Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Required Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment

Information related to Education Code Section 49452.8, which requires public school students to have an oral health assessment no later than May 31 of their first year of school enrollment.

The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) requirement was passed into law in 2005 by Assembly Bill 1433 (AB1433) under the California Education Code (EC) Section 49452.8. In 2025, Assembly Bill 2630 External link opens in new window or tab. amended the law to specify “Kindergarten” includes both transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten, requiring children enrolled in public school for their first year in TK, kindergarten or by first grade to have an oral health screening completed by a licensed dental professional.

Note: TK students that receive an oral health screening do not have to repeat the oral health screening at kindergarten or first grade for the purposes of this law. However, it is recommended that children receive regular dental care to improve school success, reduce chronic absences, and improve their overall health.

The law also requires specific KOHA data be collected by school staff annually and submitted to the county office of education. The database developed for KOHA data is called the System for California Oral Health Reporting (SCOHR) External link opens in new window or tab. .

California Education Code Section 49452.8 External link opens in new window or tab.
Requires students enrolled in kindergarten in a public school, or in first grade if not previously enrolled in kindergarten, to present proof of having received an oral health assessment within 12 months of initial enrollment. Report of oral assessment is due to the school no later than May 31st of the school year.

Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Report Requirements External link opens in new window or tab.

EC Section 49452.8 states that all school districts shall submit a report annually by July 1st to the county office of education of the county in which the school district is located.

Sample Forms

Oral Health Assessment - CalEdFacts
Part of California Department of Education's information and media guide about education in the State of California.

Questions:   Office of School-Based Health Programs | OSBHP@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-6277
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, April 02, 2025
Recently Posted in Health
  • Administration of Albuterol Inhalers (added 27-Mar-2025)
    Minimum training standards for the administration of stock albuterol inhalers in accordance with Education Code Section 49414.7
  • Pool Safety Guidelines (added 25-Mar-2025)
    Best practices recommendations to promote pool safety and mitigate risks associated with aquatic activities in California K-12 schools.