford a dental checkup, etc.). This information is very important and must be included. The waiver request must be submitted by May 31st or the end of the school year (whichever date occurs first).
FAQs and answers from COHTAC about KOHA
KOHA FAQs
FAQs and answers from COHTAC about SCOHR
SCOHR information and FAQs
