The emotions associated with child separation anxiety are quite intense both for parents and the child experiencing separation anxiety. However, learning to cope with this is not only challenging but also extremely important. Here are a few important things to remember about child separation anxiety and ways to cope with it.

When Does Separation Anxiety In Children Surface?

Child separation anxiety begins when the child is about nine months of age and reaches a high mark between 12-24 months of the child. This is the vulnerable stage when children become acutely aware of the presence and absence of people. The latter triggers off separation anxiety in children. While some children experience this separation anxiety at this or a slightly later stage, others may not feel it at all, depending on their temperament.

How To Cope Up With Parent Child Separation?

The following should make separation anxiety easier to deal with.

• Talk to your child about the necessity of spending time away from them so that child separation anxiety does not develop.
• Try to spend some time with your child before leaving so that they may feel secure about your return soon.
• Any favorite stuffed toy that your child feels comfortable holding can help a child cope with children separation anxiety and should be with them at this time.
• Leaving your child with the same babysitter or caregiver can also reduce children separation anxiety as they get familiar with that person and learn to trust them.
• Do not ever try to leave without saying goodbye to your child. Separation anxiety cannot be avoided by choosing to escape from it.

A Parental Approach To Childhood Separation Anxiety

While parent child separation anxiety indicates the strong bond between parent and child, the disturbed feelings associated with childhood separation anxiety should not be allowed to develop as they are detrimental to the healthy development of your child. Also, do not feel overtly guilty in going away from your child. Instead, try to leave your child while he/she is engaged in a fun activity and can return to it comparatively easily after goodbyes.

How Long Does Childhood Separation Anxiety Usually Last?

Separation anxiety in children can last right up to a child’s elementary school years. In severe cases it might develop into a wider anxiety disorder. A lot depends on how the child copes with parent child separation and what steps are taken by the parent to curb separation anxiety in children. In older children childhood separation anxiety arising suddenly is usually the effect of some other problem like ragging or abuse.

Children separation anxiety is becoming a greater problem day by day as parents are getting increasingly busier and often have to spend great amounts of time away from their child. Therefore, sometimes it is also important to consider if changes can be made to the way of life to keep down long periods of separation and cure parent child separation anxiety before it reaches an acute stage.

References:

1. Child Care Challenges – Separation Anxiety – Care.com
2. Separation Anxiety – Kids Health

• Talk to your teen first: Teenagers tend not to share their lives with their parents as much as when they were children and depressed teens will be even more reluctant. Setting aside a time to talk to your teen in an affectionate, non-confrontational manner is important. Refrain from suggesting depression; instead mention the behavioral changes you have noticed and explain why it is worrying for you. Listen to their answers without judgment or without trying to offer advice. This may be easier said than done, since teenagers, especially depressed teens, do not like to be questioned or to share their lives with parents. However, it is important you let them know you are there for them and will try to support them as much as possible.

• Avoid giving advice or counseling: When a teen talks about teenage depression symptoms, acknowledge their feelings. Trying to talk them out of it or make them look on the brighter side is not likely to work, and will make them feel you are treating them like children. Acknowledging their confusion or pain, encouraging them to talk and refraining from offering advice is most helpful, and will ensure that the depressed teen feels safe and comfortable.

• Getting medical help: When depressed teens deny symptoms or cannot explain his or her strange behavior, it is often safer to talk to a medical expert. Without qualified diagnosis, depression in adolescents can become serious and could cause harm to the teenager or to others around. Visiting a family doctor and talking about the teenage depression symptoms, the health of the teenager, and any family history of depression can help. When the doctor conducts the examination, he or she will test for signs of depression.

• Further medical help: A family doctor can either recommend a psychologist or psychiatrist if there are no health issues that are causing the teenage depression symptoms. Talking to a mental health expert who specializes in treating children and teenagers is likely to help. Make sure you listen to your child’s opinion about the expert. If the child is not comfortable talking to the expert, the visits are not likely to help.

• Medication: Medication of depressed teens should be only undertaken on professional advice after other methods have been tried. Discuss the side effects of medication on a teenage body and opt for the one that best suits your child’s needs. Medication may give immediate relief from teenage depression symptoms but the damage may be long-lasting.

