UAB experts urge parents to schedule back-to-school checkups to help students succeed in the classroom.Before summer officially ends and the school year begins, parents may be considering methods they can use to protect their child’s health this school year. Experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham share their recommendations for back-to-school appointments parents should schedule for their child as they head back to school.
Primary healthcare provider appointment
Before children go back to school, Suresh Boppana, M.D., interim director of UAB and Children’s of Alabama’s Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, recommends they visit their pediatrician or family practice physician for their annual checkup appointment.
“Annual checkups allow us to get a full, comprehensive assessment of the child and ensure all of their physical and mental health needs are met,” Boppana said.
During these pediatric visits, doctors can help determine whether children are healthy and developing as they should be. Healthcare providers may catch any problems early, when they may be easier to treat. Parents will have a chance to ask any questions they may have about their child’s behavior or development. Timing of administration of annual influenza and COVID vaccines should also be discussed.
Dentist appointment
When parents take children to their dental appointment, pediatric dentists can detect any dental problems early and administer the appropriate treatment immediately to prevent further complications. While UAB experts recommend every child have their first dentist visit before the age of 1 year, Stephen Mitchell, DMD, professor in UAB’s School of Dentistry, says that, if the child does not yet have a dentist, summertime is a great time to find them one.
“It is best for a child to have a dental home that they routinely see at least two times a year,” Mitchell said. “If a child has not seen a dentist or has not seen one in several years, we recommend scheduling a visit to make sure they are not having any dental problems that may cause discomfort and distract them from learning while they are at school.”
Mitchell says diet is crucial to maintaining a child’s oral health and encourages parents to reduce the number of sugary foods and beverages children consume throughout the school year. He recommends replacing sugary drinks with water, plain milk, or any beverage that has 10 or fewer calories per serving.
“We want to take precautions to prevent tooth decay from happening, but that does not mean removing all sugary drinks and foods from their diets,” Mitchell said. “When fun events or special occasions come around like a birthday party or Halloween, let them enjoy themselves and have fun. After the event is over, parents can help them get back to their daily routine.”
For children who may be skeptical about dental visits, Mitchell says it is best to avoid making a big deal out of it. To help prepare them for a visit, parents can show their child videos of siblings, parents or other children going to the dentist to help them better understand what to expect during an appointment.
Eye appointment
Annual eye exams are important, especially before the school year starts. “A comprehensive eye exam is about more than determining whether your child can see 20/20,” said Janelle Sventek, O.D., a pediatric optometrist at UAB Eye Care.
“During a comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate not only visual clarity and eye health, but also your child’s ability to track, team and focus their eyes. These visual skills play an important role in learning and classroom performance.”
Approximately one in five children has a vision problem that may interfere with academic success, Sventek says. If a child is struggling in school, an undiagnosed problem could be a contributing factor. For example, children who have difficulty keeping their place while reading, experience double vision when looking at words on a page, or feel that their eyes go in and out of focus may benefit from UAB Eye Care’s Vision Therapy Clinic.
Many people associate eye exams with the need for glasses, but a variety of treatment options may be recommended depending on a child’s diagnosis. Sventek says many children are becoming myopic, or nearsighted, at younger ages. UAB Eye Care offers comprehensive eye exams and also a dedicated Myopia Control Clinic that provides evidence-based treatments designed to slow the progression of myopia, starting with school-age children.
The American Optometric Association recommends that children receive their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age, another exam at least once between ages 3 and 5, and then an exam before entering first grade, followed by annual exams thereafter.
“Signs that may indicate a need for a sooner evaluation include squinting, sitting closer to the television, closing one eye, frequent eye rubbing, headaches or complaints of blurred vision,” Sventek said.
Vaccinations appointment
To help prevent children from contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, experts recommend that parents keep their children up to date on vaccines recommended for their age group.
“Vaccines help provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Erin Delaney, M.D., vice chair for Clinical Care and Quality in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine and clinician at the Family Medicine Clinic at UAB Hospital-Highlands.
Immunizations are the best defense against preventing the spread of disease and ensuring the best immune response for children. Vaccines help teach a child’s immune system to recognize a virus or bacteria before being exposed, so that when they come in contact with that virus or bacteria in the future, their immune system fights it off without the child’s getting sick.
For children who may be slightly nervous about getting their vaccines, Delaney says, a parent’s display of support is important. She encourages parents to take time to explain to children how vaccines protect them from something that could hurt them and to reward them with something they enjoy after they have received their vaccines.
Parents and guardians can find a list of recommended vaccines by age on the American Academy of Pediatrics website. To make an immunization appointment, contact the child’s local healthcare provider or county health department. UAB’s Family Medicine Clinics at UAB Hospital-Highlands and UAB Family Medicine East are both accepting new pediatric patients and can provide the recommended vaccines.