This Month's Newsletter
Happy February! According to the groundhog's shadow, we may see an early spring. It is for certain, next month spring will come on March 20th, so enjoy these last few weeks of winter.
In this month's newsletter... we continue to offer the Covid-19 vaccine for ages 5-11. It's time to vote again! NJ Family voting is open for Favorite Kids' Docs. We share the Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for return to sports and activities. We discuss the importance of starting good oral hygiene early. Further, we talk about kindness and all of the benefits. Finally, we continue to include information on our office hours and procedures, services we offer and complimentary new mom and baby classes.
The Pediatric Center is here for all of your urgent medical needs, even when the office is closed. There is always someone available from our practice. All you have to do is call: 908-508-0400.
Our goal is to further develop our relationship with our patients and create an open forum. We welcome your comments and ideas. If you would like to see something included in this newsletter, please email us at pedcenter.com@gmail.com with ideas only, please no medical requests.
As always, we welcome you to share your experience with our practitioners with an online review.
Sincerely,
The Pediatric Center Staff
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TPC Continues to Book Appointments |
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We continue to book 5-11 year old patients for the Covid vaccine. When you call to schedule a vaccine, we will put you on the list and call you back with your specific time and day.
Booster shots are coming soon. We will be announcing details in the near future. Stay tuned.
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It's that time again! NJ Family has opened up nominations for Favorite Kids' Docs for 2022.
Every vote counts! Cast your today by clicking the button below. We are so grateful for the support of our patients.
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Return to Sports Guidance |
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The American Academy of Pediatrics just released a Covid-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports and Physical Activity on February 9th.
This guidance applies to "children and adolescents who are participating in and/or returning to physical activity, inclusive of but not limited to, organized sports and physical education class within school." Many children have been affected by the pandemic in relation to their sport activity. It has shut down many programs and restricted children from participating in physical activity. It has led to a sedentary lifestyle which has increased obesity prevalence.
The guidance includes family considerations, transmission mitigation and resumption of activity for a child with Covid-19. It clarifies CDC guidance for quarantine and isolation and when to return to play if diagnosed. Some of the key points include:
Family considerations include the benefits of physical and psychological health for children and adolescents. It improves their cardiovascular health, strength, body composition and overall fitness. The increased socialization has mental benefits of inclusion, structure and comradery.
The prolonged absence of physical activity puts athletes at a higher risk of injury when returning to organized or competitive sports. The AAP strongly recommends the opportunity for children to participate resume, with a gradual return to activity if they have been consistently inactive for over 1 month.
Spectators should follow the current regulations and children should continue to get their return to sports physical examinations. The PPE and Physical examination forms have been revised to incorporate questions relating to Covid-19.
Balancing the risk vs return to sports is driven by the sport setting, local disease activity and individual circumstances, including health risks.
Recommendation for facemasks include the proper use of a face mask for all indoor sports training, competition and on the sidelines is strongly recommended for all athletes (regardless of vaccination status) in counties with substantial or high transmission per CDC criteria. For athletes who are not fully vaccinated, proper use of a face mask for all indoor sports training, competition and on sidelines is recommended regardless of local transmission rates. Exceptions are listed in the guidelines.
Traveling for sports competitions include the evaluation of the risks for the location of travel and the current health status of the athlete.
Close contact with a person that has Covid-19 should be evaluated based on the CDC guidelines of quarantine.
Testing positive - if a child/adolescent tests positive for Covid-19, their pediatrician, team officials and the health department should be notified. Return to play is determined on severity and recommendations on quarantining.
Returning to play after testing positive - The AAP recommends not returning to sports until children or adolescents have completed isolation, the minimum amount of symptom-free time has passed, they can perform normal activities of daily living, they display no concerning signs/symptoms and a physician evaluation has been completed if indicated.
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Good Oral Hygiene Starts Young |
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Good oral hygiene should start as early as the first years of a child’s life. Developing healthy dental habits young will help them continue as they grow older. They can avoid many of the problems that result from poor oral health, including gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. It is also believed that mouth disease can detriment the health of other parts of your body.
Cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Untreated cavities can cause pain, infections, and can lead to problems eating, speaking, and learning. More than 1 in 5 children aged 2 to 5 years has at least one cavity in their baby teeth. Children from low-income families are more than twice as likely to have untreated cavities, compared with children from higher-income households.
Cavities are preventable by following some basic steps below:
- Expecting moms should practice good oral hygiene when they are pregnant – as it can affect the health of your baby’s teeth
- For infants, wipe their gums after each meal with a warm cloth
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Avoid putting babies to bed with a bottle
- When baby teeth start to service, brush their teeth twice daily with a baby toothpaste
- Limit drinks and food with added sugars for children
- Encourage your child to eat more fruits and vegetables and have fewer fruit drinks, cookies, and candies
- Schedule your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or after their first tooth appears.
Diet is Important
A good healthy diet should start when your child is young. The right foods and nourishment will help develop strong, healthy teeth. When we eat sugary foods, bacteria in the mouth produce acid. This acid eats away minerals from the tooth’s surface, making the tooth weaker and increasing the chance of developing cavities. Include good sources of calcium (yogurt, broccoli, and milk) to your child’s diet to help build strong teeth. Teaching your child about healthy eating habits is one of the best practices for a lifetime of good health.
