Resources for Parents
Preventive Care is Important
Even though your child may be healthy, periodic checkups and well child visits are important for staying healthy and for addressing minor health issues before they become serious.
Regular visits to a doctor or other health care provider (such as a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant) help assure that your child receives all necessary screenings and immunizations, and that you have a chance to ask any questions about your child's health, development or behavior. It is also important for children to have routine dental checkups and cleanings.
The Parents Guide to Health Screenings (link below) provides a schedule of preventive health visits recommended by the Department of Health. For suggested topics you may want to discuss with your health care provider, choose the Dr. Dynasaur Informing Letters link.
Do Your Children Have Health Insurance?
Many working families are eligible for low cost or free health care coverage. Dr. Dynasaur covers infants, children and teenagers for:
- routine preventive services and screenings (checkups)
- other doctor visits
- immunizations
- dental care
- counseling
- prescriptions
- hospitalization.
Find out more about eligibility and how to apply at the Vermont Department of Health's insurance information page or by contacting the Vermont Department of Children and Families.
Tools and Resources
- Breastfeeding Information/WIC Feeding Guides
- Dr. Dynasaur Informing Letters (summary of all ages)
- Dr. Dynasaur/Medicaid Informing Letter Sample
- Early Childhood Caries Resources for Parents (formally referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay)
- Environmental Health Threats--Tips to Protect Children
- Environmental Health: Healthy Environments for Children
- Lead - Finding Lead in Your Home (New as of 3/08)
- Mercury in Fish - Vermont
- Newborn Screening Tests: Q & A pamphlet for parents (Last Updated 4/08)
- Parents Guide to Health Screenings
- Pressure Treated Wood - VDH Fact Sheet
- Safe Sleep for Your Baby
Other Helpful Links
- WIC Nutrition Program for Pregnant Women and Young Children
- Locate the Vermont Department of Health District Office nearest you
- Healthy Babies, Kids and Families Program