Teens with Depression

Depression in adolescents is caused by a combination of factors. It could be a physical cause, such as the hormone spurt that the teen is experiencing, as well as the stressful process of physical and emotional maturation. It could also be a situational cause, triggered by events or feelings from the environment or life that the teen is experiencing. Family conflict, struggles with parents to assert oneself, break-ups or sexual misadventures, failure at school or feelings of being isolated, or death of a friend or loves one can all cause teenage depression symptoms. Depression in adolescents is treatable, but in some cases can continue into adult years.

Risk Factors for Depression in Adolescents

• Children from broken homes due to death or divorce
• Care giving that is irregular or negative
• Victims of physical or sexual child abuse
• Children with a family history of depression
• Inability to interact socially
• Adolescents with low self-esteem or self-loathing
• Adolescents with negative body image
• Teens who indulge in substance abuse

Recognizing Teenage Depression Symptoms

While girls are more susceptible to teenage depression symptoms than boys, the concern is that depression in adolescents is hard to diagnose. Most parents or caregivers assume that ‘teenagers are just being teenagers’ when they display signs such as irritability, anger, withdrawal from family, sleeping late in the mornings and staying up late at night. However, as an alert parent or caregiver, distinguishing between teens with depression and normal teenagers on a bad day can make all the difference.

• Changes in behavior: Changes in sleeping patterns, daytime sleepiness, and loss or increase of appetite can be teenage depression symptoms. Other behavior such as missing school, shoplifting, indulging in criminal activity, or deliberately defying instructions can indicate depression.
• Mood swings: Teens with depression will seem irritable, will often cry for no apparent reason, will be more forgetful than normal, and may even have problems concentrating or making decisions.
• Social signs: Depression in adolescents often causes them to withdraw from family members and sometimes friends, choosing to spend time with a different set of peers or only one friend. They become less interested in activities, especially family activities, and could spend a lot of time alone.
• Self-image: Depression is caused by or could result in a low sense of self-esteem, as well as feelings of worthlessness. Teens with depression often say things like “What’s the point of it all?” or “It makes no difference”.
• Thoughts of death: Depression in adolescents can sometimes lead to thoughts of suicide or homicide. It could also lead teenagers to worry about death of their family or loved ones. This is one of the most serious teenage depression symptoms and should not be ignored.

Normal Behavior & Teenage Depression: Knowing the Difference

Deciding if teenage depression symptoms are normal teenage behavior or medical symptoms is difficult because it is also the natural behavioral tendencies of adolescents around the world. However, it pays to ask the following questions to decide if your child or ward suffers from depression in adolescents.

• Does this behavior differ greatly from the norm?
• How long has this been going on?
• How severe are the symptoms?
• Are there any signs of substance abuse?
• Are there signs of eating disorders?
• Are there signs of self-injury (cutting, burning, hair pulling)?

Adolescents with long-lasting behavior that is a dramatic change from the usual behavior are likely to be depressed. Complaints of headaches and stomach aches are also a common sign, especially if there is no medical or physical reason for the ailment.

References:

1. Depression in Children & Adolescents – National Institute of Mental Health
2. Adolescent Depression – University of Maryland Medical Center

• Weight problems: Children who were considered plump can grow into overweight or obese teenagers as they begin to be less active, snack on unhealthy food, and spend more time in sedentary activities alone or with friends. Overweight teens are one of the most common teenage health issues. Discussing diet options with them may be difficult, especially if their weight is a sensitive issue. Instead, keep the fridge stocked with healthy and low-fat food options, as well as plenty of fruit, vegetables and juice

• Eating Disorders: With teenage years come increased peer pressure and heightened sensitivity to the opposite sex and to the media’s norm of an attractive man or woman. These years are the most common age for eating disorders to set in: anorexia, bulimia and a range of other complications can affect the health of a teenager. If you suspect an eating disorder, it is best to get medical advice or counseling from adolescent health care authorities.

• Body Image: As teenagers feel their bodies mature into adults, they begin to take more control over their privacy and self-expression. Wanting to get body parts pierced or tattoos done is a way to create an identity of their own. Most teenagers are very body conscious and many do not like their bodies or appearances. Counseling can help, as will discussing the health of adolescents, more active lifestyles and possibly a change of wardrobe.

