Get ready for Santa!
Get ready for Santa! He’s going to make an early stop Dec. 5, from 1-5 p.m., in our Beaches office. Reservations are required. Please call either of our offices to hold your spot! We welcome one and all to come and have a photo made with Santa, courtesy of Pediatric Care Centers. You’re also welcome to snap your own pictures of jolly old St. Nick with your phone or camera. There’ll be juice boxes and candy canes for our visitors, too. Be sure to stop by for some face time with Santa!
More Facts about Flu
Each year, we at Pediatric Care Centers recommend that our patients are brought in for flu shots. That’s the best means in pediatrics to prevent flu in children. If your children haven’t already received their shots, please call the office soon to schedule an appointment. However, what if despite the best-laid plans your child comes down with something that looks like a cold and may be the flu? How can you tell the difference? Symptoms of Flu The best way to think of flu symptoms? Like those of a cold but usually worse. Symptoms of flu: High-grade fever – up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit Chills Extreme tiredness Headache and body aches Sore throat Vomiting and/or belly pain What to Do and When to Call If you see three or more of these symptoms, you should suspect your child has flu and call our care providers. Don’t hesitate to call! We can give your child anti-virus medicine like Tamiflu to limit the extent of the flu. However, the medicine must be given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Note that because flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not work; only anti-viral medications do. Now, with cold and flu season upon us, here are more warning signs that should trigger a call to the doctor – if your child: Is three months old or younger and has a fever Has trouble breathing or fast breathing Appears very weak or very fussy Won’t drink fluids and urinates hardly at all Children who suffer from chronic diseases like asthma, heart conditions or diabetes are at higher risk of complications from the flu. We’ll be more than happy to discuss what to do for onset of colds or flu during routine exams and at times when you have special concerns. Remember: Flu is contagious and is easily passed on in environments like schools or day care where children are in close quarters. Teachers are usually on high alert to detect children who may be becoming ill and will advise you if they suspect a problem. Despite all of these warnings, let us assure you that it is likely symptoms will be mild or moderate if your child contracts the flu. Regardless, we stand ready to talk with you by phone or see your child if there is any doubt and provide the appropriate treatment.
Watch Us Grow!
We are pleased to announce that like our young patients, our practice is growing and thriving! In early January, we’ll have the official opening of a Pediatric Care Centers branch in Orange Park. We have purchased the practice of Dr. Daya Patel, who is retiring. All of our Westside neighbors are welcome to stop by and check it out once we open. The address is 1543 Kingsley Avenue, Building 9, Orange Park, FL 32073. Watch for more news about our new branch office in upcoming communications.
MyHealthRecord.com Patient Portal
After ten years serving families in Jacksonville, we know the importance of providing our patient families with the highest quality of care and most convenient overall experience. That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of our new MyHealthRecord.com patient portal, which will provide our patient families with real-time access to important health information whenever and wherever they need it. “Our new patient portal is a secure, convenient way to manage your child’s personal health care records and appointments and communicate with our office online,” said Dr. Norberto Benitez. “We want to provide our patient families with the best technology available to ensure the highest-quality care for their children, and this portal is another example of our commitment.” This FREE self-service health management tool can improve interactions with our office, allowing you to document important health care information and ultimately, giving you the ability to make more informed decisions about your child’s health. At MyHealthRecord.com you can: Securely message our Team Review appointments Request prescription refills or view lab results Send your records to other healthcare providers And the best part about it is that you can log in from any web browser, including your mobile device. Call our office at (904) 249-3373 and request an emailed invitation to the MyHealthRecord.com patient portal. After completing the simple setup process you will be able to log in and start using the new portal immediately.
When Is It Time for Your Grown Child to Leave the Practice?
