Please take a moment to read our most commonly asked questions. We're always available to answer your questions and encourage you to contact our office if you have a question that is not answered below.
Q: What is a Pediatrician?
A: A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children. Pediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens and young adults, and the majority of pediatricians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics after passing a comprehensive exam.
Pediatricians provide preventive health care for children in good health and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide parents with support and advice with issues such as growth and development, safety and prevention, nutrition, and emotional wellness to foster a lifetime of good health.
Q: What is a Pediatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)?
A: Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) are a vital part of the health sytem of the United States. They are registered nurses educated at Masters or post Masters level and in a specific role and patient population. APRNs are prepared by education and certification to assess, diagnose, and manage patient problems, order tests, and prescribe medications.
Pediatric APRN's provide preventive health care for children in good health and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide parents with support and advice with issues such as growth and development, safety and prevention, nutrition, and emotional wellness to foster a lifetime of good health.
Q: Can I meet my pediatrician before my baby is born?
A: Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to visit our office for a prenatal appointment. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and our doctors. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child. Visit our expectant parent's page for more information.
Q: How often should my child see the pediatrician?
A: Your child should not only see the pediatrician for an illness. It is also important to schedule well-child-care exams regularly, beginning in infancy. Also called well-care visits or checkups, these routine examinations provide the best opportunity for the doctor to observe the progress of your child's physical and mental growth and development; to counsel and teach parents; to detect problems through screening tests; to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another. Well-care visits are strongly recommended as part of preventive pediatric care.
Well-child visits are also a good time for parents to raise questions and concerns about a child's development, behavior, nutrition, safety and overall well-being.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits*:
- 3 to 5 days*
- 2 weeks+
- 1 month* (screening forms)
- 2 months* (vaccinations, screening forms)
- 4 months* (vaccinations, screening forms)
- 6 months* (vaccinations, if patient has tooth/teeth fluoride treatment)
- 9 months* (screening forms, if patient has tooth/teeth fluoride treatment)
- 12 months* (lead level, hemoglobin, vaccinations, if patient has tooth/teeth fluoride treatment)
- 15 months* (vaccinations, fluoride treatment)
- 18 months* (vaccinations, screening forms, fluoride treatment)
- 24 months* (screening forms, lead level, fluoride treatment)
- 30 months* (vaccinations, lead level, fluoride treatment)
- 3 years* (fluoride treatment, vision screening, urinalysis)
- 4 years* (vaccinations, vision screening, hemoglobin, urinalysis, hearing exam, screening forms)
- ages 5 years to 21 years (hemoglobin, urinalysis, vision, hearing, mental health & behavioral assessments, vaccinations age dependent)
- +Our providers like to see our patients at two weeks of age, this will be billed not as a preventative visit, but an evaluation and management visit. We recommend you consult your insurance company PRIOR to this visit for their provisions within your plan.
Q: What is the best way to schedule an appointment with your office?
A: You can schedule an appointment by calling our office during regular business hours.
Q: Is your office accepting new patients?
A: Yes, we will accept new patients from newborn to age 15 years. We have guidelines when making a new patient appointment, we require the patients medical record prior to booking any appointment and prefer the initial office visit be a preventative exam. Please see the insurance page on this website or contact our offices in regards to insurance constraints, .
Q: Why does my child need to receive vaccinations?
A: Yes, Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, and potentially fatal, childhood diseases. Making sure your child receives immunizations when scheduled is the best way to help protect your child from potentially fatal diseases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%. If you're apprehensive about vaccinations, please do not hesitate to contact our office.