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 Healthy Smiles helps kids get a perfect checkup Do you know anyone who likes dental checkups? Ask around, and the aversion is probably directly related to painful dental experiences in childhood. Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County is dedicated to reversing that trend. Launched in 2003 by the Children & Families Commission of Orange County, Healthy Smiles aims to improve the oral health of children through education, prevention and treatment. A 2005 study found that 34 percent of Orange County kindergartners had untreated tooth decay, higher than the 27 percent rate for the state of California. “It’s our goal to reduce that rate by 50 percent over the next five years,” says Executive Director Susan Bolton. Their 14,000-square-foot facility in Garden Grove features the Tooth Fairy Learning Center, where kids can become comfortable and familiar with dental equipment. The center’s staff utilizes puppets and kid-oriented lesson plans geared to each age level. Outreach programs to Orange County children are presented at schools, health fairs and doctor’s offices. The basic message to kids is: Take care of those teeth! Dental decay is a disease that is not only painful; the premature loss of “baby teeth” causes adult teeth to come in poorly. “We believe that if we can start early and often with children … we can, in fact, eradicate this disease,” Bolton says. For more information on Healthy Smiles, call 714. 532.7935 or log on to healthysmilesOC.org. Child obesity It’s not getting worse That’s the good news: There was no significant increase in obesity in U.S. children and teens between 1999 and 2006, in contrast to the increase in obesity rates that had been reported in prior years, according to a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Researchers obtained height and weight measurements from 8,165 children and teens as part of the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys, which represent kids from across the U.S But we still can do much more toward improving kids’ diets and encouraging them to get off the couch. As another school year starts, pack healthy school lunches and encourage kids to choose lower-fat options at the school cafeteria. We can encourage their participation in sports and other physical activities. And we can set a good example, on these lovely September evenings, with a family walk or a bike ride after dinner. Cell phones and brain cancer Is there a connection? According to new research out of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, there is “a growing body of literature linking long-term cell-phone use to possible adverse health effects, including cancer,” says Dr. Ronald Herberman, the institute’s director. Although the evidence is still controversial, Dr. Herberman is convinced that there is sufficient data to issue an advisory, which he has done to staff at the university. He is especially concerned about children using cell phones and their exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by the devices. “A child’s developing organs are the most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure.” He suggests going hands-free and texting whenever possible. However, according to Dan Catena, a spokesman for the American Cancer Society, “At this time, there is no conclusive evidence tying cell phone use to brain cancer.” To learn about both sides of the story, go to microwavenews.com or cancer.org. New cholesterol screening for children The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued new recommendations – which includes cholesterol screening for children and teens with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease. The organization also recommends screening kids whose family history is unknown or those who have other factors for heart disease, including obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes. Screening should take place after age 2 but no later than age 10, says the AAP. The best method for testing is a fasting lipid profile, which involves a simple blood test. If a child has values within the normal range, testing should be repeated in three to five years. For children who are more than 8 years old and who have high LDL (bad cholesterol) concentrations, cholesterol-reducing medications should be considered, says the AAP. (Healthier eating and increased activity is also recommended, of course.) Children under age 8 with elevated cholesterol readings should focus on weight reduction and increased activity while receiving nutritional counseling, the AAP advises. The statement also recommends the use of reduced-fat dairy products, such as two percent milk, for children as young as 1 year of age for whom overweight or obesity is a concern. The pediatrician Time to say goodbye? If your child no longer feels comfortable visiting a pediatrician’s office, it might be time to find a new doctor. Many families will stay with their pediatrician through the baby and early childhood years, when frequent well-child check-ups and immunizations mean regular visits, says Dr. Lawrence D. Dardick. Then the years between ages 8 and 11 are usually fairly quiet, medically, he adds. At around age 11, the child needs additional immunizations, “and at that point, some families decide to change physicians,” he says. Your pediatrician has dealt with this natural transition to a new doctor many times and she can often recommend a doctor who would be an excellent fit for your child. You have several options: • Family-practice doctors. These physicians treat the entire family, from babies through adults. They are familiar with the challenges of the teen years and they can perform Pap smears and pelvic exams. • Internal-medicine specialists. These “doctors for adults” generally accept patients ages 18 and older. If your child is heading off to college and is ready for an “adult” doctor, this