• Skin Problems: Teen skin faces the brunt of all the hormonal changes that the body goes through. With excess oil production and perspiration, as well as sudden increase in use of make-up and beauty products, skin can get inflamed and develop pimples or acne. This teenage health issue causes a great deal of self-conscious suffering for adolescents. Encourage teens to wash their faces often and maintain hygiene, or get medical help if prescriptions are needed. Another problem during this time is the appearance of stretch marks as bodies grow rapidly, or skin rashes caused by tanning, shaving or hair removal.

• Sexual Health: As parents, facing the idea of adolescents engaging in consensual sexual activity is a daunting, if not frightening one. However, teenagers today are more sexually aware and more sexually active than previous generations. Discussing puberty and maturation of the body is usually not as difficult as discussing sexual health and related issues. If you are not comfortable talking to your child about their sexuality, let them talk to a doctor, counselor or adolescent health care expert. Teens need to know about STDs, teenage pregnancy, birth control and sexual cleanliness.

• Depression and Stress: Adolescent health care often deals with teenagers who are susceptible to stress and depression as they grow and mature. Treating teen depression as something ‘they’ll grow out of’ when it is serious clinical depression can cause effects that last well into adulthood. Teen suicides are often ascribed to depression or a feeling of isolation. If you suspect your child is depressed, talking to a counselor or medical expert is recommended.

• Addictions: The health of adolescents as well as their lives can be seriously affected by an addiction. Teenagers may experiment with tobacco, drugs and alcohol either because of peer pressure or out of curiosity. A teenager who has discussed these habits and their ill effects with parents, and who has been made aware of the dangers is less likely to let an experiment develop into a habit. If you feel your child has developed an addiction or a habit, enrolling them in counseling is a good option.

References:

1. Teens Health – Kids Health
2. Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy – Family Doctor

How Do SIDS Deaths Occur?

Infant cot death can cause the death of even a healthy baby which makes SIDS deaths almost impossible to predict. When a death occurs, it is only when illness, birth defects, parental negligence, and genetic disorder have been ruled out as a cause that it will be ascribed to SIDS. Infants who have succumbed to SIDS deaths show no signs of suffering, but a true SIDS-related death could be due to a combination of factors.

Risk of SIDS

Studies show the following characteristics or features lead to higher risk of SIDS:

• Babies between 2-4 months old are the most common victims, but the first six months have a high risk of SIDS
• SIDS deaths are most frequent during colder months
• African-American babies twice as likely to die of SIDS
• Babies of Native American origin are three times as likely to die of SIDS
• Male infants are more vulnerable to risk of SIDS than female infants
• Addiction to or use of drugs, alcohol or nicotine during pregnancy
• Inadequate prenatal care can increase the risk of SIDS
• Teenage pregnancies and mothers under the age of 20
• Premature or low weight babies are more susceptible to infant cot death
• Exposure to cigarette smoke after birth can lead to SIDS death
• Babies who are covered or overdressed could overheat while sleeping, leading to SIDS death
• Babies who are put to sleep on their stomach or side could succumb to infant cot death as it hampers breathing

Parenting Tips for Preventing SIDS

• Pregnancy care: During pregnancy, fetuses that are exposed to nicotine, alcohol, or drugs are more likely to succumb to SIDS deaths. Expectant mothers should ensure regular prenatal check-ups are performed at the right time.
• New born infants: Breast feeding has lately shown to be effective in preventing SIDS. Ensure that babies are kept in smoke-free atmospheres.

Sleeping Habits to Reduce the Risk of SIDS:

• Ensuring safe sleeping habits for babies is the most effective way to reduce risk of SIDS.
• Use firm mattresses for babies to sleep on. Do not use water beds, beanbags, sofas or fleece and lambskin.
• Avoid placing stuffed toys and pillows in the cribs or bassinets of infants.
• The most important precaution against SIDS deaths is to place babies on their backs to sleep. This keeps airways and breathing patterns open and unobstructed. If babies have reflux problems or parents are worried they may choke on milk, vomit or other substances, it is best to talk to the family doctor.
• Babies should be placed in a separate crib or bassinet to sleep, but if possible kept in the parents’ room so that you are always close at hand. This significantly reduces the risk of SIDS deaths.
• Once babies can roll over both onto their sides and stomachs, it is acceptable to allow them to choose their own sleeping position. This is usually possible for babies during their 5-7^th months.
• Keep the room in which the baby is sleeping at a pleasant temperature. A temperature that is comfortable for an adult in a short sleeved shirt is the right temperature for babies. This is usually around 16-20 degrees Celsius.
• Babies do not need to be covered by blankets during the first 6 months, but if used, a blanket should be tucked under the mattress at the bottom of the bed so that it cannot move above the baby’s shoulders.
• Studies show that pacifiers can help reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who are comfortable using a pacifier can be laid to sleep with one in their mouths. There is no need to replace it if it falls out during sleep.

