Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Fall 2004)

If you’re a parent, back to school means back to busy-ness. Take a moment out of your hectic soccer game/music lessons/carpool schedule to review some basic care for kids age 0 to 18.

Q:  When should children be expected to brush their teeth without supervision?
A:  Between ages 2 and 6, kids need their parents' help brushing. Children should first brush their teeth, and then parents should step in to help get those hard to reach places. But don’t wait until your child is 2 to start brushing — experts suggest brushing a child’s teeth and gums with an infant brush as soon as teeth start to appear, or even sooner so the child gets used to the process. Children should not use toothpaste with fluoride in it until they are old enough to spit it out.

Q:  Are booster seats necessary for kids who are too big for regular car seats?
A:  Colorado requires the use of booster seats or seatbelt positioning devices for children ages 4-6 who are less than 55 inches tall.

The seatbelts in cars are designed for adults, so safety advocates recommend children use booster seats until age 8 (or when they reach 4’9” in height or weigh 80 lbs.). 

Q:  Why is the varicella vaccine recommended to prevent chickenpox?
A:  Although many adults remember their childhood bout with chickenpox as nothing more serious than itchy scabs, it can be serious.

 Some children become seriously ill with pneumonia, infection or even brain inflammation from the disease. The vaccine helps guard against the disease and its potentially serious problems.