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Schools & Support Services

Hearing and Vision Screening

Michigan Law (Public Health Code – Act 368 of 1978 and the 1995 Revised School Code, Act 291) mandates hearing and vision screening before kindergarten entry. The goal of the law is early identification and treatment of hearing and vision problems that can affect the child’s ability to learn. Michigan Law also requires school officials to enter vision screening data into the MCIR system for all kindergarten entrants by November 1st of each year. 

During enrollment, please review the child’s hearing and vision screening status and inform the parent of the screening mandate. By the first day of school, kindergartners must have within their school record written documentation of a hearing and vision screening completed by a health department technician, a physician or an eye doctor. Although the Public Health Code rules state hearing and vision screening shall be done at least once during the ages of 3 through 5 years, best practice is within six to twelve months of entering kindergarten.

To aid parents in meeting the mandate, the Oakland County Health Division offers free hearing and vision screening, by appointment, for children who live or learn in Oakland County. To ensure that children are screened by the first day of school, parents should be encouraged to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Enclosed is a copy of our flyer which you may duplicate and distribute to parents who wish to register their child for school. Hearing and Vision flyer copies in Spanish and Arabic are also available at www.oakgov.com/health.

Kindergarten Dental Screening Program 

Oakland County Health Division offers free Kindergarten dental screenings in Oakland County schools. The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment law [Public Health Code Act 368 Section 333.9316] was passed to ensure that children entering their first year of school can receive an oral health assessment (dental screening) prior to starting school. Dental cavities are a common childhood illness. A dental screening can help identify oral health problems and assist families in finding dental resources to address those concerns. Oral health is important to overall health and the ability to learn, grow and thrive!

If your school is interested in receiving in-school kindergarten dental screenings, please contact Lisa Dobias at (248) 858-1306 or email at OCHD-Dental@oakgov.com or visit the State of Michigan website at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/childrenfamilies/familyhealth/oralhealth/koha

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Oakland County Health Division: 

• Hearing and Vision Screening: (248) 424-7071 or lynchal@oakgov.com 
• Kindergarten Dental Screening: (248) 858-1306 or OCHD-Dental@oakgov.com

Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program

Michigan law (The Public Health Code 316 of 2023) requires Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) to provide no cost dental screenings to children 6 months prior to the start of kindergarten or during the kindergarten year. This law was created to improve school readiness and raise family awareness of the importance of good oral health. Screening occurs in most Oakland County public, private and charter schools, preschools and at OCHD office locations by appointment.

Why screen children in kindergarten?

• Children’s oral health is a key public health priority. Early detection of dental problems and connecting children to needed care will help them succeed in school.
• Poor dental health affects attendance and grades. Kids with poor dental health are 3 times more likely to miss school because of their dental problems.
• Tooth decay (cavities) is the most common chronic disease in children. Almost half of Michigan’s Head Start children have cavities and about one-third have untreated decay. Cavities are a bacterial infection that can spread to other teeth and cause those to develop cavities. A cavity on a baby tooth can also affect the developing tooth.

What should school districts do?

1. Notify parents of the dental screening requirement; provide information about where the screening can be done including dates and times of on-site screening events.
2. Communicate the importance of oral health; encourage parents to have their child’s dental screening completed.
3. Collaborate with OCHD to offer on-site screenings.
4. Submit required school dental screening data to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

How can teachers & school staff assist the dentist/dental hygienist with on-site screenings?

1. All children in kindergarten will be screened unless it is noted by school personnel on the class list. Parents may choose to opt out if the child was screened by their family dentist.
2. Direct parents/guardians to OCHD to answer any questions
3. Complete the dental screening checklist provided by OCHD a week prior to the screening event.

How do we report our data?

All Michigan schools are required by law to report their dental screening data to the State. Schools that receive proof of screening from a parent/guardian or local health department should select the “Dental Screened” checkbox in Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). Selecting this box in MCIR indicates a student was screened and fulfills the school’s reporting requirement to the State.

Immunization Requirements

In order to help protect students from the spread of infectious childhood diseases, admission to the Waterford School District will be denied to all incoming preschool, kindergarten, and out-of-state registrants, and those students being promoted to sixth grade, who cannot show proof of immunization prior to the first day of school. Students previously enrolled in a Michigan public school will be allowed provisional enrollment
subject to receipt of immunization records prior to exclusion dates.

Children 7 to 18 Years of Age & New to the District or Enrolled in Seventh Grade
Required Immunizations:

• 4 doses D and T OR 3 doses Td if first dose given on or after 7 years of age. 1 dose of Tdap for children 11 through 18 yrs IF 5 years since the last dose of tetanus/diphtheria containing vaccine
  • 3 doses of polio vaccine
  • 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
  • 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) on or after 12 months of age
  • 2 doses of Varicella vaccine at or after 12 months of age or current lab immunity or reliable history of disease
  • 1 dose of Meningococcal for ages 11 or older upon entry into 7th grade or higher

Children 4 through 6 years of Age & Enrolled in Kindergarten

Required Immunizations:

• 4 doses of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) or DTaP, one dose received on or after four years of age
• 4 doses of Polio vaccine if dose 3 is administered on or after four years of age only 3 doses are required
• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) on or after 12 months of age
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
• 2 doses of Varicella vaccine at or after 12 months of age or current lab immunity or reliable history of disease

According to the Michigan Department of Education, “The parent or guardian of each enrolling kindergarten student shall submit a statement signed by a district, county, or city health department director stating that the child has been administered the department of community health preschool vision screening test, or signed by a licensed medical or osteopathic physician or a licensed optometrist stating that the child’s eyes have been examined during the preschool years after age 3 and before initial entrance.” A vision test is not required if there is a statement signed by a parent or guardian to the effect that the child cannot be submitted to the test because of religious convictions.

Students attending preschool, Head Start or Day Care (age prior to 59 months) are required to receive HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae - type B) and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV7 or Prevnar). Parents are urged to review these requirements and set a schedule with their pediatrician or family doctor that ensures all students will be able to start school on time.

Due to an immunization rule change from the Michigan Department of Community Health, waivers exempting children from receiving immunizations can no longer be obtained from a school or childcare. Non-medical waivers based on religious or philosophical beliefs must first be certified at the Oakland County Health Division.

Hearing & Vision Requirement

Entering Kindergarten: Michigan Public Health Code, (Act 368 of 1978), requires hearing and vision screening for kindergarten entrance. Hearing and vision screenings done in preschool by a health department technician, physician or eye doctor fulfills this requirement. Oakland County Health Division offers free hearing and vision screening for children that live and learn in Oakland County. Call (248) 424-7070 for an appointment.

Free Hearing & Vision Screening

Available to children who live & learn in Oakland County Help your child develop and learn by identifying a hearing or vision problem early. Call 248.424.7070 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Four Locations to Serve You
Pontiac: 1200 N Telegraph Rd., Bldg. 34 E, Pontiac, MI 38341

Southfield: 27725 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48076

New Hudson United Methodist Church: 56730 Grand River Rd., New Hudson, MI 48165

Walled Lake Church of Christ: 1403 N. Pontiac Tr., Walled Lake Mi 48390

Limited availability at the New Hudson Methodist Church and Walled Lake Church of Christ.
Michigan law requires hearing and vision screening before entering kindergarten. Testing done in preschool by a Public Health Technician, licensed eye care practitioner, or doctor’s office will also fulfill this requirement.