We will be attending the event to encourage expectant mothers to establish their child’s dental home by age 1 with Dr. Sona. We will have giveaways, information, and will be handing out Free Infant Oral Exam cards to expectant mothers or mothers with children age 1 and under! Spread the word to expecting ladies and anyone else who may benefit! We look forward to seeing you there.

In this constantly busy world, many people – especially parents – are perpetually sleep deprived. We think nothing of late nights, early mornings, and interrupted sleep. Therefore, it might not seem like a big problem when your child doesn’t want to settle down, isn’t taking naps, or has to get up early for school or a doctor appointment. However, a new study published in Academic Pediatrics, the implications of early childhood sleep inadequacies can last for years. Researchers found that early school age and preschool children who regularly received inadequate sleep were significantly more likely to exhibit behavioral issues, poor memory, lack of attention, and other problems. More than 1,000 children were included in the study. Researchers compared those who did and did not sleep enough hours, using the following minimum sleep requirement guidelines:

• 12 hours sleep per day from six months through two years
• 11 hours of sleep from age three to four
• 10 hours of sleep from age five through seven

It seems that making sure your child gets enough sleep now could help you sleep better (or at least experience less stressful misbehavior) later.

There are two words every parent dreads: head lice. If your child has been exposed, he or she is very likely infested. The recommended treatment, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics is 1% permethrin or pyrethrin products (e.g. RID or NIX). However, many parents today seek less toxic, more natural alternatives. The question is, do they work? Several scientific studies have been conducted, intending to answer that question. In one study, 100 percent tea tree oil was found to repel 55 percent of lice; DEET only repelled 26 percent. In another study, children with active headlice were treated with different products, and the results were compared.

• 25 percent of children treated with two applications of a pyrethrin product (used according to manufacturer recommendations) were lice-free
• 97.6 percent of children treated with three applications of a product containing one percent lavender oil and nine percent tea tree oil were lice-free
• 97.6 percent of children treated with three applications of a suffocation product containing mineral oil were lice-free

Although these natural remedies show promise, research is limited. If you are considering an alternative head lice treatment, consult with your pediatrician.