By Peter Kates
It’s not too early to arrange the medical and dental visits your kids will need over the summer break from school. With planning, you’ll be able to easily fit the well-child visits, camp physicals, and dental check-ups into your schedule of day trips, summer school, and tee ball.
“You wouldn’t wait until the last minute to make your vacation plans because hotels might be booked up, so don’t wait too long to make your child’s summertime medical and dental appointments because your doctor may not have openings when you want them,” says Lorna Fitzpatrick, MD, a board-certified pediatrician, and vice president of medical affairs and senior medical director at Univera Healthcare. “Appointments can get scarce as September approaches, so secure pediatric medical and dental visits now.”
Children ages two to 21 years old should have an annual physical to make sure immunizations are up to date, including the COVID vaccine. Annual exams also confirm that growth and development are on track and that their hearing and vision are optimal for learning. Other important topics addressed during annual physicals include eating and sleeping habits, social behaviors, and family dynamics.
For children with asthma, an annual physical provides an opportunity to review and update the child’s asthma action plan, and to make sure all adults who care for the child have a copy, including camp counselors, coaches, teachers, caregivers, and even parents of their friends.
“Routine checkups not only offer preventive care, but also create strong, trusting relationships with providers that will benefit your child throughout their life,” says Fitzpatrick.
Regular dental care is just as important as well-child visits and is recommended every six months.
“Preventive dental care is essential for good oral health, and also for general health,” says Fitzpatrick. “Untreated oral disease has a large impact on quality of life and productivity, including for children.” Each year, children in the United States lose an average of 34 million school hours because of emergency dental care.
Fitzpatrick advises parents to make the most of their children’s medical and dental visits by making a list of topics they’d like to address with their child’s health care provider. “Bring your top three to five questions or concerns with you to discuss at the start of the visit.”
School may not let out for the summer for several more weeks, but that doesn’t mean it is too early to start planning the most efficient way to use the break. Make your well-child and pediatric dental appointments now so that the summer calendar fills up on your terms, instead of allowing these important medical and dental appointments to dictate how your family spends summer vacation.
Peter Kates is Vice President of Communications at Univera Healthcare.
