California legislation (California Education Code Section 49452.8) requires that a Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) be completed for all children entering public school for the first time (at kindergarten or first grade). The forms must be completed by a licensed dental professional and submitted to the child’s school at the beginning of their first year in public school.
Dental providers play an important role in helping families complete the form and increasing KOHA screening rates for San Mateo County children. Please complete the KOHA screening for all children entering public school for the first time (at kindergarten or first grade). Just:
● Download the KOHA forms for San Mateo County in English and Spanish here
● Print out copies so you have them ready for dental visits with pediatric patients who are entering kindergarten or first grade (children 4-6 years of age).
● Have the patient’s parent or guardian fill out Section 1 of the KOHA form. Then you as the Dental Provider fill out Sections 2 and 3 .
● The family should be instructed to submit the completed form to the child’s school. This should be done immediately after the visit.
For more information about KOHA, visit SMC's Oral Public Health Program webpage here, or the California Dental Association KOHA webpage here.