While all the precautions are important, also ensure that any caretakers or family members who may interact with the baby are aware of these guidelines to prevent SIDS. Keeping regular appointments for well baby check-ups are important as well.

References:

1. Preventing Cot Death – Baby and Pregnancy
2. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Kids Health
3. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDC) – Mayo Clinic

To make sure that you are able to guide them through the turbulent phase of puberty problems, you have to establish an open, sensitive communication style with them. Handling children who are going through puberty is a delicate task. Most teens pretend they know everything, and cover up insecurity or embarrassment with a cocky or defensive exterior. Parents will have to find ways to communicate puberty information without hurting feelings or without the child feeling like he or she has no privacy.

Puberty Problems and Emotions

While all adults know the changes they went through during puberty, it is a good idea to go through a few books or do some research online. This not only helps to refresh adult memories about teenage worries or concerns, it also provides ways to discuss puberty information. For single parents who need to have the puberty talk with their child of the opposite sex, this is vital to understanding their puberty problems.

Most children experiencing puberty problems are embarrassed about the physical changes. Girls with developing breasts or boys with voices that are breaking are likely to be teased by their peer groups, especially if they are amongst the earliest to develop. The growth of pubic hair or beards can cause shame or shyness too. Teens with acne, excessive perspiration or oily skin or hair could be embarrassed by the changes.

Communicating Puberty Information

• Having the puberty talk with your child, regardless of age, should be during a time when the child is free from distraction and stress. For many children, discussing awkward issues while performing a repetitive task such as peeling potatoes or washing dishes makes it easier as they don’t have to look directly at the parent or caregiver.
• Start off with a brief discussion of the puberty information, just touching upon all points. Children will want to think about facts they learn and come back later to discuss them further.
• Encourage children to talk about themselves, instead of immediately telling them what they should expect. No child experiences puberty problems exactly the same way, even within the same family, and they will have questions or concerns of their own.
• In addition to talking to children, provide reading material for them to go through. Keeping a few books with puberty information in the child’s bedroom can take care of the questions that your child is curious about but is afraid to ask.

It is also important that parents provide some puberty information about the changes happening to the opposite sex. Teenagers are naturally curious about the changes within themselves and others, as well as sexually curious. Explaining puberty information to your child can help your child become more aware, more sensitive, and more cautious.

Reference:

1. Puberty – Keep Kids Healthy

Complications of Thumb Sucking

A prolonged habit of thumb sucking can be the cause of orthodontic problems such as improper alignment of the teeth, an overbite, or malformation of the palate (roof of the mouth). Also a child’s speech can change with sucking thumbs; either creating a lisp or making the child thrust his or her tongue out during speech. Children who have the habit of thumb sucking even in their later childhood are more likely to face these complications up to adolescence.

How to Stop Thumb Sucking

It is important that children are not mocked or ridiculed to discourage their habit of thumb sucking. There are some tactics that parents or child care professionals can use to help children stop sucking thumbs.

• Most children associate the habit of thumb sucking with comfort, or use it to soothe themselves. If your child has a soft toy or special blanket that encourages sucking thumbs, you could consider keeping it out of sight for some time.
• Discuss the habit of thumb sucking with your child. Talking about its effects can sometimes encourage the child to stop on his or her own. For older children who suck their thumbs, it may lead to them being laughed at or teased in school. When they share this with you, it offers an opening to talk about how to stop thumb sucking.
• Putting a bitter, child-safe nail polish or fluid on a child’s nails or fingers can remind them even if they are not aware of sucking thumbs.
• Using a colorful bandage or plaster on the thumb can be a cheery way to dissuade them from the habit of thumb sucking.
• If your child responds well to games and challenges, you can create a game in which they are rewarded for every two or five days of no sucking thumbs with something they enjoy doing.
• Distracting children with an activity when they begin sucking thumbs is a good way to stop them without making them self conscious.

