A Guide On Child Doctors
Childhood is a very critical formative stage. During this period, any child undergoes rapid changes in their physical, cognitive, and social development. A child is likely to encounter many health challenges during their development. The quality of healthcare during childhood will have a significant impact on health outcomes in adult life. Here are critical highlights on child doctors that each parent should know.
What Is a Child Health Doctor?
A child doctor is a medical professional specializing in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions that affect children. Child doctors are graduates from medical school and also undergo rigorous examination by the relevant health board. More so, specialists undergo continuing education to remain certified.
Types of Child Doctors
There are several types of medical child professionals that your child is likely to encounter. The doctors include the following:
Pediatrician
The pediatrician is the most common childhood medical specialist. These doctors conduct regular physical exams on children, provide disease care and treatment for common and severe illnesses. A pediatrician oversees child care until children reach 16 to 17 years of age. Primarily, a child needs to see the pediatrician more in their youngest years for regular check-ups and emergency treatments. Ordinarily, the pediatrician will assess the baby's weight and development during the baby and child visits. Also, the practitioner will administer vaccinations. The number of check-ups reduces as the child grows up.
Pediatric Dentist
Your child will need to start seeing a dentist when they get their first teeth. According to the American Dental Association, children should see a dentist no later than their first birthday. When a child sees the dentist early, it is possible to detect oral problems and set up a routine for dental health. Typically, dental visits involve taking X-rays to detect obstruction, teeth removal, cavity checks, and teeth cleaning. Should the child's teeth have malocclusion and obstructions, the pediatric dentist may refer parents to take their child to an orthodontist.
Pediatric Optometrist
An optometrist is a doctor who specializes in eye care. The first eye exam happens immediately after delivery to inspect how the eyes respond to light. After that, a pediatrician will regularly conduct eye inspections. Some eye problems may include difficulties in seeing or eye infections. Whenever the pediatrician detects signs of eye problems, he or she will refer the child to a pediatric optometrist. Fundamentally, early eye inspections are essential in screening for vision problems and taking appropriate measures.
The primary healthcare physician for your child will be the pediatrician. This specialist will help you oversee your child's health care and, if necessary, refer your kid to an additional specialist. Thus, it becomes imperative to develop a long-lasting healthcare relationship with your child's doctor.
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