DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog

Getting your child ready for school involves a never-ending checklist of things to do.  The school physical, the immunization requirements, the school supply list, the after-school care arrangements,  the emergency number list, the new clothes, the bus schedule, the list goes on and on.  Important parts of your child's back-to-school preparedness checklist also should include routine eye exams, ear exams and dental exams.  Preventive care and healthy habits contribute to a more successful school year for your child.

Why Does Your Child Need Eye Exams?

A child's ability to see is an important part of his or her ability to learn.  The American Optometric Association (AOA) identifies the following vision skills needed by children to get the optimal benefit from classroom education:

• "Near vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably at 10-13 inches.
• Distance vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably beyond arm's reach.
• Binocular coordination. The ability to use both eyes together.
• Eye movement skills. The ability to aim the eyes accurately, move them smoothly across a page and shift them quickly and accurately from one object to another.
• Focusing skills. The ability to keep both eyes accurately focused at the proper distance to see clearly and to change focus quickly.
• Peripheral awareness. The ability to be aware of things located to the side while looking straight ahead.
• Eye/hand coordination. The ability to use the eyes and hands together."

What Are Signs That Your Child May Have Vision Problems?

The AOA also notes that children may have undiagnosed vision problems if they exhibit any of the following: 

• "Loses their place while reading;
• Avoids close work;
• Holds reading material closer than normal;
• Tends to rub his or her eyes;
• Has headaches;
• Turns or tilts head to use one eye only;
• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing;
• Uses finger to maintain place when reading;
• Omits or confuses small words when reading;
• Consistently performs below potential."

Optometrists recommend that children have comprehensive vision screenings at least every two years. They also caution that perfunctory eye screenings done by school health officials or pediatricians are not adequate to diagnose many common and serious vision problems.

What Are Signs That Your Child May Have Hearing Problems?

A comprehensive hearing exam is an important component of back-to-school preparedness, as well.  According to physician editors at Medicinenet.com, a child with undiagnosed hearing loss may not be able to develop normal speech and language skill, and not acquire the thinking, knowing and judging abilities that he or she needs to continue learning. 

If your child has experienced any of the following, experts suggest that his or her hearing be screened by a professional:

• "Speech delay
• Frequent or recurrent ear infections
• A family history of hearing loss (hearing loss can be inherited)
• Syndromes known to be associated with hearing loss (for example, Down syndrome, the CHARGE syndrome, and Crouzon syndrome)
• Infectious diseases that cause hearing loss (for example, meningitis, measles and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection)
• Medical treatments that may have hearing loss as a side effect, including some antibiotics and some chemotherapy agents.
• Poor school performance
• Diagnosis of a learning disability or other disorder, such as autism or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)"

What Should Parents Do To Promote Good Dental Health?

Dental problems often lead to overall health problems, which can also be detrimental to a child's ability to learn.  A child may even have a dental problem, but not even realize it.  Parents should be alert to a difference in eating habits, often a sign that what used to be an enjoyable experience is now somewhat painful.  From an early age, good oral health is dependent on good nutrition. 

A recent edition of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Health Letter offered common-sense advice in their guide to pediatric dentistry.  Dr. Nancy Tofsky, DDS and professor of Pediatric Dentistry at UMDNJ - New Jersey Dental School, emphasized the importance of good oral health for children. 

Following are some general guidelines to promote healthy teeth and oral health in your child:

• "Don't give toddlers a bottle of juice, milk or other beverage at sleeptime, since they beverages absorb into teeth during sleep and cause decay.  Plain water is best if a bottle is needed at bedtime.
• Offer fruits and vegetables as "healthy snacks" instead of carbohydrates.
• Buy foods that are sugar-free or unsweetened.  Avoid sugary foods that linger on the teeth, as they all contribute to tooth decay by continuously coating the teeth with sugar.
• Offer your child plain water instead of juice or soda.
• Limit gum-chewing to a sugar-free or xylitol-sweetened gum.
• Teach children to brush and floss properly. Children under age six generally don't have the proper coordination and motor skills to brush on their own. Parents should brush their children's teeth at least twice a day, and after each snack, if possible. As children become more coordinated, they should take over their own brushing and flossing.
  
• Brushing after taking medicine is also a good idea, since many medicines, such as cough syrups, contain sugar that combines with bacteria in the mouth to create acids that eat away at tooth enamel.
• Schedule your child for dental check-ups twice each year."

What Are The Facts About Your Child's Dental Exam?

Experts at the Children's National Medical Center offer this general advice related to the importance of children's dental examinations.

• "What is a dental exam?  The dentist or dental hygienist will first go over your child's health history and then examine your child's mouth and teeth.  An exam checks the following:
  • Your child's general health to make sure you are healthy and can have your teeth cleaned.
  • Your child's mouth, gums, cheeks, and teeth.
  • X-rays to look for cavities and bone health.
• What is a cleaning?  After your child's dental exam, his or her teeth will be cleaned and fluoride will be put on the teeth to protect them from cavities.  The dentist or dental hygienist will also show you and your child how to brush and floss his or her teeth to keep them healthy.
• Who should have a dental exam?  According to the American Academy of pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), everyone should have dental check-ups twice a year, starting after the first baby tooth appears.
• Why are dental exams important?  Professional dental cleanings remove plaque that causes tooth decay.  With regular visits, dentists can spot early tooth decay and help you and your child prevent it from getting worse.  Dentists can also fix decayed teeth with fillings and crowns before they cause your child pain.  Also, dental sealants can be applied to permanent teeth to help prevent cavities.  Dentists can also discover other medical problems such as diabetes in patients during dental exams."

Previously on the D.C. Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

• A nationwide oral health decline among toddlers
  
• The importance of oral health in women
  
• Metro area school immunization requirements
  

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.