Well Care / Annual Check-Ups
We are frequently asked how often check-ups are needed after age three. We strongly recommend an annual exam from age 3 years on. This gives the physician or nurse practitioner a chance to discuss non-illness problems such as learning difficulties, behavioral problems, teen problems, peer relationships, etc., as well as to perform a complete assessment of physical development and to update immunizations and lab work. This means that patients who are seen for annual check-ups should not need a tetanus booster if bitten or wounded. The annual visit allows the child to build a trusting relationship with his or her caregiver, making it easier for the child or adolescent to seek help for major problems in later adolescence.
With rare exception, schools, camps, and athletic teams accept a physical examination performed during the preceding twelve months, eliminating the need for last-minute exams. As a practical matter, scheduling a child’s annual exam in her or his birth month (or June or September if born in the summer) helps avoid the scheduling “crunch” we get every summer, as families compete for a limited number of appointments for camp or sports exams at the last minute .
Wildwood Pediatrics cares for our adolescent patients all the way through college (until their 23rd birthday).
