Back-to-school deadlines near for Illinois physicals, sports exams and dental checkups – KFVS12

ANNA, Ill. (KFVS) – Rural Health, Inc. officials are urging families to schedule children’s back-to-school and sports physicals, dental exams and vaccination appointments as soon as possible.

Illinois requires school physical exams for students entering early childhood programs, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade, as well as for students transferring in from out of state or out of the country.

The exams must include up-to-date immunizations, a health history and diabetes screening. A lead risk assessment is also required for children ages 1 to 7.

“With summer half over families are beginning to schedule appointments and available dates are filling up fast,” Shawnna Rhine, Rural Health’s director of public relations, said in a statement. She encouraged families to book early to avoid delays in paperwork and vaccine availability ahead of the first day of school.

Sports physicals are required for student-athletes in grades six through 12 to participate in school-sponsored sports. Rural Health said the exam focuses on physical readiness, including evaluation of the heart, lungs and musculoskeletal system, and is separate from the mandatory school health exam.

Dental exams are required for children entering kindergarten and grades two, six and nine.

Illinois also requires certain vaccinations for children and adolescents enrolled in child care, school or college. Families should consult their health care provider to review immunization records and determine which vaccines are needed, Rural Health said.

Rural Health also encouraged vaccinations as a way to prevent serious illness and reduce the spread of infections to people who cannot be vaccinated or are more vulnerable because of underlying health conditions.

For questions about back-to-school requirements or to schedule an appointment, call Rural Health at 618-833-4471 or visit the Rural Health website.

Rural Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization serving Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois, designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide quality services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved.