Healthwise: Keeping your New Year's health goals
Dental and vision preventive care are just as important as exercise and eating right.
More green beans. Fewer cookies. New workout goals. And… a trip to the dentist?
If you keep one New Years’ health resolution, the Environment, Safety and Health Department (ESH) reminds Sanford Lab employees to keep this one: stay up-to-date with preventive care. Preventive care includes regular dental, eye and general physical exams and is just as important as adopting new habits into your health regimen.
That means scheduling regular dental, eye and general physical exams are an important part of maintaining your health and detecting any health issues early.
“If you are enrolled in the SURF health plan, yearly physicals are covered. That's one of many reasons to have a yearly physical done with a network provider. Regular vision and dental exams are the best defense against related diseases,” said Michelle Andresen, ESH safety coordinator.
Schedule your annual eye exam
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular eye exams can detect eye problems at their earliest stage—when they're most treatable. These exams give your eye care professional a chance to help you correct or adapt to vision changes and provide you with tips on caring for your eyes.
Sanford Lab employees are also eligible to receive a free pair of prescription safety glasses annually, so make sure yours are up to date.
Schedule any necessary dental work
Dental exams can identify health problems like oral cancer and gum disease. The Mayo Clinic recommends, regular dental exams to help protect your oral health and general well-being. A dental exam gives your dentist a chance to provide tips on caring for your teeth and to detect any problems early—when they're most treatable.
Have an overall checkup with your doctor
For overall general health, it’s important to visit your family practitioner annually. At Sanford Lab, occupational nurse Laura Baatz provides general physical health exams. To learn more about this service, contact Baatz at lbaatz@sanfordlab.org.
For more information on Sanford Lab health benefits, contact Eileen Brosnahan at ebrosnahan@sanfordlab.org.