How To Turn On The Switch With The Rider and The Elephant | | |
As a pediatric dentist with 17 years of experience, I understand the challenge of motivating positive change in parents and children, especially when it comes to health habits such as cavity prevention. My approach is inspired by Chip and Dan Heath's Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, which emphasizes the need to engage both rational thought (the Rider) and emotions (the Elephant) to instigate change.
The key is to provide specific instructions for the Rider and emotional motivation for the Elephant. For example, "exercise" is too vague, but "do cardio 30 minutes 3 times a week" is actionable. However, without emotional readiness, even clear instructions can be ignored. Hope, the "I can do that" feeling, is a powerful motivator. If advice is too difficult, parents won't implement it...continue reading...
My "secret" about ice cream is that evidence suggests it can be healthy, as discussed in David Merritt Johns's "Nutrition Science’s Most Preposterous Result" in The Atlantic (2023). This article references studies correlating ice cream with lower heart disease and type II diabetes risk. While I don't tell patients ice cream is "good for you," I suggest a small scoop after dinner instead of other candy if they must have sugar...continue reading...
In summary, for cavity prevention:
- No: Juice, crackers, chocolate milk, soda
- Yes: Bread, meat, ice cream, chocolate, and peanut butter.
To combat obesity, consider what you, as the doctor, can affirm for the patient. This approach makes the necessary "no's" more palatable and increases the likelihood of instigating positive change.
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Dr. Roger Lucas, DDS
Author of More Chocolate, No Cavaties
| Psychological Effects of School Crisis Drills | |
At our last meeting, the School Health Committee discussed a new report on the psychological effects upon children and youth of school active shooter drills. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were 254 incidents in the 2024-2025 academic year. To prepare for such attacks, lockdown drills are practiced in 98% of K-12 schools nationwide. At least 37 states require active shooter drills, some as often as 5 times a year. The AAP has made significant efforts in this area, including an AAP policy statement in 2020 about student involvement in crisis drills. However, a new federal report stresses the psychological effects upon students and makes strong recommendations to reduce the potential harm these drills can cause, especially in students previously exposed to gun violence and to students with disabilities.
The report strongly recommends against high-intensity simulations that rely on sound effects (such as gunshot sounds), fake blood, or simulated violence. The report also recommends against deceiving students and staff by leading them to think that the drill is real. Not everyone will experience active shooter drills in the same way...continue reading...
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Renee Wachtel, MD, FAAP
Chair, Committee on Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and School Health Committee, Area Director, Alameda County, AAP-CA1
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Amplify Your Advocacy Op-Ed Writing for Pediatricians
Wednesday, December 10|6:30-8:00pm|Virtual
AAP-CA1 invites you to join the joint committee meeting with the Committee on Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and the School Health Committee, held virtually on Tuesday, October 28, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Don’t miss this important discussion on developmental, behavioral, and school health topics!
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Cannabis Conversations: Protecting Youth Health Through Clinical Practice and Public Policy Partnerships
Tuesday, December 16|6:30-8:00pm|Virtual
Join us Tuesday, December 16 from 6:30–8 PM (PT) for an overview of youth cannabis trends and practical prevention, screening, and policy strategies to help protect children and adolescents!
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Childhood Nutrition & Obesity Prevention Committee
Wednesday, Janunary 21|6:00-7:00pm|Virtual
Join us on January 21 at 6 PM for the Childhood Nutrition & Obesity Prevention Committee meeting. Internal Medicine Physicians Dr. Smruti Nalawadi and Dr. Shagun Bindlish will guide an interactive conversation on nutrition trends, obesity prevention, and how clinicians can work together to promote healthier outcomes for children and families.
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Chapter Leadership Positions | |
Apply for Area Director Positions!
As an Area Director, you'll be part of a dynamic team representing one of our 11 diverse geographic areas. You will become a voting member of our chapter board and engage with local pediatric providers to advocate for children's health through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Volunteer alongside a supportive leadership team dedicated to shaping the future of pediatric care.
Time commitment: 2-4 hours per month
Volunteer Area Director Positions:
- Monterey Area Director
- North Coastal Area Director
Perks and Benefits:
- Membership on AAP Board: Gain valuable experiences and networking opportunities
- Discounted CME Events: Access quality education at reduced rates.
- Advocacy Day in Sacramento: Participate in impactful advocacy efforts.
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Apply for CATCH Co-Facilitator Positions!
The role of a Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF) is to encourage and support pediatricians in their chapter as they work to collaborate within their communities to advance the health of all children. Chapter CATCH Facilitators represent the national AAP CATCH Program and must be a national AAP member as well as a chapter member.
CATCH’s mission is to support pediatricians to collaborate within their communities to advance the health of all children. Our vision is that every child in every community reach optimal health and well-being.