may be a choice to consider. • Adolescent-medicine specialists. The main difference between these doctors and internal-medicine specialists is that adolescent-medicine specialists are specifically trained in dealing with body image, nutrition, sexuality, mental-health, substance abuse and other teen issues. Surfing helps heal cystic fibrosis More than 30,000 children and young adults in the United States have cystic fibrosis, a disease that causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and causes life-threatening lung infections. If you’re a parent of a child with CF, hope is as close as the nearest beach. Several years ago, doctors in Australia discovered that CF patients who surfed had healthier lungs because the saltwater mist they breathed in re-hydrated the lining of the lungs, helping them eliminate mucus more easily. Since this discovery, researchers have developed a special saline solution that CF patients can inhale every day that offers the same healing properties as a ride on the saltwater waves. "This wonderful and direct connection between surfing and cystic fibrosis is unparalleled," says Jerry Hennessy, co-chair of the Pipeline to a Cure campaign, whose mission is to raise global awareness about this amazing breakthrough, as well as funds for future CF research. For more information, go to pipelinetoacure.com. Hellooooo! Getting ADHD kids to listen Ask nearly any parent of an ADHD child: If you think getting a non-ADHD kid to follow directions is tough, try it with one who can get distracted in the middle of a sentence by a barking dog across the street. Repeating the instructions multiple times and then punishing when they are not followed simply isn’t working. “[Parents] have talked until they are blue in the face and assigned endless timeouts and other consequences without effect,” writes Rebecca Rutledge, a clinical psychologist who treats child and adult ADD patients (and also has it herself), in her book “When Your Child has ADD/ADHD.” So how do you get your child to listen? A little patience and some creative strategies can help. Start by making sure you’re not competing for the child’s attention with video games, music or TV. Then, break the instruction down into simple steps. “Turn off the TV and pick up your shoes,” may be one instruction too many for some kids, so start with “Turn off the TV” and work your way up to more complex instructions. Once you’ve told your child what to do, stop talking. Elaborate explanations of the task can be a distraction. If there are certain routines your child is expected to accomplish each day, write out a chart that can be checked off as the task is completed. For kids who are too young to read, take a photo of the task and affix it to the chart. Infuse some fun by making a game out of the chores. “Let’s see if you can get all your clothes into the hamper while mommy hops on one foot,” is a silly way to take the focus off the drudgery of the chore. When tasks are accomplished correctly, reward! Specific praise and a small reward (like a snack) are effective. “Each small success builds confidence and creates a can-do attitude that motivates children to tackle new challenges,” says Rutledge. If, while performing an assigned task, your child gets distracted, gently redirect. “Your job right now is to make your bed. I’ll hold your teddy bear until you’re done,” is firm, but encouraging. As with any child, focusing on the positive is a stronger motivator than nagging or downgrading their efforts. Don’t you work better when praised by your boss than when he chews you out? Parenting an ADHD child is difficult, but keep trying. You are the best cheerleader your child has. Elisabeth Handley is a regular contributor to OC Family magazine DOC TALK Q: How can I teach my child to avoid the spread of germs? –Ashley, 30, of Irvine A: Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. It’s important to teach children as early as preschool about proper hand-washing techniques. Start by wetting both hands with warm water. Apply soap and rub vigorously, including the palms, back of hands and in between fingers. Keep rubbing vigorously for at least 15 seconds. Here’s a tip: Have your child wash for as long as it takes to sing the “ABC Song.” Turn off the water using a paper towel. Teach children that hand washing is a must after using the bathroom, before and after eating, after blowing their nose or coughing, after playing with pets, after playing outside and, of course, when their hands are dirty. In addition to frequent hand washing, teach kids to never share straws, cups and eating utensils. Also, teach them to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. If tissues aren’t handy, they should cough or sneeze into the crooks of their arms, sleeves or hands – and then immediately wash their hands. What’s more, parents should keep sick children home from school or daycare. Q: My toddler is testing my patience. Do you have any tips for disciplining him? –Erika, 32, of Laguna Nigel A: Setting limits and maintaining some kind of control are difficult tasks with toddlers, because they are so independent yet have so few skills to communicate and solve problems. The key to disciplining your toddler includes love, understanding and quick thinking! Pick your battles and carefully consider what really matters. If your child is doing something that bugs you but is not destructive or harmful, the best thing you can do is turn your back and walk away. Be consistent with your discipline; children thrive on consistency. Another technique is to redirect inappropriate behavior into a more acceptable activity. Avoid recurrent battles and take every opportunity to reinforce good behavior – and model it yourself. Discipline is all about teaching, not punishment. Dr. Daphne Wong is on staff at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). |
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