Dental Health Services

Dental cavities remain the number one chronic childhood disease in the United States and are responsible for 51 million missed school hours nationally each year. Children with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school due to infection and pain linked to dental cavities. Oral health problems can make it difficult for children to eat, speak, sleep or even socialize. All of this is fully preventable with access to a dentist and education on good oral hygiene. Public Act 261 ensures that children in Michigan have access to dental care that will help them succeed.

Any Michigan child entering their first year of school.

The assessment takes approximately two to three minutes to complete and will identify any sign of possible dental health related issues. The assessment is not intended to take the place of a child’s routine dental visit.

The KOHA form asks if a child received a dental exam or assessment. This language is for dental providers. Only a dentist can complete a dental exam. Dentists, dental hygienists, or dental therapists can complete a school dental health assessment. Only one dental provider needs to complete the assessment. The assessment is not intended to take the place of a child’s routine dental visit.

After the school dental health assessment is completed by a dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist, the provider should complete the MDHHS Dental Health Assessment form. The parent can return the completed form to the school. The form can be found here (Español).

School dental health assessments will identify students who may have dental health related issues and connect them to follow-up care. This is particularly important for students in families who may experience barriers to obtaining routine dental care.

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) will provide free dental health assessments. Staff from OCDPH will complete the assessment form and return it to the parent at the time of the assessment.

If a child has a routine dental visit scheduled with their dentist between April and August, the assessment and form can be completed at that appointment.

The KOHA Program only includes children entering their first year of school. However, it is highly recommended that all children see a dentist at least once a year.

The OCDPH Miles of Smiles mobile unit provides preventive and restorative dental services for financially qualifying uninsured and Medicaid Healthy Kids Dental (HKD)-insured children in Ottawa County. OCDPH also has a partnership with My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) to ensure healthy mouths, regardless of insurance status or income. HKD is available to children who have Medicaid and are under the age of 21. A parent or guardian can enroll at Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental Program.

If a child has one or more suspicious areas, they will need to be examined by a dentist to make a treatment plan. The person who completes the child’s dental health assessment will be able to refer the child for follow up care.

Schools should notify parents about the need for school dental health assessments, the dates and times of school-sponsored events and OCDPH dental health assessment clinics where the assessment can be completed. Schools can also assist by encouraging parents to complete their child’s assessment before the start of school. School districts are required to compile and submit a school summary of assessments to MDHHS by November 1st of each year, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

Yes. Michigan Public Health Code Act 368, Part 93 requires a child entering their first year of school have a hearing and vision screening and provide proof of the screening to the school.