Area Health Clinics Encouraging Parents to Schedule Children & Teen Well Visits

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – With the new school year fast approaching, area health clinics are encouraging parents to schedule well visits with children and teens.

Dr. Jonathan KenKnight with Essentia Health says the focus during a well visit is to ensure the patient is healthy — both physically and mentally — and, for athletes, that it’s safe for them to compete and engage in rigorous activity. “Well visits are so important because we cover so many different things – I think any adult would agree that being a teenager is difficult, it takes a lot of support, this is just another way that you can have another caring adult be a part of their lives.”

The visits are recommended annually and allow primary care providers to perform a physical exam, give necessary shots and vaccines, talk about illness prevention including nutrition and physical fitness, and discuss mental health concerns.