California ranks 44th in the nation on children’s oral health status. 

To address these disparities, California signed into law the Oral Health Assessment requirement (AB 1433) in 2005 as a way for schools to help children stay healthy. AB 1433 requires that children entering public school for the first time (at TK, kindergarten, or first grade) have an oral health assessment performed by a licensed dentist or registered dental hygienist within 12 months prior to or by May 31 of the child’s first year in public school.

The requirement for children entering kindergarten or first grade to have an oral health assessment is intended to:

• Raise awareness about the relationship between oral health, overall health, and readiness to learn
• Connect children with dental professionals who can care for their oral health
• Encourage eligible families to enroll in Medi-Cal Dental
• Identify barriers to care to assist families in responding to their children’s oral health needs; and
• Provide data to support oral health advocacy.

   

Resources

• Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment form
• School Oral Health Programs & KOHA