Oral Health Assessment Requirement

To make sure your child is ready for school, California law, Education Code Section 49452.8 now requires that your child have an oral health assessment (dental check-up) by May 31 in either kindergarten or first grade, whichever is his or her first year in public school. Assessments that have happened within the 12 months before your child enters school also meet this requirement. The law specifies that the assessment must be done by a licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional.

An Oral Health Assessment/Waiver Request form is available in your child's school health office. Please take this form to your dental office when your child receives the exam. If you cannot take your child for this required assessment, please indicate the reason for this in Section 3 of the form.

The following resources will help you find a dentist and complete this requirement for your child:

0. Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal's toll-free number can help you to find a dentist who takes Denti-Cal: 1-800-322-6384, For help enrolling your child in Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services at 1-877-597-4777.
0. Healthy Families' toll-free number can help you to find a dentist who takes Healthy Families insurance or to find out if your child can enroll in the program: 1-800-880-5305. Appointments to complete a Healthy Families Application can be obtained by calling the Family Resource Center at (909) 397-5045.
0. For additional resources, please contact your school nurse or the Family Resource Center at (909) 397-5045. If you qualify financially, you may be eligible for low cost resources, including the Assistance League of Pomona Valley Dental Center. Your school nurse can assist you in completing an application.