It is important to have a primary provider and to use the same provider as much as possible for your child's health care needs. Our providers:

• Help you get care for your child
• Provide care when your child is sick
• Know your child's medical history and the family history
• Keep track of your child's medical services, such as immunizations (shots)
• Can give you important information about your child's growth and development
• Refer your child to a specialist when needed
• Help to coordinate your child's health needs

Well child visits (or check-ups) are important, even when children are healthy. Well child check-ups will help to keep your child healthy. Your child's provider will evaluate your child's general health, growth and development. Your child's provider will also give you information and give your child needed medical services, such as:

• Health exams
• Tests, such as vision, hearing and lab services
• Shots (vaccinations)
• Lead screening (children under 3 years or as needed for older children)
• Tracking growth and development
• Medical referrals to specialists, if needed

With the help of regular well child visits, your child’s provider can often detect and address health problems before they become more serious.

Your children's personal doctor will review your child's health and family history. Well child visits let you and your child get to know the provider and the provider can get to know you and your child. The provider will keep your child's medical record. Ask your questions…these visits are the time to ask and receive information about:

• Health and safety
• Nutrition and diet
• Physical fitness and general health care
• Sleep habits
• Growth and development
• Behavior and discipline
• Problems such as emotional, socialization, learning, or concerns about family problems or about puberty and teenage years

An exam when your child is sick focuses on the illness or problem, and your provider will not likely have as much time to do a full exam. Your child will get a complete exam at the well child visit. Make your appointment right away!