All of our patients at Pediatric Care Centers are very important to us, from the first moment they arrive. But there comes a time when our teens begin to think about leaving the practice. As they consider a move to an adult family practice, they’ll do so from a physical, behavioral and emotional point of view. “As pediatricians, we are trained to care for children from newborns to age 21. Some practices treat them through the end of their college years. However, from the time of puberty on, our teens may experience concerns about which pediatrician, male or female, is seeing him or her and whether they are comfortable during examinations,” said Dr. Benitez. “We are sensitive to their concerns and are happy to discuss with them and their parents any adjustments they’d like to make.” In addition, the child entering the teen years is interested in taking on more control of the health care process. Talks with their peers may lead them to question why they remain in a pediatric practice. Your teen will begin to take more interest in health care decisions, asking more questions of the parents and health care providers and discussing issues that are important to them. When this happens, it’s best to communicate openly and encourage them to speak up. The first step they take toward treatment independence may be your child asking you to wait outside the examining room during the visit. Here are some ways you can guide your child in learning how to navigate the health care process: Encourage your child to make the call with you to schedule pediatrician visits. Encourage children with chronic diseases to learn more about their medications and possible side effects. Have your children write down questions for the pediatrician before each visit. Have your children carry their own health insurance cards. Keep an open mind about changes in health care providers and be available to discuss them. Your pediatrician may be able to recommend a family practice doctor or answer any questions you have about helping your child transition to an adult doctor. Do not hesitate to ask for help with this important transition.
How to Keep an Upbeat Environment for Kids
As children grow, they and their families can be exposed to a variety of stresses. Pressures at home, school and in the community can take away from parents’ ability to provide a creative, positive environment. Uncertainties around finances, reward and punishment, social media, peer pressure and many others can create challenges for parents raising their children in a complicated world. Pediatricians are aware of the physical, emotional and social needs of children from infants to adolescents, and they can provide an objective point of view regarding this issue. At Pediatric Care Centers, our pediatricians and nurse practitioners are experienced with children and parents with many similarities – and differences. Many of them, along with our support staff, are parents themselves with many years of childrearing experience. They can discuss with you the issues that arise and can respond with confidential, helpful advice. Some starting points for parents on raising healthy, happy children despite the stressors around them: Encourage free play at all ages. Maintain basic safety considerations, but allow your child to play at frequent intervals without parental supervision. Allow children to follow their own creative directions away from the TV and tablet toward blocks, books, crayons, dress-up, games and outdoor play. Example: Set up an “art table” where your child can color, draw and paint without supervision. Set aside time to focus on the child – to talk, read, and share family stories – while showing warmth and caring. Example: Use the hour before bedtime as time reserved exclusively for quiet time with your child. Provide consistency in the home through regular schedules and routines so the children know what to expect in the course of the day. Example: Establish a dinner hour or breakfast time when children and parents can come together to prepare and eat a meal. Reward positive behaviors. Teach and strengthen those behaviors you want them to follow, like sharing, good manners, empathy for others. Model good, predictable behavior, and demonstrate respectful communication, rather than harsh criticism. Example: Teach table manners at meals – how to hold utensils, pass plates, serve themselves, say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ Allow your child to follow the interests that inspire him or her to explore the world around them. Example: Show an interest and give positive feedback to your child who prefers dance to organized sports or drama club to parties. If you are concerned that your child is experiencing too much stress and may be negatively affected, contact a pediatrician to get more insight on what you can do to help. Sources for articles this month: American Academy of Pediatrics: Tips for Parents of Adolescents Pediatrics (Journal): Guidance for Effective Discipline Everyday Health: How Old is Too Old for a Pediatrician Wall Street Journal: When Are Your Kids Too Old for the Pediatrician? Center for Advancing Health: Monitoring Your Child’s Development: Your Pediatrician Can Help
Spotlight on Dental Health
