Oral Health Assessments for California Schoolchildren

Policy Statement

The need to improve the oral health of California’s children is well documented. The 2000 Surgeon General’s report, Oral Health in America, identifies children as an underserved population in need of more resources and oral health care. The 2005 California Oral Health Needs Assessment reported 54% of kindergarteners and 71% of third graders have a history of tooth decay and more than 25% of elementary school children have untreated decay.  Furthermore, caries disproportionately affects children of migrants, in lower socioeconomic strata, and certain racial/ethnic groups.

To address children’s oral health, several states have passed legislation mandating oral health exams or assessments upon school entry.  In 2006, CDA sponsored AB 1433 (Emmerson/Laird) making California one of eight states that mandate oral health assessments.  This landmark legislation requires children to have an oral health assessment by May 31 of their first year in public school, at kindergarten or first grade. Dental check-ups that occurred within the 12 months prior to the start of school fulfill this requirement. If parents are unable to obtain an oral health assessment for their child, they may sign a waiver excusing them from this requirement.

The goal of AB 1433 is to establish a regular source of dental care for every child, identify children who need dental treatment, and to identify barriers to receiving care.

The 2007-08 school-year is the second year of AB 1433 implementation. Collaborative efforts across the state have helped many children obtain a check-up and find care.  CDA continues to provide support for the implementation of this bill in a number of ways. 

• CDA formed a workgroup with stakeholders representing education, health care, the dental profession, the state and county, and others to aid implementation.  CDA hosted two meetings in 2007. 
• CDA partnered with ADA to develop a media campaign promoting AB 1433. 
• Radio spots featuring the voice talent of Assembly Members and Senators aired March through May 2007 in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
• 15 to 60 second television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) featuring Kristi Yamaguchi will air during the 2007-08 school year.
• City buses in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego feature interior PSAs informing parents of the law and directing them to CDA for more information.  The signs are in English and Spanish, as well as English and Chinese in a portion of San Francisco.
• Press events at select schools around the state highlight AB 1433 efforts and continue to draw attention to the law.
• To increase understanding and decrease barriers to compliance, CDA representatives speak at local and state meetings about AB 1433, write articles for the CDA Update, and disseminate information via the website and trainings.   

AB 1433 will prove to have a significant impact on children’s oral health.  This law is California’s vehicle to identify children with unmet oral health needs and to help ensure children are ready to learn when they start school.  The importance of oral health is rising to the level of other required school health exams, including hearing and vision. 

Although the long-term outcome of AB 1433 cannot be determined at this time, local level success stories are common.  CDA remains committed to improving the oral health of California’s children and to ensuring AB 1433 continues to operate successfully.

October 2007