If you’re interested, please email info@aapca1.org.
The term length is 3 years and is renewable. Applications open until filled.
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AAP-CA1 Advocating for Children Together (ACT) Conference in 2026
The AAP-CA1 Advocacy Committee is excited to announce that we will be hosting the Advocating for Children Together (ACT) Conference in 2026! Building on the success of the previous ACT Conferences in 2019 and 2020, this event will bring together pediatricians who are passionate about improving child health and provide an opportunity for skill-building and networking. The ACT Conference will feature TED-style talks from dynamic leaders, hands-on workshops with experts in politics, public health, and mass media, and opportunities to meet and collaborate with pediatrician advocates in our community.
As planning begins, we are recruiting enthusiastic volunteers for the Speaker Committee, a conference planning committee that will shape the engaging talks and activities of the conference. Those who are interested can sign up using this form. Participating in the committee is a meaningful way to support pediatric advocacy, connect with colleagues, and help build a conference that equips pediatricians with the skills, opportunities, and connections needed to make a difference in children’s health.
| If you have any questions about the conference or the planning committee, please reach out to Lena Rothstein at lcrothstein@gmail.com. Access the 2019 ACT Conference or sign up to join the planning committee here! | | |
California Pediatrics Podcast: Dr Nicole Webb “Using Our Voice to Advance Child Health” - Episode 6
California Pediatrics is a podcast by pediatricians from the four California AAP chapters, covering current issues, career highlights, and parent tips. Episode 6 features hosts Melissa Ruiz, MD, FAAP and Eric Ball, MD, FAAP in conversation with special guest Nicole Webb, MD, FAAP, who shares her career journey and deep passion for child advocacy.
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Pediatric Careers in California!
Explore our job board for exciting career opportunities or share one of your own. Visit aapca1.org/jobs/.
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Chapter Members: Enjoy a discounted rate of $50 for a 90-day job posting and promotion.
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Non-Members/Corporate Entities: Post for 30 days at $100.
Take the next step in your pediatric career today!
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Pediatric Jobs Available!
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4 Ways to Keep Kids Healthy During the Winter Holidays
Don’t let respiratory viral illnesses like the flu, RSV and COVID-19 spoil your family’s holiday fun. Read more about food and drink preparation, selecting safe gifts, and decoration safety practices!
Recommended by AAP-CA1
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Samples of Recalled Baby Formula Test Positive for Bacteria That Causes Botulism
The outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart formula has affected 31 infants in 15 states. Read more about symptoms of infant botulism.
Recommended by AAP News
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Cal-MAP: Mental Health Support Resources
Cal-MAP’s team of mental health specialists supports primary care providers (PCPs) treating youth with mental health needs through education, consultation, and resource navigation.
Register for the Cal-MAP consultation program here: https://cal-map.org
Contact Us:
Phone:
800-253-2103
Email: info@cal-map.org
| | | Making Career Transitions | Over the course of your career as a pediatrician, you may decide to completely change course or make small tweaks to your current position. This time in your life can be both confusing and exciting as a new chapter unfolds. Below are resources for you to explore. | | |
Dairy Council of California
Books:
Dairy Council of California elevates the health of children and communities by
promoting lifelong healthy eating through improved access to nutrition education and nutritious foods.
Access cultural relevant resources for feeding infants and toddlers developed through partnership with NACCHO and grant funding from the CDC.
Explore a Healthy Eating for Families nutrition education booklet.
For questions, contact: boconnor@dairycouncilofca.org
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Your membership makes a difference for children in California, thank you!
The AAPCA1's ability to advocate on behalf of children is only as strong as the support we receive from our members. Encourage your colleagues to join today by visiting the AAPCA1 website.
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Our mission is to promote the optimal health and development of children and
adolescents of Northern California in partnership with their families and communities, and to support the pediatricians who care for them.
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Executive Committee:
President: Neel Patel • Vice President: Saul Diaz Martinez
• Secretary: Kerrilyn Rice • Treasurer: Amita Saxena • Past President: Nicole Webb
Area Directors:
North Valley: Aishwarya Taneja • Sacramento Valley: Lena van der List • Central Valley: Deborah Shassetz • South Valley: Sireesha Palkamsetti • San Francisco: Ryan Alanzalon • Santa Clara: Swetang Shahm • San Mateo: Jonathon Everett • North Coastal: VACANT • Monterey Bay: VACANT • Alameda County: Renee Wachtel • Contra Costa/Solano: Jennifer Anne Miller
Pediatric Insider News Editors:
Christy Capestany • Nicole Anderson
Staff:
Executive Director: Yolanda Ruiz • Project Coordinator: Sana Sayyid •
Marketing Assistant: Arathzy Portillo
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