What if there was a way to inexpensively make sure your child was healthy and you had the opportunity to ask a physician all of the health and medical questions you’ve been asking Google? In Minnesota, there is an easy way, and it’s called Child and Teen Checkup visits.
Child and Teen Checkups or C & TC visits are offered throughout the state of Minnesota. Many children and teens are already receiving annual sports physicals, but it is important parents and children aren’t solely relying on sports physicals as their primary doctor visits. A-C & TC visits will cover much more ground and be a better source of information.
What will they do at a C & TC visit?
You can expect a C & TC visit to include a head-to-toe physical exam, immunizations, a hearing, and a vision exam, lab tests to check for diseases and exposures, a development and growth check, and referral to a dentist who will do an oral checkup.
Who can get a checkup?
Every child, teen, and young adult should be receiving regular checkups, but how often is regular?
- Babies: birth and one month and then at two, four, six, nine, twelve, fifteen, and eighteen months.
- Toddlers: yearly checkup at ages two, three, four, five, and six
- Children and Teens: every other year from ages six to 20
Why get a checkup?
These visits are accepted as the required physical examinations and checkups for programs such as:
- Head Start
- WIN
- School
- Childcare
- Sports
The checkups are important for so many reasons, including having the peace of mind that your child is healthy and developing, and growing well. By having regular checkups in children and teens, healthcare providers can detect and treat any health or oral issues early on. The lab tests that are done in C & TC visits will also determine if the child has anemia or has been exposed to things like lead or Tuberculosis.
You will receive important information about your child’s health from the provider at the checkups. These regular visits are also the perfect time for you or your child to ask questions or bring up any concerns that you may be having.
A common topic that might be brought up is vaccinations, especially vaccinations that are highly recommended but not yet required, like the HPV vaccine. It is recommended that all boys and girls ages 11 and 12 should receive an HPV shot to prevent the spread of HPV, as well as certain cancers in the future. Learn more about the HPV vaccine available at Altru Health System.
