Back-to-School Dental Checkup
A regular dental checkup is important year-round, but a back-to-school checkup is key in fighting the most common chronic disease found in school-age children: cavities. In fact, dental disease causes children to miss more than 51 million school hours each year. Even though going back to school looks a little different this year, scheduling your child’s back-to-school appointment is still important. Read “COVID-19: What to Expect When Your Dentist’s Office Reopens” to learn about the additional steps dentists are taking to protect patients.
Prevention and early detection can help avoid pain, trouble eating, difficulty speaking and school absences. “When people are beginning to do their pediatrician checks to make sure their kids are school-ready, make sure teeth are part of it,” says pediatric dentist and American Dental Association spokesperson Dr. Mary Hayes.
Plan Ahead
Between cookouts, camping trips and everything else on your family’s summer bucket list, it’s easy for school to sneak up on you. Unfortunately, many parents may not think about making that appointment until August, which Dr. Hayes says is one of her busiest times. “The rush is pretty intense,” she says.
Give yourself enough time by making it a habit to call when your child gets her spring report card each year. “Planning ahead is good,” she says. “If families want to avoid the rush to go back to school in August, then plan on getting appointments for the beginning of the summer.”
Timing Is Everything
Time of day can make or break your child’s appointment. “It’s important for a child of any age who’s used to a nap to not schedule during naptime,” Dr. Hayes says. If your child is always cranky after waking up, factor that in too.
For older children, avoid cramming in a dentist appointment right after day camp or school. “Not all kids have the energy to do that,” she says. “I will have parents who want to do very elaborate operative work after school because that’s when the kids can come out. But if the child has already been exhausted or had a bad day or had tests, they just don’t have the stamina to make it through the appointment successfully.”
Give us a call to schedule your next dental visit today!
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