Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA)

Children entering kindergarten for the 2025/2026 school year will be required to have a dental screening.

A child’s dental screening can be done prior to entering kindergarten, but no earlier than 6 months prior to the start of the school year.  

The dental screening is simple and fast. A dental professional will look into your child’s mouth and note what they see on the KOHA Assessment Form. No treatment is done. The dental professional will communicate if your child needs to see a dentist for further follow-up.

Dental problems can cause pain and make it difficult for children to pay attention in school, prevent them from eating and sleeping well, and even affect their ability to speak and socialize. All of this can affect a child’s ability to learn and do well in school.

Children benefit from having a dental screening before starting school to check for any dental problems that need to be fixed so that they start school ready to learn.

Additional information about the Michigan KOHA requirements can be found by visiting: Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA)

There is no-cost for the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) dental screening if done by the provider contracted by the Midland County Department of Public Health at a scheduled screening event.

• Follow-up services recommended as a results of the dental screening are at the discretion of the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s), and are the financial responsibility of the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s).

If you choose to have the dental screening completed by your dental provider, contact your dental practice to determine if there is a fee.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for getting their child’s dental screening completed, but have a few options:

1.    The Midland County Department of Public Health has partnered with Great Lakes Bay Health Center to offer a no-cost dental screening for incoming Midland County kindergarteners.

• All schools will be contacted by the Great Lakes Bay Health Center Mobile Bus staff, or by the Midland County Department of Public Health with further details as the 2025-2026 school year approaches.

2.    If your child has a dental home, their dentist can complete the dental screening using the KOHA Assessment Form NO EARLIER THAN 6 months prior to the start of school.

Be sure to take a completed form to your child's school.

Please note- check with your dental practice to determine if there is a fee associated with the dental assessment, as each dental practice may bill at their discretion.

There will be opportunities for Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) dental screening throughout the year at various locations throughout Midland County. 

The dates/times/locations will be shared with pre-schools/schools and posted on the Midland County Department of Public Health’s website.

No. The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) screening must be completed no earlier than 6 months prior to when the child enters Kindergarten.  

No. Homeschooled children can be screened, but it is not required at this time.  

• You can check the Michigan Oral Health Directory for a list of low- and no-cost dental providers by county: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/childrenfamilies/familyhealth/oralhealth.
• If your child does not have dental insurance, they may be eligible for the Michigan Healthy Kids Dental Program: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/healthcare/childrenteens/hkdental
• The Midland County Department of Public Health can provide a list of dental providers in Midland County. 

Children cannot be excluded from enrolling in or attending school if the dental screening is not completed prior to the start of the school year. 

There may be opportunities during the kindergarten school year for students to get a dental screening, in an effort to reach children who did not have it done prior to the start of school.

The dental screening requirement is only for children entering kindergarten, but it is highly recommended that all children see a dentist at least once a year.

Call the Midland County Department of Public Health during business hours at 989-832-6651.

General questions can be e-mailed to MCDPH@co.midland.mi.us, however, messages should not include personal medical information.