A Child with a Healthy Smile is Ready for School

Dental disease is one of the most common reasons for school absences. It can make it hard for children to concentrate and learn. Having a healthy mouth helps a child do well in school.

To make sure a child is ready for school, California law AB 1433, signed into law in 2006, requires that a child have an oral health assessment or dental check-up in his or her first year in public school (kindergarten or first grade).

The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) helps schools identify children suffering from untreated dental disease and helps parents establish a dental home for their children. A completed KOHA by a licensed dental professional meets this requirement.

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Oral Health and School Readiness

In 2018, over 440,000 of California K-12 students missed school due to dental problems. Developing good dental health habits at an early age, including regular dental visits, can help a child’s attendance, school grades, and a lifetime of healthy smiles. Help promote and reinforce the benefits of good oral health in childhood.

Click on the links below to view resources from Smile, California on oral health and school readiness:

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