How often should children be screened?

Health experts recommend that children receive annual well-child checkups, where their pediatrician can monitor growth, development and overall health. During these visits, doctors typically assess:

• Vision: Screened at routine well-child visits, with more comprehensive eye exams if concerns are identified or recommended by an eye care professional.
• Hearing: Screened during infancy and at recommended ages throughout childhood, or sooner if concerns arise.
• Dental: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental visits every six months, beginning by age 1 or within six months of the first tooth erupting.
• Growth and nutrition: Checked at every annual well-child visit.
• Scoliosis: Georgia schools typically screen students in sixth and eighth grades. Pediatricians may also evaluate for scoliosis during adolescent checkups if appropriate.