Preventive medicine is the key to overall wellness. If
parents stress the importance of seeing a primary care provider (PCP) when
their children are young there is a good chance the children will continue to
see a PCP as they get older. Cogan, Josberger, Gesten, and Roohan (2012)
performed a study in a low-income New
York City area that showed a positive correlation
between prenatal care and Well-Child Visits (WCVs). The American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP, 2015) recommends at least nine WCVs in the first two years
of life, then annually thereafter. Cogan et al. concluded that women who
receive intensive or adequate prenatal care were more likely to bring their
children for WCVs.
One area of focus at the Michigan State University Institute
for Health Policy (IHP) is maternal and child health. According to the IHP
(2015), WCVs should include a physical exam, shots (immunizations), blood lead
testing, growth and developmental checks, hearing and vision checks, and dental
referrals. The actual Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment
(EPSDT) form guides the PCP as to what screenings are recommended at what age,
including safety, nutrition, physical activity, oral health, development and
behavior, family relationships/support, substance abuse risk, and
psychosocial/behavior assessment.
The EPSDT forms consist of four sections: the physical exam,
the developmental surveillance checklist, a form for foster care children, and
educational materials for the parent.
Examples of the first two forms are shown below for
adolescents/young adults 15-18:
References
American
Academy of Pediatrics.
(2015). Well-child care: A check up for
success. Retrieved from www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life-health-management/Pages/well-child-care-a-check-up-for success.aspx
Cogan, L., Josberger, R., Gesten, F., & Roohan, P.
(2012). Can prenatal care impact future well-child visits? The experience of a low-income population in New York State Medicaid managed care. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(1), 92-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0710-8
Institute for Health Policy. (2015). Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) form. Retrieved from
ihp.msu.edu/index.php/2-general/7-epsdt-clinician-toolkit
Excellent information for exoecting mothers at any age.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog. The Institute for Health Policy website as indicated in the reference section list several resources for women and children. Some of the links include assisting parents to receive free screening, dental services, and transportation services.
ReplyDeleteGood information for parents and future parents. The key is getting parents and adolescents to fill out the documentation in its entirety.
ReplyDeleteHi Alishia,
DeleteThank you for contributing to the discussion. I agree gathering the information is the key, however, the first form posted is filled out by the provider during the visit and the only form the parents need to complete is the second one above, which is done at check in prior to the provider starting the visit.
Thanks again,
Kiesha
Hi, Kiesha,
DeleteI have a question for you. How do you perform an oral screening? Do you use a visual screening method? Dental hygienists use a dental mirror and a dental explorer to perform an oral screening to detect possible decay.
Wanda
Hi Wanda,
DeleteThere is no standardized oral screening in primary care. Most providers just note the condition of the patient's teeth, if there are dentures present, or if there are any abnormalities found. It is common practice to refer patients to a dentist for further evaluation and maintenance of oral health.
Kiesha