While most children give up sucking thumbs on their own, some children tend to revert to the habit when sad, hungry, tired, bored or angry. This should only be a temporary problem and soon children will grow out of thumb sucking completely. It is also important not to discuss how to stop thumb sucking with children during difficult times, as it soothes them when troubled. Treating the habit of thumb sucking gently and with sensitivity will help your child without causing guilt or shame.

References:

1. Thumb Sucking – Web MD
2. Thumb Sucking in children Lead to Overbite – Bio-Medicine
3. Thumb Sucking – Healthline

What Are Childhood Allergies?

An allergy in child is caused when a foreign substance comes in contact with the skin, lungs, oesophagus, mouth, stomach or intestine and affects the immune system of the body. While some allergy in child may be caused by a particular substance, other children may not get childhood allergies from it. The symptoms of an allergic reaction follow next from which treatment should proceed.

Causes Of Child Food Allergies

Many food substances cause child food allergies. If your child is fond of eating any item which causes children allergies, it is sad to forgo it but it must be done. Wheat, eggs, milk, peanuts, soybeans and some varieties of fish ( such as cod and salmon) and shellfish ( such as shrimps and lobsters) often cause child food allergies.

Symptoms Of A Child With Allergy

Child allergy symptoms may range from extremely mild to very serious reactions caused in the body, depending on

Sneezing is a common allergy symptom. Photo by evah.

the organ that is affected. The brain, eyes, nose, heart, skin as well as other parts of the body may be affected in a child with allergy. Some symptoms include:

• Eyes becoming red, watery and itchy.
• Earache and ear infection may result from children allergies.
• The nose may show symptoms of hay fever, sinus pain, running nose, excessive sneezing, blocked nose and rhinitis. Rubbing the nose a lot (allergic salute) and dark circles under the eyes (allergic shiners) are cause in child with allergy rhinitis.
• Palpitations and irregular heartbeats may result when the heart is affected in a child with allergy.
• The skin may get itchy and inflamed with red rashes.

Child Food Allergies Symptoms

Certain food items lead to certain symptoms. For example, chocolates cause headaches (how sad would be such a child allergy!). Milk and cola drinks are known to cause hay fever, asthma symptoms are commonly by wheat and eggs and hives by strawberries and nuts. However, symptoms may be common to a variety of food products and one food item can cause more than one symptom.

Treatment Of Childhood Allergies

A good nutritional diet makes the immune system strong and is the best way to ward off a child allergy. However, when children allergies are detected from a substance it is best to avoid that food and environmental substance as repeated exposure to it can create further health problems. Additionally, allergy medicines may be administered to control childhood allergies.

Children allergies can be caused from a variety of substances such as indoor and outdoor molds, animal dander and dust mites. So taking care of these childhood allergies is of primary importance to bring up your child in a healthy way.

References:

1. Allergy Treatment Guide – Keep Kids Healthy

Recognizing Signs of Swine Flu in Children

Watch for the signs of swine flu or regular flu: fever, coughing, head and body ache, chills, and a sore throat. In young children, symptoms that require urgent medical treatment are: rash on the body accompanied by fever, unconsciousness, unresponsiveness, blue tinge to skin tone, respiratory difficulty or breathing faster than usual. If your child displays any signs of swine flu, keep him or her at home and away from childcare or school, and get a doctor’s opinion.

Tips for Parents to Protect Against Swine Flu

• As a rule, it is a good practice to develop and encourage habits of washing hands often during the day. Teach children to wash their hands and face in the morning, in the evening, before and after meals, and shower after playing or before going to bed.
• Teach children to avoid touching their face or mouth to prevent transmission of any virus or bacteria.
• Arm yourself with information on swine flu to be prepared for any signs or precautions.
• Simple etiquette like using a handkerchief or tissue when sneezing can reduce the swine flu risk.
• Clean household surfaces, especially doors and door handles frequently. Regular household cleaners are effective to protect against swine flu.
• If your child is diagnosed, he or she will remain infectious for 7 days after the signs of swine flu started. Do not let infected children interact with other children or family members during this time. Stay at least one meter away from the infected person to avoid the swine flu risk and prevent contamination by droplets and keep a separate sleeping place if possible.
• Swine flu can be treated but antivirals cannot be taken unless a diagnosis confirms that your child has swine flu or is at serious risk of developing the illness.

