Fall Edition - October 2020 |
|
Flu Season Resources from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) |
|
It's Time for Your Child's Flu Vaccination!
October is the typical start of the annual flu season. With the dual-threat of COVID-19 and the flu this year, it's more important than ever for parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu. Even better, it's a free benefit for all children with Florida KidCare coverage*. To learn more about flu season, watch the video on the left created by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and check out the tips and resources provided below.
|
Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season
A CDC activity book for kids and available in both English and Spanish.
* You may be subject to a $5 office visit copay. Talk with your child's doctor for more information.
|
|
Flu Shot Myths
Brought to you by
The flu shot can help protect you, your child, and others from getting the influenza virus. Here are some common myths you may have heard about the flu vaccine.
-
Myth: Flu shots can cause the flu.
-
Truth: It can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to work after receiving it. It is possible to get the flu before the vaccine starts to work.
-
Myth: You don’t need to get a flu shot every year.
-
Truth: You should get a flu shot every year. The vaccine changes every year because the flu virus changes each year.
-
Myth: Pregnant women, children and older adults should not get the flu shot.
-
Truth: All people six months and older should receive a flu shot every year.
Talk to your child’s doctor or pharmacist about getting a flu shot this year.
|
|
How to Stop Cyberbullying
Brought to you by
These tough times may be especially hard for kids and teens. As kids increase their internet use to connect with friends and classmates, they may be more likely to fall victim to cyberbullying.
Where cyberbullying can happen to your child: through online gaming, social media, text messages, virtual learning platforms and email.
How cyberbullying can happen to your child: by harassment or spamming, sexual harassment or sexting, hate speech, posting mean or shaming comments, sharing inappropriate photos and threats.
Six tips for parents:
- Kids may keep cyberbullying secret because they are afraid parents will take away or restrict devices or online accounts. You can let them know they will not lose these things because of something someone else does, but they could lose them if they treat other people badly online.
- Responding to the bully directly can make things worse. Instead, you may want to save a copy each time it happens. That way, you have proof to report it when needed.
- Almost all technology lets you block users, including phones and most websites.
- Most social media sites do not allow cyberbullying. You can report it to them to enforce.
- Most schools forbid cyberbullying. If the bully goes to your child's school, you can report it to the principal's office.
- Certain types of cyberbullying are considered crimes and should be reported to the police, including violent threats, sexual messages to children, sexual photos of children, taking photos or videos of people in places where they expect privacy (such as a public restroom or fitting room), stalking and hate crimes.
If you are worried about your child being bullied online, having more family activities may help your child open up and feel less alone.
|
|
Care For Your Biggest Organ
Brought to you by
What is the human body’s largest organ? If you guessed the skin, you are right! Like your heart and lungs, you want to keep your skin healthy too. Anyone who has gone through puberty, probably remembers the feeling they had when they saw their first pimple.
Acne in the teenage years can be a source of frustration and about 80% of teens have some sort of acne.
November is Healthy Skin Month, so here are some tips to help teens care for their skin.
- The easiest step is to wash their face, using warm water, at least once or twice a day. A mild face soap, without dyes or fragrances, is generally recommended.
- Don’t scrub with a washcloth. It can irritate the skin.
- Other tips include keeping hair clean; limiting the use of hair products containing oil; washing pillowcases frequently; and for girls, wearing makeup that is oil- free.
- Above all else, do not try to pop those pimples!
What if despite best efforts, your child develops acne? Many recommended over-the-counter treatments are available. Always start slow and test what works. It is also important to be patient and give it time.
With skincare products, less is more, so don’t overdo it, as this can make acne worse. However, not all ethnicities and skin types are the same, and some products are better than others for different faces, so when in doubt, your child’s pediatrician is always your best resource.
|
Has Your Family's Income Changed?
We know that daily lives and routines have changed over these last several months. If your family's income situation has changed with the loss of a job or reduced work hours, give us a call at 1-888-540-KIDS (5437) Monday - Friday between 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. We may be able to reduce your monthly Florida KidCare premium payment.
|
|
A (Flu) Season to Remember
Brought to you by
This flu season will be one to remember, as the possibility of having two very contagious viruses spreading in the community at the same time has become a reality. This is certainly a cause for concern for everyone, especially parents with young children.
Things to keep in mind:
- It is important to immunize yourself and your family by getting the flu shot. While the flu shot can prevent the flu, it cannot prevent COVID-19.
- The practice of social distancing and use of facial coverings that have been successful in limiting the spread of COVID-19 will also help in preventing the seasonal flu, as both diseases can be transmitted by droplets. Please continue these safe practices.
