What California Requires
Under California Education Code Section 49452.8, every child entering public school for the first time — kindergarten, or first grade if they skipped public kindergarten — must have an oral health assessment performed by a licensed dental professional. The rules in plain terms:
- The assessment must be documented on the state's Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment form (it comes in your school registration packet).
- An assessment done within the 12 months before your child starts school counts.
- The completed form is due to the school by May 31 of the first school year.
A back-to-school checkup covers the requirement with nine months to spare. One visit: real exam, certified form, done.
How It Works at Coastal Kids
- Book a checkup and mention the kindergarten form. Any of our five San Diego offices, online or by phone. New patients welcome — for many families this is the first dental visit, and that's a great way to do it.
- Bring the form from your school packet — or don't. We keep copies of the state form on hand in English and Spanish.
- We complete, certify, and hand it back. The assessment is part of the standard exam — no separate procedure, no extra appointment. You turn the certified form in to the school and you're done.
For Schools, Preschools & PTAs
School health offices and parent organizations: you're welcome to share this page directly with families — the link is coastalkidsdo.com/kindergarten-dental-form. Our offices in Carmel Valley, Kearny Mesa, Santee, Eastlake, and South Bay all complete KOHA forms at standard checkups, accept most insurance including Medi-Cal, and serve families in English and Spanish. Questions from school staff are always welcome at (619) 562-5437.
Get the Form Done This Month
One checkup covers the state requirement — exam, certified KOHA form, and a healthy start for your kindergartner. 5 San Diego locations.
Book a Checkup →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA)?
California law (Education Code Section 49452.8) requires every child entering public school for the first time — kindergarten or first grade — to have an oral health assessment performed by a licensed dental professional. The assessment must have been done within the 12 months before your child starts school, and the state's KOHA form documenting it is due to the school by May 31 of that first school year.
When is the KOHA form due?
By May 31 of your child's first year in public school. Most families handle it at the start of the school year during registration season — an assessment done within the 12 months before school entry counts, so a back-to-school checkup covers it.
How do I get the form completed at Coastal Kids?
Book a regular checkup at any of our five San Diego offices and mention the kindergarten form when you schedule. Bring the KOHA form from your school's registration packet if you have it — if not, we keep copies on hand. Our dentists complete the assessment during the visit and certify the form, and you turn it in to the school. There is no separate appointment or extra procedure — it is part of a standard exam.
What does the assessment cost? Does insurance cover it?
The assessment happens as part of a normal dental checkup, which most dental insurance plans — including Medi-Cal and Smile California — cover as a routine preventive visit. Our team verifies your benefits before the appointment so you know exactly what to expect.
What if my child has never seen a dentist before?
This is a very common way for families to have a first dental visit, and it is a great one — your child gets the required form plus a real exam, cleaning guidance, and a decay-risk assessment from a board-certified pediatric specialist. New patients are always welcome at all five offices.
Can the form be completed in Spanish?
Yes. Our teams provide care in English and Spanish at every location, from scheduling to the exam itself, and we can walk you through the form in either language. Visite nuestro sitio en español →