Healthy Checklist for Back to School

(Article published in HWW Sep 2007)

by Dr. Natalie Langston-Davis, MD, MPH

It’s the time of year to get your list together for everything your child will need to ensure a good start for the school year. While you remember to get all of those school supplies to fill up his book bag, don’t forget the things your child will need to get off to a healthy good start this school year.

1. ✓Annual Checkup—all children attending NYC public schools, including daycare, nursery and preschools, must show proof of receiving a medical exam within the past 12 months. Once your child’s doctor completes the form for you, you should hand it in to the appropriate school official. Be sure to discuss any chronic medical problems, like asthma, at this important visit with the doctor.
   

2. ✓Dental Screening—children should have regular visits (every 6 months) to a dentist. The dentist will perform x-rays and an exam to determine the state of your child’s dental health. If tooth decay has already occurred your child will receive cavity fillings. If decay has not begun your dentist can place protective sealants on your child’s teeth to hopefully avoid future decay. If you do not have dental insurance, the NYC Department of Health has dental clinics in schools and other areas around the city available to you free of charge.
   

3. ✓Vision and Hearing Screens—if your child is going into kindergarten, first grade, or is going to a new public elementary school he will receive a screening of his vision and hearing by a medical worker from the Department of Health. If a problem is found with your child’s screening the school will contact you so that you can make an appointment with your child’s doctor for further evaluation.
   

4. ✓Tuberculosis Testing—if your child is going for the first time into secondary school (intermediate, middle school, junior high or high school) she will need to get a PPD to test for exposure to tuberculosis.
   

5. ✓Vaccines—Your child’s shots should be up to date either before or soon after starting the new school year. While all vaccines are important there are some new rules in New York City about 2 specific vaccines beginning this school year:
   

6. ✓Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine—this vaccine protects infants from a serious bacterial infection that is the cause of meningitis, pneumonia and blood infections. All babies born on or after January 1, 2008 must have this vaccine before entering a daycare or nursery program.
   

7. ✓Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular-Pertussis Vaccine—Beginning September 1, 2007 all children born on or after January 1, 1994 and entering or repeating the 6th grade must have a dose of the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine if it has been 2 years since their last vaccine containing tetanus. This vaccine protects against 3 types of infections. Pertussis and Diphtheria are spread from person to person. Tetanus is spread through dirty cuts and wounds.
   

8. ✓Chickenpox vaccine—all children entering preschool, grades K through 4, and grades 6-8 must be vaccinated against chickenpox. It is recommended that children have a total of two vaccinations for chickenpox.
   

Make sure to discuss these and other health care concerns with your child’s doctor at your next checkup appointment. If your child has a chronic health condition, inform the doctor and ask the doctor which vaccine is safe for your child. If you child is only temporarily sick (perhaps with a cold), make a date to return for the vaccine when he or she is well.

Natalie Langston-Davis, MD, MPH is a board-certified pediatrician and an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Montefiore Medical Center.

Information about school health requirements: City Health Information-www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/chi/chi.shtml