Michigan kindergarten oral health program faces implementation struggles

Christine Farrell is the oral health section manager for the Department of Health and Human Services. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Christine Farrell is the oral health section manager for the Department of Health and Human Services. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

LANSING

The Department of Health and Human Services launched the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program to ensure that young children have healthy smiles.

However, successfully putting it into practice has been like pulling teeth.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and is responsible for 51 million missed school hours annually nationwide, according to the Michigan Oral Heal…