The back-to-school checklist every family needs for a healthy school year

Sheela Gavvala, DO; Stephanie Handal, OD; and Beatriz Ortega, DDS, DMS. (Photo by UTHealth Houston)

Welcome to "Ask the Expert," a UTHealth Houston newsroom series where our leading physicians examine pressing health challenges. For the next month, we’re sharing tips on how families and kids can set themselves up for a healthy, successful school year. In this edition, we address back-to-school appointments. 

As families prepare for back to school, it’s the perfect time to make sure kids are starting the year healthy and ready to learn. Getting physical exams, staying up to date on vaccines, scheduling eye exams, and adding a dental visit to the calendar all help set them up for a strong, confident start to the school year.

Starting the school year off right

Back to school appointments are one of the best ways to ensure kids start healthy and prepared. Vaccines are crucial and safe tools that give kids the best chance of staying healthy. They can prevent or reduce the severity of illnesses caused by infections that can sometimes be life-threatening. Staying up to date also supports herd immunity, protecting the broader community and those who are most vulnerable. 

If your child is participating in extracurricular activities that require an annual physical, parents can expect an exam much like a wellness appointment. During the appointment, children will undergo a comprehensive checkup by their doctor, and the physician will review your child’s medical history, including immunizations. This assessment should include analyzing a child’s development to ensure kids are meeting appropriate milestones. If there are any screening tests that your doctor recommends, such as blood work to check for high cholesterol or anemia, these will be discussed then. 

Your child’s pediatrician will also spend time discussing emotional or mental health and safety with teenagers on their own. This will help create a confidential, safe space for teens to ask their own questions and start taking ownership of their health. These wellness checks are a great time for you or your child to bring up other health-related concerns. 

Wellness exams matter because they give pediatricians a chance to catch potential health issues early, track growth and development, and make sure kids have the support they need to stay healthy throughout the year.

-By Sheela Gavvala, DO, associate professor and pediatrician at UTHealth Houston

A clear view for the year ahead 

Kids’ bodies are always growing and changing, and their eyes are doing the same. That’s why keeping up with annual eye exams is so important. For kids who already wear glasses, that yearly visit helps make sure they’re in the most up?to?date and appropriate prescription so they can see clearly and fully participate in the world around them. And it’s just as important for kids who don’t wear glasses yet. An annual exam lets us check that their vision hasn’t changed, confirm whether they still don’t need glasses, or prescribe them if they do. It also gives us a chance to make sure their eyes are healthy and developing normally.

As kids become teens and young adults, a few new eye health considerations start to show up. One of the biggest is the growing myopia epidemic. With increased time spent on computers, phones, and tablets, kids are becoming increasingly nearsighted. Limiting screen time and using myopia management strategies can help keep them from needing stronger and stronger glasses every year. We also have to think about teenagers who are starting to drive. We want them to be as safe as possible on the road, and part of that is making sure they can see clearly. Having an eye exam before they begin learning to drive can be a vital part of helping them become safe, responsible drivers.

Throughout the year, there are simple ways parents can help their kids maintain good eye health. Keeping up with annual exams and making sure kids are wearing their most up to date glasses goes a long way. Limiting screen time (within reason) and encouraging outdoor play or sports can help protect their vision. For kids who wear contact lenses, proper handwashing and hygiene are essential. And if you think there might be a problem, don’t wait—schedule an appointment with us so we can take a look.

-By Stephanie Handal, OD, optometrist with the Robert Cizik Eye Clinic at UTHealth Houston

Start the year with a healthy smile 

Good oral health begins early in life, and parents play a crucial role in helping children develop healthy habits that last a lifetime. According to the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, establishing a routine of preventive dental care is one of the most effective ways to protect children’s teeth and overall health. Childhood dental anxiety is a major factor that can hinder dental visits and negatively affect long-term oral health. Therefore, it is important for parents to establish healthy routines early in their children’s lives to build lifelong habits and maintain good oral health.

Regular dental appointments should be scheduled every six months, depending on the patient's tooth decay risk. For patients at high risk of developing cavities, more frequent visits every three to four months are recommended for follow-up, fluoride application, and the implementation of more intensive preventive measures.

One of the most common questions parents and caregivers may have is, “What can I do to prevent cavities and ensure my child has healthier teeth?” The answer begins long before the dental appointment. The habits established at home during the first years of life are crucial for preventing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. To get a good start on oral health early on in life, families should: 

• Make brushing a family activity by brushing together twice a day.
• Create a consistent routine by brushing every morning and before bedtime.
• Use songs, timers, or reward charts to make brushing fun.
• Encourage healthy eating habits by limiting sugary drinks and snacks.
• Replace toothbrushes every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
• Continue supervising and assisting with brushing until children can brush effectively on their own, typically around ages 7 to 8.

Good oral health begins at home through simple daily habits, positive parental role modeling, and regular dental checkups. No effort is too small when it comes to preventing disease and teaching our children how to care for their health. Every brushing routine, every decision to drink water instead of sugary beverages, and every dental visit is an investment in a healthier future. By working together, parents and dental professionals can give children one of life’s greatest gifts: a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

-By Beatriz Ortega, DDS, DMS, a dentist with UT Dentists

All quotes should be attributed to the respective subject matter expert. 

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