With the major winter holidays just around the corner, treats may be in abundance whether you’re at home or visiting family and friends. We all recognize that too many sweet treats are a threat to dental health. Here’s some advice on good dental hygiene for your young ones from your Pediatric Care Centers pediatricians and nurse practitioners, the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Association of Pediatric Dentistry. Cavities in Baby Teeth Cavities matter, even in baby teeth. Cavities are caused by the bacteria that collect on teeth after sugars are eaten. The longer and more frequently the teeth are exposed to sugars, the more likely cavities will occur. Studies show that one in 10 two-year-olds have one or more cavities. Because cavities in baby teeth can negatively affect permanent teeth, it’s a good idea to start good dental hygiene habits early. Here are the most important steps to take once the first tooth has erupted: For babies and toddlers to age 3, the teeth should be brushed gently twice a day with a soft-bristled brush using just a rice-sized dot of fluoride toothpaste. By age three, use a pea-sized dot of toothpaste. Clean each tooth thoroughly, top and bottom, back and front. Supervise your toddlers as they brush so they’re sure to reach each surface. Children about age six to eight should be able to brush by themselves. Experts agree that by age one year, your young child should see a pediatric or general-care dentist to begin regular checkups. Cut the Sugar! Maintaining a balanced diet with few sweet snacks is the best way to ensure healthy teeth. Sticky foods like chewy candies, dried fruit, and gum are the biggest offenders. Sugar-containing beverages also pose risks for your child’s dental health, especially when given in a sippy cup or bottle. Here are some tips for making your child’s diet more tooth-friendly. Limit sugary treats to special occasions. Make sure your child brushes under your supervision after eating sugary treats. Avoid giving your child a bottle containing juice or milk at naptime or bedtime. Substitute plain water. Limit the time your child carries around and drinks juice or other sweet beverages in a sippy cup. Substitute plain water for hydration between meals. It’s never too early to show your child that good dental care is part of the family’s daily routine. Make twice-daily brushing a fun, stress-free experience for your child, and the result will be a lifetime of dental health. One Final Thought: Thumb Sucking and Your Child’s Teeth Thumb sucking and finger or pacifier sucking are not unusual in babies. The habit may continue through the toddler years, usually ending by the time the child is four. Experts say there is usually no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age six – about the time the permanent front teeth come in. After age four, have your dentist reassess the teeth for any changes caused by sucking at each dental visit. We welcome your questions about dental care issues during your child’s regular checkups. The Pediatric Care Centers staff will be happy to advise you about ways to prevent cavities and encourage good dental hygiene.
Talk With Your Pediatrician About Your Child’s Allergies
Allergies are a common occurrence among children. Ask any allergy doctor in the Jacksonville area, and he or she will tell you there’s no shortage of allergens – materials that cause itchiness, runny noses, sneezing, skin rashes, wheezing – in the local air, water, food and other sources. Is it an Allergy? How to Get Started Because allergies are so prevalent, it’s a good idea to work closely with your pediatrician as soon as you suspect allergies are a problem. The first step is to have your child take an environmental and food panel blood test to determine if an allergy or another illness is the cause of symptoms. Narrowing down the many possible sources of allergies is the key to starting on an effective treatment plan. In the past, people tended to guess about which foods or inhalants were causing symptoms, and incorrect guesses meant treatment delays or failures. Today there are scientific methods available through your pediatrician to get to the source of the problem quickly and accurately. Prevention and Treatment Your pediatrician will work with you to suggest ways you can make your environment inside and outside the home more allergen-free. In the case of allergies to weeds or tree pollen, for example, it might be advisable to clear your yard of the worst offenders. Dust and dust mite allergies may be partially controlled by encasing bed mattresses and pillows in plastic covers and removing stuffed toys from the bedroom. If your child is shown to have more severe allergies such as to nuts or eggs, for example, you will be referred to a pediatric allergist familiar with avoiding exposure and handling serious reactions. Your pediatrician will have lots of advice for you about managing your child’s allergies. Medications may be prescribed to keep symptoms under control after your pediatrician has discussed with you the risks and benefits. Round-the-Clock Care is a Plus! Regardless of the source, allergic symptoms can emerge at any time despite the best-laid plans. At Pediatric Care Centers, we have providers available around the clock, including nights and weekends. Health professionals are always on hand to take your call or have you come in for a visit.
What To Expect On Your First Prenatal Visit To The Pediatrician
Janet Parry – 3rd Quarter Employee of the Month
Janet came to work with us to acquire the 1000 hours in clinical work required to apply to Physician’s Assistant school. She has become a wonderful addition and great asset to the PCC family. How long have you worked with us? A Little over a year – 13 months Do you have any pets? I have a dog named Porkchop. He’s half pit-bull and half wiener What is your education? I currently have a Bachelors of Science in exercise science from Florida State University. I am persuing a Physician Assistant Masters Degree. I just finished all my applications to programs, and anxiously waiting to hear back. Do you have any hobbies? My hobbies include reading, running, and watching movies. I am a secret SYFI nerd! And I enjoy spending my free time with family and friends. Also attend FSU and Jaguar football games. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Jacksonville. Went to Bishop Kenny High School. Class of 2010 and St. Paul’s at the Beaches for Elementary and Middle school. What’s the best part of your job? My favorite part of my job is working with an amazing team. The PCC team supports me in and out of the office. I’ve learned a great deal from the amazing providers and fellow co-workers. I also enjoy my small role in helping others! I wish to give back and help as many lives as I can, and Pediatric Care Center enables me to do so.