Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact for questions about my bill?

Please call our billing team at 949-661-2455.

Do you offer prenatal consultation?

We encourage expectant mothers to schedule an appointment prior to delivery for a complimentary prenatal consultation. Please call 949-661-2455 to meet us face to face, ask questions, and tour our office.

What can I do for teething?

Teething can be very uncomfortable for a child and can cause pain, mild fever, mild runny nose, and sometimes mild diarrhea. Teething rings and toys, cool washcloths to bite on, or acetaminophen can be used for relief of teething pain. Acetaminophen is the same as Tylenol, Tempra, or Paracetamol. Medication from other countries may be dosed differently. Please ask your health care provider for accurate dosing information. Some parents use Orajel or Hyland’s Teething Tablets for teething, but we do not recommend their use because of concerning side effects and risk of death. Homeopathic and “natural” drugs are not generally regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for efficacy or safety. Please note that health warnings have been issued by the FDA on Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Orajel.

Why does my child need a yearly preventative care examination (“Well Child Check“) if he or she is healthy and up to date on vaccines?

Preventative health care visits are advised routinely to help keep your children healthy. These visits help us detect illness or disorders that may have otherwise gone unnoticed in early stages. For example, mild anemia can significantly impact a child’s growth or cognitive development. Or, vague abdominal pain can be the result of early depression or chronic constipation. Annual preventative care visits give us the opportunity to give you important advice on preventing disease and healthy lifestyle habits. In addition, well child checks help us assess your child’s social, academic, developmental, and emotional well being.

Are vaccines safe?

Yes! The benefits of vaccination far outweigh any potential risks. Vaccination is one of the most important services we provide as pediatricians to keep the children of our community healthy. The most common side effects of vaccinations are fever, pain, and localized swelling or redness at injection sites. For more information on vaccine safety, please visit CDC.

Visit our Vaccinations page here

What routine vaccinations are recommended for my child?

Visit our Vaccinations page here

How can I comfort my child after immunizations?

You may gently massage the injection sites and apply cool compresses to the area if there is redness or swelling. For infants less than 6 months old, you may give acetaminophen but NOT ibuprofen per dosing instructions given to you during your office visit. For infants and children 6 months or older, you may give acetaminophen or ibuprofen per dosing instructions provided during your office visit. Acetaminophen is the same as Tylenol. Ibuprofen is the same as Motrin or Advil.

What is a fever?

Normal body temperatures are 97.5-100.3 F for humans of all ages. While a child may feel hot to touch when he or she has a fever, this is not a reliable way to check for fever. A fever is a temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 F. We always recommend checking temperatures with a thermometer. Rectal thermometer readings are most accurate, especially for infants and small children.

Does my child need special vaccinations or prescriptions for international travel?

Please check the CDC travel web page at least 2 months or more prior to travel.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

For more information, you can also contact Orange County Public Health.
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/family/iz/travel

Where can I get my car seat inspected?

In general, children less than 2 years old should be in a rear facing car seat. After 2 years old, use a 5 point harness until your child has outgrown the car seat limitations. Once they have exceeded the car seat limitation, transition to a booster seat with seat belt harness until your child is 57" tall. For car seat inspection sites and other car seat resources, please visit OC health info.