LANSING — Children may be required to get a dental exam before enrolling in kindergarten.

Under a pair of new bills, parents would have to document that their children had an examination after the age of 3 and before initial enrollment in kindergarten.

Calling it “a good initiative and good policy,” Rep. LaMar Lemmons III, D-Detroit, one of the co-sponsors, said the proposal would help ensure that children’s performance in school doesn’t suffer as a result of poor health conditions that could easily be detected or prevented.

Kris Nicholoff, assistant executive director for the 6,000-member Michigan Dental Association, said he applauds lawmakers for recognizing the importance of oral health, but said the key is making sure there is adequate funding of programs for low-income families. 

“In concept, they make great sense. We’re grateful for their efforts,” he said.

But it is critical that assistance programs such as Healthy Kids Dental receive funding, he said. “Without funding, the program doesn’t work.” 

Healthy Kids Dental offers coverage  to Medicaid-enrolled beneficiaries under age 21 in selected counties.

The program, which is currently in 37 counties, will expand into 22 more counties in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula on May 1. An additional 40,000 low-income children will receive dental care with this expansion, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Many medical conditions, such as diabetes and immune disorders, may be detected by a dental exam, experts say. 

“The mouth is often the first indicator of disease,” said Sheila Semler, oral health coordinator for Community Health.

Children with good dental health learn more in school and eat better, she said. “There’s a high rate of absenteeism due to dental-related issues.”

Semler described a case where a child in Detroit died from a brain infection caused by a severe tooth infection caused by untreated tooth decay.

“A little prevention will save a child a great deal of discomfort,” she said.

Lawmakers who support the bills didn’t offer answers as to how the state would fund dental examinations for those who can’t afford them, but argue that the state would save money by taking preventive measures.

It will “save a lot of children,” said Rep. Brenda Clack, D-Flint. “Early detection means savings along the way.” She cited existing assistance programs such as Healthy Kids Dental that provide good dental care for low-income families.

Rep. Matt Gillard, D-Alpena, another co-sponsor, stressed the importance of dental exams for children.

To increase accessibility and improve affordability for low-income families, “we need to mandate this policy and find the funding for it,” Gillard said.

Nicholoff said, “If we take care of these kids, we’ll make better futures for them later and keep them out of the emergency room.”

The bill was referred to the House Education Committee.

 Others sponsors include Reps. Bill McConico, D-Detroit; Frank Accavitti Jr, D-Eastpointe, and Tom Meyer, R-Bad Axe, among others.