Filling You In on Oral Health Assessment Requirements

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) demands the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth! Recently, the Michigan Legislature passed Public Act 316 of 2023, which amends the Public Health Code to require a child’s parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis (i.e., the person legally responsible for the child) to provide a dental oral assessment for the child before the child’s first school enrollment.

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, a parent registering a child for the first time in kindergarten or first grade must have the child undergo a dental oral assessment (i.e., dental screening). The assessment must occur within six months before the start of school.

This assessment can be conducted by: (1) a dentist or dental hygienist selected by the parent, (2) a qualified professional working through the local health department, or (3) at a pre-enrollment event (i.e., school registration). An assessment done at a local health department is free. If follow-up is necessary, the dental professional must give the parent a written statement that further treatments are required.

At the time of school registration or not later than the first day of school, a parent must provide to the school either a written statement on MDHHS Form-6067 from the dental professional or a written statement of exemption stating this requirement violates the parent’s personal religious beliefs. If the required statements are not provided, a school cannot exclude a child from attendance.

The school must keep a record of each child’s assessment. Beginning in 2024, by November 1 of each year, the principal or administrator of each school must give MDHHS a summary of dental reports at the time new kindergarten and first grade students enter school. The reports must be on forms provided by MDHHS, which have not yet been created.

MDHHS further encourages schools to include information about dental assessments and the MDHHS Form 6067 in school registration packets and other distribution channels (i.e., social media, parent letters) to raise awareness about the requirements and the importance of good oral health.

For more information about the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) Program, please visit the MDHHS KOHA website or contact MDHHS at MDHHS-KOHA@michigan.gov.