Tips and Information on Swine Flu for Childcare Professionals

• Spread information on swine flu. Educate children in creative ways and ensure that they learn and practice methods to protect against swine flu.
• Teach children to wash hands and face regularly, and especially before eating.
• Children should be taught about germs, as well as to avoid touching their faces, to cover their mouths when sneezing and to use handkerchiefs.
• Clean all surfaces every day with a regular disinfectant, especially those that are touched by children to reduce swine flu risk.
• Observe rules of hygiene during eating and snack time. Provide a separate cup, plate, bowl and spoon for each child and label it so that there is no sharing.
• If a child displays signs of swine flu, ensure he or she is kept far away from other children until either a doctor arrives or until the parents can be called to take the child home.
• Children who show signs of swine flu will remain infectious for approximately 5 days after the symptoms begin to show. A child who is ill should not be allowed to come to childcare during this time.
• Use a spray with high alcohol content to disinfect the air around at regular intervals.
• Use social distancing in the areas where children congregate: move desks further apart, have smaller groups of children if possible, do not overcrowd children into one area for activities.
• Provide warm water and soap for children to wash hands, or hand rubs or sanitizers.
• Staff members who are ill should be made to stay at home, whether you are prepared for the extra time you or some other member will have to put in. A few extra hours of work will not hurt, but contracting an infection can have serious consequences.
• Prepare parents by providing information on swine flu and making your rules very clear. Some parents may try to drop children off when they go to work, even if the child is mildly ill. Lay down very strict rules on this or any other behavior that may endanger you, your staff or the other children

References:

1. Swine Flu Q&A – NHS UK
2. Swine Flu and Children: Should Parents Be Worried? – Education
3. Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Health Insurance for Children

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), also known as State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997, to provide health insurance for children whose families that were over eligibility limits for Medicaid programs, but couldn’t afford private insurance. The CHIP is financed by both the Federal and State governments, with each State being allowed to customize the child health insurance program to suit its own people and their needs. For all health insurance for children, elements like eligibility, benefits, payment levels, design of the program, and administrative processes are left to the State government to decide. Every State and Territory has a SCHIP coordinator to administer and oversee the program of health insurance for children, along with waivers and demonstrations.

With the new Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) of 2009, the previously existing Children’s Health Insurance Program has been authorized to provide child health care insurance for children whose families currently use the Program, and financed until 2013 to reach out to the millions of uncovered children in the United States. Currently, children and expecting mothers already covered by this child health care insurance program, and uninsured children and pregnant women from low-income groups will be able to access benefits. In most states, children who are 18 years and below from four-member families earning up to $44,500 a year are eligible for CHIP coverage.

The child health insurance plan under CHIP includes dental care, oral restructuring and emergency dental treatment, eye care, doctor visits, prescriptions, hospitalization, and medical equipment, etc, depending on the State package design.

Medicaid and Child Health Care Insurance

Medicaid provides child health insurance plans for low-income families that fit eligibility norms set by the Federal and State government. Here too, each State designs and defines the benefits and procedures of the child health insurance plan. In this case, payments are made to health providers and not to individuals who are covered. In some states, a percentage or minimum amount of the total cost may be required from covered individual or family.

Eligibility of this child health care insurance program depends on age of child, whether they are disabled or blind, as well as status of citizenship. Children who are residents with parents or guardians who are not citizens may be eligible also. Not all American citizens are eligible for child health insurance plans, even if income is low, but it is best to apply for Medicaid if there is a possibility so that a qualified professional can evaluate the case.

Every State, District and Territory has representatives or administrative bodies for CHIP or Medicaid that are responsible for overseeing child health care insurance procedures in that area. A portion of tax dollars is allocated for child healthcare insurance and benefits that can help a family in times of medical or health emergencies, and new laws make it easier for families to access financial help in these times. Providing adequate coverage through a child health insurance plan in the case of any health or medical emergency now can help avoid unnecessary worry and expenditure later. Parents and guardians will find it worth their time to meet and discuss child healthcare insurance and eligibility with a qualified caseworker of either program.

References:

1. Oral Health Coverage Plans. Insure Kids Now
2. Overview: Medicaid. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
3. Overview: CHIPRA. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services