Send your kids back to class healthy by making sure to schedule these important checkups.
Head-to-Toe Physical Examination
Why: To track healthy development and pinpoint problems. Essential if your child will be involved in school sports.
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When: Every year on his or her birthday (if before September) or in summer
Who to See:Pediatrician or primary-care physician say ahhh! Send your kids back to class healthy by making sure to schedule these important checkups
Flu Vaccine
(kids under 10 getting it for the first time need 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart)
Why: Kids are at a higher risk of hospitalization from flu complications. when Every year in October through January
Who to See:Pediatrician or primary-care physician
Review of Prior Vaccinations
Plus: booster for tetanus and diphtheria (Tdap) if 5 years have passed; meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MC V4); human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) for girls, 3 doses over 6 months
Why: Protection from earlier vaccines can begin to wear off; MC V4 prevents deadly bacterial blood infection and meningitis (which adolescents are more prone to); HPV guards against cervical cancer and genital warts.
When: By middle school (age 11 to 12)
Who to See: Pediatrician or primary-care physician
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Exam
Why: To screen for ear infection, hearing loss, sleep apnea, allergies.
When: Between ages 6 and 8; also if child snores, has chronic congestion, stuffy nose or other sinus symptoms, speech delay, or hearing problems
Who to See:Otolaryngologist; allergist as needed
Dental Exam and Cleaning
Why: Dental and related conditions are the #1 reason kids miss school, more than 51 million hours a year.
When: Every 6 months beginning at their first birthday
Who to See:Pediatric or family dentist