- The symptoms of both illnesses are similar: cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, muscle pain and tiredness. In addition, people who have COVID-19 may have a loss of the sense of taste or smell. As a result of these similarities, testing is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
- Infants and children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for both flu and COVID-19. Please take extra care to protect them.
Things you can do to keep your family safe:
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects in your home
- Using facial coverings (Do not place masks on children under two years of age)
- Frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers
- Social distancing
Stay informed, be well and stay safe!
Source: O Ikpeazu MD, Aetna Better Health of Florida
|
|
Diabetes and Oral Health
Brought to you by
November is National Diabetes Month. It’s a time to recognize the impact that this disease has on millions of Americans. When your chilldren have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on their entire body. Diabetics are also at a greater risk for problems with their teeth and gums.
Here are a few of the oral health problems caused by diabetes:
-
Tooth decay: Diabetes makes blood sugar levels higher. This causes more sugars and starches to be present in the mouth. They can wear away surfaces of the teeth and lead to cavities.
-
Gum Disease: The gum disease gingivitis is common among diabetics. The first signs are bleeding gums when brushing or flossing.
-
Dry mouth: Diabetics often have less saliva. This is called dry mouth. Less saliva to wash away leftover food and higher sugar levels in the mouth can cause tooth decay.
-
Infections: Diabetes also weakens the immune system. This can lead to frequent yeast infections in the mouth. Another name for this is oral thrush.
If your child has diabetes. good dental care will help manage these oral health problems.
- Brush at least two times a day and floss once a day.
- Plan to visit the dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup.
- Be sure to let the dentist know if you think there is a problem with your child's teeth, gum or mouth.
Do you want to learn more about diabetes and oral health? Visit the websites of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the American Diabetes Association.
Source: Registered Dental Hygienists at MCNA
|
|
Applications Now Available!
Brought to you by
Step Up For Students administers five scholarship programs for Florida’s schoolchildren:
-
The Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment Scholarship for children K-12 from lower-income families.
-
The Gardiner Scholarship for children ages 3-22 who have certain special needs.
-
The Hope Scholarship for children K-12 who are victims of bullying.
-
The Reading Scholarship Accounts for public school students in grades three through five who struggle with reading.
Apply Now. Program funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please share this information with anyone you know who might benefit from one of Step Up’s scholarships.
|
|
|
|
Early Childhood Caries
Brought to you by
Cavities in young children are called Early Childhood Caries (ECC). They can cause your child pain, hospitalization, poor appetite and other problems. They should be treated in the early stages to prevent damage to the permanent teeth.
Risk Factors:
- High exposure to sugar
- Nighttime bottles with milk, juice, or soda
- Frequent use of sippy cups with sweet drinks
- Abnormal tooth development
- Previous caries in your child or family
- Poor access to dental care
- Poor oral health habits
Prevention:
- Reduce frequent or prolonged exposure to sugar
- Discontinue the bottle at 15 to 18 months of age
- Do not use sippy cups for long periods
- Instead of juice or soda, encourage water
- Use fluoridated toothpastes in appropriate amounts
- Have your child’s dentist apply fluoride to their teeth and conduct early caries screenings
- As a caregiver, maintain good oral health and receive dental care
|
|
Sealants Help Prevent Cavities
Brought to you by
Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities. It’s not always easy to clean every tooth surface - back teeth, called molars, have deep grooves that can trap food. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria that over time can cause a cavity.
There’s a way to help keep molars clean. It’s called a sealant. A sealant is a thin coating that covers the chewing surface of the back teeth. Sealants are quick and easy to apply, and no drilling is needed.
The earlier your child gets sealants, the better. First molars appear around age six. The second molars come in around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start.
Sealants can also be used over areas of early decay to prevent further damage to the tooth. Since some sealants are clear, your child’s dentist can keep an eye on the tooth to make sure the sealant is doing its job.
Sealants can reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80%. They help keep teeth healthy, so your child’s less likely to need fillings or have other work done down the road. The next time your child sees the dentist, be sure to ask about sealants!
|
|
Coming Soon....
Florida KidCare Local Application Assistance Tool
Do you have a friend or family member that might be interested in Florida KidCare health and dental insurance coverage for their child? If so, our Local Application Assistance Tool can connect them with a trusted Florida KidCare outreach partner to help answer their questions and guide them through the application process.
For current Florida KidCare families, this tool might also be a helpful resource during the renewal process or if there are questions about such things as adding a child, income changes and other application-related questions.
To use the tool, a parent only has to enter their first and last name, county in which they live and a valid email address. A confirmation email is then sent to the parent with the name of the organization who will be contacting them within three business days. It will be a free service and available statewide.
|
|
|
|
Contact Florida KidCare
1-888-540-KIDS (5437)
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
