Back-to-School Dental Checklist for Clovis Unified Families

By Lovik Mirzaeian, DDS. Updated September 2026.

The school year is in full swing, and if a back to school dental checkup slipped down your to-do list during the August rush, you are not alone. September is a great time to catch up, and your family’s new routine makes planning easier.

This checklist covers what Clovis Unified families ask us about most: the California kindergarten oral health assessment, scheduling around school hours, mouthguards for fall sports, and lunchbox habits that keep cavities away.

The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment: What California Requires

If you have a kindergartner, a dental form may have come home in the first-week paperwork. That is the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment, sometimes called the KOHA form, and it comes from state law, not your school.

California law (AB 1433) requires every child to have an oral health assessment during their first year in public school, whether that is kindergarten or first grade. It is the only school dental exam California requires, and the completed form is due by May 31 of that school year. Any licensed dentist can perform the assessment and sign the form, so a regular checkup with your family’s own dentist takes care of it. An exam done within the 12 months before starting school also counts, as long as the dentist fills out the form.

What Happens During the Assessment

The assessment is simple. The dentist looks at your child’s teeth and gums, checks for visible decay, and notes whether treatment is needed. It fits easily into a standard checkup and cleaning, so most families handle both in one visit. Our page on dental care for children explains what to expect at a kids’ appointment.

What If You Cannot Get an Assessment Done?

The law includes a waiver option. Parents can sign the waiver section of the same form if they cannot find or afford a dentist, or choose not to have the assessment done, and your child will not be kept out of school either way. Still, it exists for a good reason: the American Dental Association notes that tooth decay is preventable with early care, and catching a small cavity in kindergarten is far easier than treating a painful tooth in second grade.

Scheduling a Back to School Dental Checkup Around Class Hours

Once school is underway, the challenge is finding the right time. A few approaches that work well:

• Early morning appointments. A first-slot visit often gets your child back before lunch.
• Minimum days and teacher workdays. Check your school’s calendar for shortened days and use them for appointments.
• Book siblings together. Back-to-back appointments mean one trip and one absence note instead of several.
• Plan the next visit before you leave. Checkups every six months are the general rule, so booking spring now usually lands a slot during a school break.

Regular visits matter more than perfect timing. If it has been more than six months, a quick look at how routine dental exams work can help your child know what to expect and get back on schedule without stress.

Fall Sports and Mouthguards

Football, soccer, basketball, and cheer all pick up this time of year, and a chipped or knocked-out tooth is one of the most preventable sports injuries. The American Dental Association recommends a mouthguard for any sport with a risk of falls or contact, not just tackle football.

Choosing the Right Type

• Stock mouthguards are inexpensive and ready to wear, but fit loosely and can make breathing and talking harder.
• Boil-and-bite mouthguards soften in hot water and mold to the teeth for a better fit at a modest cost.
• Custom mouthguards, made by a dentist from an impression of your child’s teeth, fit best, protect best, and are most likely to actually get worn.

Whichever type you choose, replace it once it gets thin, torn, or loose. Kids’ mouths change quickly while adult teeth come in, so check the fit each season.

Lunchbox and Snack Habits That Protect Teeth

Frequent snacking gives cavity-causing bacteria a steady supply of sugar, so the lunchbox matters. A few easy swaps:

• Pack water instead of juice boxes or sports drinks, which bathe teeth in sugar for hours.
• Choose cheese, nuts, plain yogurt, or crunchy vegetables over crackers, chips, and fruit snacks. Sticky, starchy snacks cling to teeth long after lunch ends.
• Save sweets for mealtimes. Saliva production is higher during meals and helps rinse sugar away.
• Skip hard, chewy, and sticky items like taffy and hard candy, which crack teeth and pull out fillings.

No lunchbox needs to be perfect. Consistent small choices, plus brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, do most of the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the kindergarten dental checkup required in California?

Yes. California law requires an oral health assessment during a child’s first year in public school, with the form due by May 31 of that school year. However, parents may sign a waiver on the form if they cannot access or afford care, and a child will not be excluded from school over the form.

Can any dentist fill out the kindergarten oral health assessment form?

Yes. Any licensed dentist can perform the assessment and complete the form, and certain other licensed dental professionals can as well. You do not need to go through the school or a specific provider. An assessment done within 12 months before your child started school also satisfies the requirement.

Will my child miss too much school for a dental appointment?

Usually not. A routine checkup and cleaning typically takes under an hour, so an early morning or late afternoon slot means missing very little class time. Minimum days and school holidays are also good options. Most schools excuse absences for dental appointments when you provide a note from the office.

Does my child really need a mouthguard for soccer or basketball?

It is strongly recommended. Dental injuries happen in any sport with contact, falls, or flying elbows, not just football. A mouthguard cushions blows that could chip, break, or knock out teeth. A well-fitting boil-and-bite or custom mouthguard is comfortable enough that most kids will actually keep it in.

Need the KOHA Form Signed? Dr. Mirzaeian Can Help

Whether your kindergartner needs their oral health assessment form completed or your older kids are due for a checkup, contact us to set up a consultation. We will make the visit easy on your schedule and comfortable for your child.

Lovik Mirzaeian, DDS has achieved extensive training in multidisciplinary dental treatments. His credentials include Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Full Mouth Reconstruction, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, and Sleep Sedation. Our office puts your comfort and smile first, and we are dedicated to giving you top-notch dental care. Get ready to show off your perfect smile!

Looking for a trusted family dentist in Clovis? Dr. Mirzaeian welcomes new patients of all ages.