Essentia Health Encourages Parents Schedule Well-Child/Teen Visits
Essentia Health is reminding parents that the slower summer months are an ideal time to schedule well-child/teen visits. Especially in advance of the next school year, well-child/teen visits are a great opportunity to review your child’s health in all areas — growth, cognitive and social development, illness prevention, mental health and more.
“Regular well-child checks play a crucial role in keeping your kids and teens healthy and thriving,” said, Dr. Jean Gustafson, division chair of primary care for western North Dakota at Essentia. “Summertime also offers greater flexibility around scheduling as it doesn’t require your child to miss school. These visits, which can include a sports physical and immunizations, are an excellent way to ensure your child is healthy and allows us to engage children in their own health and well-being and answer any questions that they and parents have.”
Well-child/teen visits are recommended annually for everyone from birth to age 21. During these appointments, your pediatrician or primary care provider will:
Conduct a comprehensive physical exam.
Take measurements like height and weight, and discuss your child’s development and behavior.
Screen for any mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression.
Update all immunizations or vaccinations, including HPV, meningitis and others.
Talk about illness prevention, nutrition, physical fitness and other applicable health-related issues.
Talk about how to handle emergencies and sudden illness.
When it’s age-appropriate, substance abuse, healthy nutrition and sexual health also are discussed at well-child/teen visits.
A sports physical, also known as a preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE), can be completed as part of a well-child/teen visit. It is recommended that your child have their physical at least six weeks before their sports season begins so there is enough time to follow up on something if necessary.
Visit Essentia’s well-child/teen visit page for more information, including a list of questions to ask your child’s provider. Many insurance companies cover one well-child/teen visit per year; contact yours to check on coverage.
You can schedule these visits directly through your pediatrician or family medicine provider. You can also schedule by calling (844) 663-1068, online through EssentiaHealth.org or through the Essentia MyChart patient portal.