The doctors and health care pros your kids should see

As a child I remember my mom ferrying my brother and me into a variety of medical waiting rooms at regular intervals. Now, as a mother myself, I wonder, How did she do it? How did she know who we had to see and when we had to see them?

I'd love to have the equivalent of the maintenance chart in the owner's manual of my car -- a list of necessary health examination dates for my children that could be neatly ticked off much as we tick off the tune-ups for our minivan.

To help with your child's “maintenance chart,” here's our run-down of the who, when and why of childhood health-care visits.

Must-sees
Who: Family doctor/pediatrician
When: The Rourke Baby Record, a guide for physicians caring for children in the first five years of life, recommends check-ups starting in the first week of your baby's life with frequent follow-up visits for young babies. Older children should have yearly appointments.
This record is the Canadian Paediatric Society's (CPS) version of the above-mentioned health checklist. It gives a detailed outline of the timing of visits along with information on what to expect at each appointment. Best of all, you can download your own copy from the CPS website.
Why: According to Danielle Grenier, medical affairs officer for the CPS, yearly check-ups are important to monitor growth and development, detect problems as early as possible, administer immunizations and build a trusting relationship with patients and their families.
Cost: Covered by provincial and territorial health insurance plans.

Who: Dentist
When: The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends a first visit within six months of your child's first tooth or by one year of age. Dr. Kelly Wright, a pediatric dentist in Brentwood Bay, B.C., says if there are no problems the next visit should be one year later and then approximately every six months depending on oral hygiene, presence of decay and dental history.
Why: The CDA highlights three main reasons children should visit the dentist:
• To find out whether the cleaning you do at home is working;
• To find problems right away and fix them;
• To show your child that going to the dentist is a positive experience that prevents problems.
For more information on your child's first dental appointment visit the CDA website.
Cost: While costs vary depending on your location, your child's age and what services are needed, Dr. Wright charges approximately $35 for a basic first visit. Employee health benefits, if you have them, may cover some or all of the cost.

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