Tips to healthful eating:
- Eat fruits and vegetables for snacks rather than candies and cookies
- Serve water at mealtime rather than juice or soda
- Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in water and is controlled to achieve the best prevention of tooth decay and help rebuild the surface of teeth
Dental Sealants
Many pediatric dentists will recommend dental sealants on back teeth where 9 in 10 cavities occur. It’s a a quick, easy, and painless way to prevent most cavities. Children aged 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost 3 times more first-molar cavities than children with sealants.
In general, practicing good oral hygiene early in life ensures good healthy habits into adulthood.
Source: AAP.org
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Health Benefits to Being Kind |
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Kindness matters and there are some great health benefits that go along with being kind.
Some of these include:
Creating a sense of belonging - spreading kindness helps build, maintain and strengthen social connections. Helping others creates a sense of belonging by creating new friends and connecting with communities. It also gives a sense of purpose - especially if you are helping someone in need who may feel isolated and lonely.
Helping others feel good - there is nothing better than watching someone's face light up after you have done something kind for them. Studies have shown acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of well-being and self-esteem. Some evidence suggests helping others promotes changes in the brain that are linked to happiness.
It helps keeps things in perspective - being aware of our own acts of kindness and the things we are grateful for can increase feelings of happiness, optimism and satisfaction. It can also help you have a more positive outlook on your own circumstances.
One act of kindness can have a pay-it-forward effect - we can make the world a better, happier place...one act of kindness at a time. It can encourage others to repeat the good deeds and contribute to a more positive community.
The more you do for others, the more you do for yourself - after one act of kindness, the endorphin benefits can last for a long time for both the giver and the recipient.
Source: mentalhealth.org
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Please note our new office hours.
If you have any questions, please contact the office.
Thank you.
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Covid-19 Office Procedures |
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Our strict CDC guidelines continue. Our office is sanitized and treated before each appointment. We continue the following protocols:
- Phone screening prior to a visit
- No patients in the waiting rooms
- Scheduled appointments only
- Patient clearance prior to entering the office
- Car visits, when needed
- Virtual telemedicine, if requested
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Please continue to limit your visit to one parent only for all patients over 2 years of age, wear a face mask while in the office and maintain social distancing. Please do not make an appointment or come to the office if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. |
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In-House Covid-19 Testing & Guidelines
The Pediatric Center continues to offer Covid-19 testing for all patients and their families.
Do you need a test to travel, return to school or any other reason?
The Pediatric Center offers testing with an instant
20- minute Rapid test and PCR test results within 48 hours.
Please visit our Covid-19 Testing page to learn more about the types of tests, what to do if you are exposed to Covid-19 and isolation and quarantine guidelines.
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On-Site Lactation Support Center
The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you to support breastfeeding your child. We offer complimentary lactation consultations and are now offering virtual visits.
To schedule your lactation consultation, attend our free prenatal class or make an appointment please call us at 908-508-0400.
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Patient Portal
The Pediatric Center's patient portal provides personal access to your family's medical records.
You can access information such as immunization records, visit summaries, request appointments, view dates for upcoming appointments and pay your bill.
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Do You Need A Pediatric Specialist?
The Pediatric Center works with a wide network of doctors we can refer to a pediatric specialist if you need one.
As part of our practice, we specialize in developmental & behavioral health and focus on positive parenting practices. We can offer guidance on depression, eating disorders, developmental concerns and many other issues. You are not alone.
Please call to make an appointment to meet with one of our physicians: 908-508-0400.
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Online Bill Pay
Online Bill Payment
Payments Over The Phone
If you prefer, you can still make a payment over the phone by calling The Pediatric Center's billing department,
Office: 908-508-0400 / Billing Department: 786-249-1234
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ImPACT Concussion Testing
The Pediatric Center offers on-site ImPact concussion testing. ImPACT, an FDA cleared tool for baseline and post-injury testing, measures visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed to help determine if a patient (ages 12-59) can safely return to activity.
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Vaccine Education Center
Reminder - we offer all students going to college the Meningococcal B vaccine. This vaccine is covered by insurance. It is recommended it be administered to all students starting college as part of their pre-college physical. We also offer the Gardasil vaccine.
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Find More Topics On Our Blog |
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The Pediatric Center's blog is an invaluable resource for pediatric and parenting topics. The blog is right on our website. It includes topics such as "12 Super Foods for Lactation Aid", "Best Winter Skincare Tips" and so much more.
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We Love Your Feedback!
Your feedback is very important to us! We would love to hear about your positive experience with our doctors and nurse practitioners. You can write and post a review right on our website or on our Facebook page. Thank you for your kind words!
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Free Virtual Prenatal Class
Join our free, virtual prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
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For Parents
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
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Lactation Support
The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you for breastfeeding guidance.
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Follow Us On Facebook!
Keep up to date with pertinent news information and important announcements on Facebook including time sensitive topics and office closings, etc.
Simply like us
by clicking on the button to the right!
Announcements will also be posted on the home page of our website under "What's New".
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The Pediatric Center
556 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
908-508-0400
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