For many families, the past year has presented one challenge after another.
Daily routines — like school and health checkups — have taken a big hit in California. Even summer breaks will be a little different in 2021, as the state is gearing up for special summer school programs to get kids back to basics after a year of remote learning.
When it comes to your own family’s health and wellness, many things may have fallen to the wayside in the past year. According to a new poll done by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, 1 in 3 parents have reported difficulties getting dental care for their children during the pandemic.
With all the disruptions brought on by the pandemic, it’s important to get your child back on track so that they don’t fall behind on their oral health.
Below are a few easy tips for getting caught up on your family’s health this year, including reprioritizing your child’s dental care (and why you need to).
Get Back on Track with Routine and Preventative Dental Care
When the world hit the “pause” button, just about every part of daily life was put on hold — including going to the dentist.
While your family may have tried to maintain your important health and dental appointments, fear of a COVID-19 outbreak in small indoor settings may have made it difficult.
California communities everywhere experienced health disruptions during the pandemic. It’s understandable if your child may have had to miss a dental appointment in 2020 and 2021.
But studies show how important dental health is for children — and how their habits now can impact their dental health well into adulthood.
“We see significant dental health disparities among children in Los Angeles County, with children from families with lower incomes more likely to have cavities and less likely to have access to dental care,” said Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D. and Director of Public Health for the state of California.
Check-ins are essential for your dentist to assess your child’s dental needs, update their X-rays, and check for any new cavities or other issues.
“Parents who were unable to get a dental appointment for their child should check back with their regular dentist, as lengthy wait times or patient restrictions may have changed,” says Sarah Clark, co-director of the Mott poll.
At Children’s Choice, we’ve taken measures to prioritize your family’s health and safety throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so as we return to normal life.
Because of our commitment to protecting your family throughout the pandemic and beyond, it’s safe to go to the dentist during COVID.
You can rest assured you’ll be able to get the dental exams and cleanings your child needs, as well as any emergency care with us at Children’s Choice.
Understanding Your Medi-Cal Dental Benefits
At Children’s Choice, we understand that this past year included many changes, including insurance coverage changes. Our Choice pediatric dentists and associates are proud Medi-Cal Dental/Denti-Cal providers.
If your family is newly uninsured, we offer the following for new patients to help you make dental care a priority:
- A complimentary exam and X-rays
- A complimentary dental cleaning*
We also offer the following for more restorative and preventive care support*:
- Complimentary nitrous oxide gas treatment
- Complimentary fluoride treatment
Check out our special offers today >
Our goal is to help you and your family bounce back from these difficult times.
Contact us to learn more about the dental services covered at Children’s Choice >
Restructure At-home Routines
Much has changed in your day-to-day routines this past year. And this adjustment has been the hardest for children.
You can help your child deal re-establish healthy routines at home with the following steps:
- Brushing and flossing teeth, in the morning and at night
- Making beds
- Picking out a clean outfit to wear
- Eating a healthy breakfast
- Working on school projects (and taking small breaks for snacks and rest)
- Going outside for a walk or hike
- Having family meals together
- Reading books in the evening before bed
Be sure to allow small breaks between activities, as too much screen time and school activities can be exhausting for children (and adults!)
This might also be a great opportunity to find new ways to connect with your kids, like building weekly hikes, crafts, or special meals into your weekly routines.
Our personal favorite is following LeBron James’ family tradition of Taco Tuesday. But you can get as creative as you like!
Get Your Kids Back on Track at Children’s Choice
As a parent, we know how stressful it can feel to have your family’s health thrown off course.
If they’ve missed several essential appointments throughout 2020, it can feel overwhelming to get back on track.
At Children’s Choice, we make coming in to see the dentist easy, fun, comfortable, and affordable for your family.
We’d love to help you schedule your child’s next dentist appointment and get back on target with routine care and all your dental needs.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment in our offices >
*Special offers intended for newly uninsured patients and may not be combined. Offers may not apply for patients with contracted insurance plans and covered benefits. Contact our office for more details.