The California Dental Association says tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and to address that, the state of California has now passed a law requiring kindergarteners in public schools to get a dental check up.

It’s something that many doctors recommend parents start doing by their child’s first birthday but not many do. Most parents wait until their kids are 5 or later.

For the sake of promoting good oral health, the state has stepped in and passed the law stating that children must get a dental check up by May 31st of their first year in school. This law only applies to public schools.

Many parents find the law to be no big deal because they are already seeing their dentist regularly, but it’s intention is get the rest in to have their kids seen.

The California Dental Association says tooth decay is more common than asthma and obesity, affecting almost two thirds of students by the time they reach third grade. Tooth decay in California is on the rise to boot.

Often times when children come to see the nurse with a headache it is often caused by or really is a toothache. When kids feel good they attend school regualarly and are able to progress academically. However, when they are home with a toothache generated illness, they are missing valuable time that is hard to make up if it is a chronic problem.

Many feel the new law is a great preventative measure that will hopefully decrease tooth decay in California over time.

The state of California offers dental care for families that cannot afford it.