Healthy Families | Back-to-School Physicals and Wellness Visits
When should parents schedule a back-to-school physical, and why is it important to do it before the August rush?
Preparing for a successful school year involves much more than buying school supplies and new clothes. Routine physicals, wellness visits, vision screenings, hearing checks, and immunization reviews all help ensure children are healthy, prepared, and ready to learn when the first school bell rings.
In this Healthy Families discussion, Deanna Padilla, FNP-C, Associate Medical Director at Omni Family Health, explains why July is often the ideal time for families to schedule back-to-school appointments. Planning ahead can help parents avoid last-minute stress while giving providers enough time to identify and address any concerns before classes begin.
Routine well-child visits are important for children of all ages, not just student athletes. These appointments allow healthcare providers to monitor growth and development, review immunizations, perform preventive screenings, and identify issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Vision screenings, hearing exams, and anemia checks can uncover concerns that affect a child’s success both inside and outside the classroom.
The conversation also highlights the importance of staying current on immunizations. Vaccines help protect children, classrooms, and communities from preventable illnesses while helping families meet school and daycare requirements.
Parents often have busy summer schedules, making it easy to postpone healthcare appointments. However, waiting until the final weeks before school starts can lead to scheduling challenges and unnecessary stress. By taking care of preventive visits earlier in the summer, families have more time to address any follow-up needs and focus on enjoying the remainder of their break.
At many Omni Family Health locations, families can access medical care, dental services, optometry, behavioral health services, and pharmacy support, making it easier to coordinate care in one convenient location.
Connected by Care means helping families stay healthy through preventive services that support children’s growth, development, and success both in school and beyond.