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With the approach of August comes the excitement of preparing students to go back to school. But, before you begin loading up on school supplies and finding that perfect backpack, remember that there are also some important personal care tasks that should be on everyone's "Back to School" list.
Don't Forget To Add These to Your Back to School Tasks' List
Get a Physical
A yearly physical should be a regular part of everyone's medical care but, it is most important with children. Between the ages of 4-18, children and youth experience dynamic growth spurts. A yearly physical can assure that the body's chemistry levels a
re where they should be and that t
he bone structure is growing properly. In addition, if a child is involved in a team sport in the Georgia High School Association, you will be required to have a PPE Form
,
Pre-Participation Physical (Health History) Form before beginning any activity or training.
Hearing and Vision Check
After the initial entry into school (with Hearing/Vision/Dental Certificate, Form 3300), hearing and vision checks are often performed within the schools themselves. These tests (administered on a large scale basis) can however
miss subtle symptoms that a physician would be looking for. It is recommended especially with vision care that your child see an optometrist every one to two years.These exams will screen for changes in eyesight that can affect school performance and cause issues down the road.
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Wonderful Time of Year for parents |
Dental Examination
Nothing is more painful than a middle of the night toothache. Everyone should have a yearly dental exam and teeth cleaning to prevent tooth and gum decay. Those with pre-existing gum or dental disease may need to be seen more frequently (every three to four months). Young adults entering college should also be checked for any potential problems due to incoming wisdom teeth.
Immunizations
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. ยง 20-2-771. Immunization of students) provides that all students entering a public school (or child care facility) must receive immunizations and present a
Georgia Certificate of Immunization,
Form 3231
at initial school registration.
In addition, students entering college may also be required to receive a Meningococcal (Meningitis) vaccination.
GRITS, the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services, is a web-based registry that tracks all immunization data for Georgians.
All physicians and healthcare systems have access to this registry in the event that there is any question of needed immunizations. Parents may also consult the DPH, Department of Public Health,
Hop to It
website for Georgia's current immunization requirements schedule.
While the enthusiasm for a new school year is upon you do not let it stop with school supplies. Make going back to school a fun, healthy activity as well. Turn the day of your child's physical and dental exams into an adventure. Plan appointments to include a special "Back to School" activity, lunch or shopping day. In the end, the real elation is in having a healthy, happy student ready for a new school year.
If your student is ready to head back to school and is in need of a yearly or sports physical exam, let our caring and professional team at Morrow Family Medicine put them at ease.
For more information, contact us at:
http://www.morrowfammed.com/
or call us at: 770-781-8004.
We are committed to your health and well-being. We utilize state of the art technology and old fashioned attitudes to care for all our patients.
To learn more about us visit Morrow Family Medicine's LinkedIn page. Morrow Family is the proud recipient of the Best of Forsyth award for 2015 and 2016.
Morrow Family Medicine is now available to see you at two locations:
Cumming
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1400 Northside Forsyth Drive, Suite 200, Cumming, GA 30041
Milton - 12970 Highway 9, Milton, GA 30004
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