The Experts Recommend 4 Back-to-School Check Ups for Your Child

As summer is coming to an official close and the school year is just getting started, parents may be thinking about steps they can take to protect their child’s health this academic year. Experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham are here to help with their recommendations for four appointments parents should get their child to as they head back to school.

Primary Health Care Provider Appointment

Before they go back to school, David Kimberlin, M.D., co-director of UAB and Children’s of Alabama’s Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, recommends children visit their pediatrician or family practice physician for their annual checkup appointment.

“All school-age children should have annual examinations by their doctor,” Kimberlin says. “The assessment is comprehensive and addresses both physical and mental health.”

During these pediatric visits, doctors can help determine whether children are healthy and developing as they should be. They also help health care providers catch any problems early, when they may be easier to treat. Parents will also 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 says. “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 says. “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

Having an eye exam at the beginning of the school year is a great way to make sure vision problems will not prohibit any learning in the classroom.

“Vision is an integral part of the school experience,” says Nicholas Onken, O.D., a pediatric optometrist at UAB Eye Care. “Making sure there are no visual or ocular obstacles to learning should be near the top of the list of things to check for before school starts. Additionally, children’s eyes change much more frequently than adults’ eyes do, making yearly exams an important part of any child’s life.”

During an eye exam before school starts, optometrists can find problems that may affect a child’s ability to see the board, screens or printed materials that could play a large role in a child’s performance at school and develop a treatment plan to help improve their vision. Many sight conditions, such as nearsightedness, respond to treatment better if caught earlier.

Some signs that a child may be experiencing vision problems include squinting, moving closer to the TV, holding reading material very close, looking out of the corner of the eye to view objects, rubbing the eyes, closing an eye or reading with a finger. If a child is struggling academically, that could also indicate a vision problem.

“A comprehensive eye examination looks at much more than just visual acuity,” Onken says. “It also includes an evaluation of the health of the exterior and interior parts of the eye and how well the eyes function, including the ability to focus, team and track. It also evaluates for conditions that the child may not currently be having but might encounter in the future, which may be mitigated with appropriate treatments.”

Vaccinations Appointment

To help prevent children from contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, experts recommend that parents keep their children up to date on recommended vaccines for their age group.

“Vaccines help provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases,” says Erin Delaney, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine and clinic medical director for the Family Medicine Clinic at UAB Hospital-Highlands. “By getting your child vaccinated, not only are you protecting them from sickness, but you are also protecting classmates, friends, relatives and others in the community.”

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 person getting sick.

For children who may be slightly nervous about getting their vaccines, Delaney says a parent’s display of support is very important. She encourages parents to take time and 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. To make an immunization appointment, contact your child’s local health care provider or county health department.