4 health care professionals kids should see before school starts

One of the best ways to ensure your children have a productive school year is to make certain they’re in good health. Here are four types of health care professionals your kids should see before the school year begins.

Audiologist
It’s important to consult an audiologist to make sure your children’s hearing is in good shape. Undiagnosed hearing impairments make it difficult to follow in class and may be mistaken for ADHD. In particular, kids who frequently get ear infections are susceptible to hearing loss.

Optometrist
Regardless of whether or not they display signs of vision loss, your children should regularly visit an optometrist. Kids who have trouble seeing often don’t say anything. Some even manage to compensate well enough that pediatricians and parents don’t notice anything is wrong. However, these strategies typically don’t work well in the classroom and vision impairments can significantly impact academic performance.

General practitioner
It’s a good idea for children to get a thorough checkup before classes begin. You should also make sure their vaccinations are up to date. Kids come in contact with a host of pathogens while at school and vaccines remain the most effective method of prevention.

Dentist
The American Dental Association recommends that children regularly visit their dentist (one to two times a year) for a checkup and cleaning. This is the best way to foster healthy tooth development and to ensure optimal oral health. Scheduling checkups during the summer will ensure kids don’t miss more school than is necessary to visit the dentist.

Booking appointments with these health care professionals will ensure your child can focus on their education and get the most out of the school year.