Summer is winding down and the new school year is approaching. Make sure your child has a safe and healthy school year by checking these items off your to-do list! The Oakland County Health Division has provided a few ways in which you can make sure your child is ready to learn.
Stay up to date on routine vaccines.
Immunization is the best way to protect your family and community against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, mumps and rubella. Vaccines are safe and effective and have played a significant role in preventing the spread of life-threatening diseases in our communities for decades. Following the CDC-recommended immunization schedule protects children and teens from 16 vaccine-preventable diseases by age 18.
It’s normal to have questions—it makes you a good parent! Make sure you are getting answers from credible sources. Talk to your child’s doctor and explore resources like IVaccinate.org. You can also call the Health Division’s Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 or email noc@oakgov.com with questions.
Now’s the time for parents to call their child’s health care provider and schedule an appointment to get caught up on routine vaccinations. Immunizations are also available at the Health Division offices in Pontiac and Southfield for all ages. Appointments are available or you can walk-in.
Make sure your child is in attendance on hearing and vision screening days.
Hearing and vision screenings are required by Michigan Law (Public Health Code 368 of 1978) and the Health Division provides this service annually in most Oakland County schools at no cost. Screenings help identify vision and hearing difficulties that can affect a child’s school performance, speech and language skills and social development. OCHD Public Health Technicians conduct hearing and vision screenings to make parents/guardians aware if a child may need further follow-up from a doctor. Vision screening occurs in pre-school, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th grades. Hearing screening occurs in pre-school, kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades. Your child’s school will notify you about scheduled screening dates in the school year. Please ensure your student is in attendance on screening days. For more information: visit http://www.oakgov.com/health, call OCHD’s Hearing and Vision program at 248-424-7070, or contact your child’s school.
Schedule a dental screening before your child starts kindergarten.
Did you know we offer Kindergarten dental screening for children who live or learn in Oakland County? On Dec. 29, 2020, a new law passed in Michigan recommending students entering kindergarten have a dental screening before or shortly after their first school year begins. Dental cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease. Cavities can cause pain and lead to infections in other parts of the body. Tooth pain can make eating difficult, causing children to not get adequate nutrition. It can also affect speaking, going to school, paying attention in class, playing, and sleeping. Dental screenings help identify problems and assist families in finding available resources. Call today to schedule a dental screening for your child! Call 1.800.848.5533 to schedule an appointment or schedule an appointment online.
If you have any questions about Oakland County Health Division’s program, visit www.oakgov.com/health, or call Nurse on Call at 1-800-848-5533 or email noc@oakgov.com.
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