August appointment schedules can fill quickly. Now is the time to schedule back-to-school physicals in Arkansas, well-child visits, vaccinations and other healthcare appointments your family needs before the school year begins.
Healthy Connections provides primary care for children and adults at clinics throughout Western and Central Arkansas. Dental appointments may also still be available before school begins at our Hot Springs and Mena dental clinics.
Call 888-710-8220 today to schedule an appointment and avoid the last-minute back-to-school rush.
Back-to-School Health Checklist
Depending on your child’s age, grade, activities and medical history, preparing for school may include:
- A well-child visit
- A school or sports physical
- Required or recommended vaccinations
- An updated vaccination record
- Medication forms for school
- Follow-up care for asthma, allergies or other health conditions
- A dental examination or cleaning
Check with your child’s school or athletic program before the appointment. Bringing the correct forms to the visit can save time and help ensure everything is completed before school begins.
Back-to-School Physicals in Arkansas Are About More Than Paperwork
A physical is not simply another form to complete. It gives your child’s healthcare provider an opportunity to review growth, development and overall health.
The visit may include a review of:
- Height, weight and development
- Heart and lung health
- Vision or hearing concerns
- Nutrition, sleep and physical activity
- Current medications
- Allergies and ongoing health conditions
- Emotional and behavioral health
- Previous injuries or concerns about physical activity
The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that annual checkups help families address health concerns, complete school forms and prepare children for sports and other activities. Parents can learn more through the organization’s back-to-school checkup guidance.
Ask whether your child needs a sports physical, a comprehensive well-child visit or both. Requirements can vary by school and activity, and the two visits may not always serve the same purpose.
Check Vaccination Records Now
Do not wait until registration or the first week of school to discover that your child needs an updated vaccination record.
Arkansas requires children attending schools and licensed childcare facilities to receive certain vaccinations unless an official exemption has been approved. Requirements can vary by age and grade. The Arkansas Department of Health provides current information about school vaccination requirements and exemptions.
Families can also review the CDC’s vaccination schedules by age. A healthcare provider can help determine which vaccinations may be appropriate based on a child’s age, health history and available records.
During your child’s appointment, a Healthy Connections provider can review available records, discuss required or recommended vaccinations and help your family determine the next steps.
Because records may need to be located or updated, schedule the appointment as soon as possible.
Primary Care for Children at Every Healthy Connections Clinic
Healthy Connections providers care for children and families at clinics throughout Western and Central Arkansas. Our teams regularly provide:
- Well-child visits
- School and sports physicals
- Vaccinations
- Sick visits
- Medication management
- Care for asthma, allergies and other ongoing health needs
- Referrals for additional care when needed
Families can schedule pediatric primary care at any Healthy Connections clinic.
For care focused specifically on children, My Kids Pediatric Clinic services are available at:
- Healthy Connections Arkadelphia
- Healthy Connections Hot Springs Central
- Healthy Connections Malvern Teeter
Learn more about My Kids Pediatric Clinic and the pediatric services available through Healthy Connections.
Our goal is to make dependable healthcare available close to home, whether your child needs a routine checkup, a school form completed or care for a new health concern.
Do Not Forget Dental Care
A new school year is also a good time to take care of your child’s oral health. Tooth pain and untreated dental problems can make it harder for a student to eat, sleep and concentrate at school.
Healthy Connections provides dental care for children and adults at Hot Springs Chippewa and Mena. Appointments may still be available before school begins, but families should call soon to check availability.
Available dental services may include examinations, cleanings, X-rays, fillings and additional treatment based on the patient’s individual needs.
Call 888-710-8220 to ask about dental appointment availability in Hot Springs or Mena.
Make It a Health Check for the Whole Family
Children are not the only family members who benefit from routine primary care. While preparing for the school year, parents and other adults can also schedule:
- Annual checkups
- Preventive screenings
- Medication reviews
- Care for diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions
- Visits for illnesses or new health concerns
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visits for eligible patients
Healthy Connections provides care through every stage of life. Establishing an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider can help patients address current concerns, manage existing conditions and stay current with recommended preventive care.
Older adults can also learn more about Medicare Annual Wellness Visits and the role these visits can play in preventive care.
What Should You Bring to the Appointment?
To help the visit go smoothly, bring:
- A photo ID
- Your insurance card
- Available vaccination records
- School or athletic forms
- A list of current medications
- Information about allergies and medical conditions
- Questions or concerns you want to discuss
If you are uncertain about what is needed, contact your child’s school or the clinic before the appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child receive primary care at any Healthy Connections clinic?
Yes. Children can receive primary care, including well-child visits, physicals, vaccinations and sick care, at Healthy Connections clinics throughout Western and Central Arkansas. My Kids Pediatric Clinic services are available in Arkadelphia, Hot Springs Central and Malvern Teeter.
Are school physicals and sports physicals the same?
Requirements can differ by school, grade, and activity. A sports physical generally focuses on whether a student can participate safely in physical activity. A comprehensive well-child visit addresses a broader range of health and developmental needs. Ask the clinic what type of appointment your child needs.
What forms should we bring?
Bring any forms supplied by the school, athletic program, camp or childcare facility. You should also bring available vaccination records, an insurance card and a current medication list.
Can Healthy Connections review my child’s vaccination record?
Yes. A Healthy Connections provider can review available records and discuss vaccinations that may be required or recommended based on the child’s age, grade and health history.
Are dental appointments available before school starts?
Appointments may still be available at Healthy Connections dental clinics in Hot Springs and Mena. Availability can change quickly, so families should call 888-710-8220 as soon as possible.
Does Healthy Connections accept my insurance?
Healthy Connections accepts Medicaid, ARKids 1st, Medicare and most insurance. A sliding-fee scale is available for patients who qualify based on household size and income.
Schedule Back-to-School Physicals in Arkansas Today
There is still time to schedule back-to-school physicals in Arkansas, but appointment availability will become tighter as the first day of school approaches. Appointments, same-day visits and walk-ins may be available at select Healthy Connections locations.
Healthy Connections accepts Medicaid, ARKids 1st, Medicare and most insurance. A sliding-fee scale is available for patients who qualify based on household size and income.
Call 888-710-8220 today or visit www.healthy-connections.org to explore services and find a clinic near you.
Healthy Connections has cared for Arkansas communities for more than 25 years with quality medical, dental and behavioral health services built around Community, Compassion and Excellence.
This information is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Vaccination, screening, and treatment needs vary based on age, medical history, and individual circumstances.