Give your kids a healthy start to the school year with visits to the dentist and doctor.
Dental visits
A dental visit is important for overall health and wellbeing. Dental health affects your ability to talk, drink, breathe and digest food. Good dental health also affects your smile.
The dentist:
- Examines your child’s tongue, gums and mouth for decay and disease.
- Cleans their teeth.
- Checks if they have cavities or need fillings.
Daily brushing and flossing help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Checkups and vaccinations
At a Child & Teen Checkup, the doctor or nurse will check height, weight, vision and hearing. They will also check your child’s growth and development.
Now is a good time to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Many diseases are preventable with a vaccination. To enroll in child care, early childhood programs and school, children are required to have certain vaccinations. The Minnesota Department of Health has a handy chart to show when your child or adolescent should get a vaccine.
Sports physicals
Sports physicals are a pre-participation medical evaluation. They help identify risk factors for rare, but possible life-threatening conditions which may happen during physical activity, such as a heart rhythm problem. For children with chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma, a sports physical provides guidance about how best to manage any issue that occurs during play.
Children who participate in organized school sports may need a sports physical. A Child & Teen Checkup qualifies as a sports physical but most schools require you to submit a sports physical form.
What you can do
Schedule an appointment. If you don’t currently have a medical clinic, you can find one in the online member provider directory. To find a dentist or make an appointment, call our vendor Delta Dental at 651-348-3233 (866-298-5549), Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Get the sports physical form from your school for the doctor to fill out. If your child plays high school sports, you can get the Minnesota State High School League Sports Qualifying Physical Exam Form online.
Earn rewards. Members can earn a $25 gift card for Child & Teen Checkups and annual dental visits by a network dentist. Read more about the rewards program online.
Learn more. Use the Hennepin Health Healthwise® Knowledgebase online tool to watch videos and read helpful information.
If you need transportation, interpreter services or have any questions, call Member Services at 612-596-1036 (TTY 711).
Some back to school resources
You may brush your teeth twice a day but are you also flossing? Flossing is an important part of good dental health habits. Floss at least once a day to keep your gums healthy and prevent tooth decay. Make flossing easier when you:
- Choose the type and flavor of floss that you like best.
- Pick a flossing tool that you are comfortable with.
Flossing steps
Follow these steps whether you use dental floss or a plastic flossing tool. Plastic flossing tools can make flossing easier and are available for adults and children.
- Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums.
- Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape and gently slide it under the gum line.
- Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off plaque. Popping the floss in and out without scraping won't remove much plaque and can hurt your gums.
Learn more about healthy dental habits using the Hennepin Health Healthwise® Knowledgebase (in English and Spanish).
To find a dentist or make an appointment, call our vendor Delta Dental at 651-348-3233 (866-298-5549), Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Our outreach team is in the community to engage with you face-to-face and to meet you where you are. They promote awareness of our plan benefits and rewards. They collaborate closely with new and established community partners.
You can find us at many upcoming events; go to the August outreach calendar.
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As the cost of groceries remains high, some families are finding it hard to keep food on the table.
Looking for food shelves and other free food resources in Hennepin County? Check out the online map at https://www.hennepin.us/food-shelves. Contact each location to verify days and hours before visiting.
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More resources
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CEAP Farm Fresh Fest – Wednesdays, August 16, 23 and 30. Receive fresh, in-season produce.
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Four Sisters Farmers Market – Thursdays, August 17, 24 and 31 in Minneapolis. An Indigenous-focused farmers market that provides affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate local foods.
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VEAP Mobile Food Pantry – Thursdays and Fridays in Bloomington and Richfield.
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NorthPoint Free Fresh Food Friday – Friday, August 25 in Minneapolis. Fresh fruits, vegetables and community resources, rain or shine.
Hennepin County has free technology tools in the community for people who aren't able to access online tools using their own personal devices. Using a digital access point, residents can:
- Access and complete online applications.
- Scan and print Human Services documents.
- Use a phone to contact a county representative.
- Register to vote.
- Complete a Hennepin County homestead application.
Go to hennepin.us/residents/human-services/human-services-online#tech.
The USAC Affordable Connectivity Program helps low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices. Some may get high speed internet for free. Go to affordableconnectivity.gov.
National Breastfeeding Month
Breastfeeding is the best food for your new baby. Breast milk is easier for babies to digest than formula. Breast milk also helps protect your new baby from infections and other illnesses or allergies.
Some breastfeeding resources:
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National Immunization Awareness Month
This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. Protect your family against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccinations.
Read the CDC’s Growing Up with Vaccines interactive guide for information on vaccines recommended during pregnancy, throughout childhood, and into adulthood.
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Healthy vision contributes to a child’s school readiness, and ability to learn and perform. Vision screening and eye care are essential for a healthy child.
One of 20 children ages 3 to 5 has a vision problem that could become permanent if left untreated. Yet 80% of preschoolers do not receive an eye screening. Have your children’s eyes examined during well-child visits beginning at age three. Your child’s eye doctor can help detect nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and other diseases.
Learn more:
Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide is a major public health concern. Suicide is the third most common cause of death among young people. Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives.
Some suicide prevention resources:
Pain Awareness Month
Pain is the number one reason Americans access the health care system. The nation spends up to $635 billion each year on chronic pain through medical treatments, disability payments and lost productivity. There is no easy fix for chronic pain but there is a wide range of therapies and strategies that can reduce its severity and impact on your life.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that is present most days or every day for six months or more. Because each person is unique, their pain treatment should be too. You can create a personal pain plan at mypainplan.org.
Additional resources
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Cholesterol Education Month is a good time to check your cholesterol level and take steps to lower it. High blood cholesterol affects more than 65 million Americans. It can increase your risk for heart disease or stroke. You can lower high cholesterol:
- Check your cholesterol levels to know your numbers.
- Change your diet and lifestyle to help improve your levels.
- Control your cholesterol with help from your doctor if needed.
Resources to help:
National Prostate Health Month
During his lifetime, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. There typically aren’t early warning signs for prostate cancer. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and don’t cause health problems. Screening may find prostate cancer early and help prevent its spread.
Some prostate health resources:
We support the NAMI Minnesota annual walk to advocate for those with mental health challenges and their families.
Saturday, September 23 Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, Minneapolis
Visit NAMI Minnesota to register and for more information.
Eligible Hennepin Health members can get a ride to and from health care services for:
- Medical, dental and physical therapy appointments.
- Mental health and chemical dependency appointments.
- Occupational therapy, acupuncture or chiropractic appointments.
- Appointments with social navigators or care guides.
- Getting your prescription at a pharmacy.
Ride options are a bus/light rail pass, taxi or specialized transportation. Pick up or reload a bus/light rail pass by phone or at the Member Service Center.
Call us at 612-596-1036 (TTY 711), Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Call three days before you need a ride and we will get you the right transportation option.
DHS approved 8/22/2023 ID# MC-1491-MC
Language and civil rights notices
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