HealthSaver Focus On Back-To-School: Vision, Dental Check-Ups Open Eyes, Brighten Smiles For Learning

It's back-to-school across
America, and it's time to focus on ways to open students' eyes and brighten
their smiles for learning success. As the school bell is set to ring -- and
with one in four children having undiagnosed vision problems and tooth
decay one of the most common childhood diseases -- now is the time to give
students a clear vision for their future. Also, make sure pre-schoolers
have the recommended immunizations and vaccinations.


HealthSaver, an emerging health care discount program, recommends that
in addition to new school supplies, backpacks and trendy clothes, it's a
good idea for students to undergo a comprehensive vision exam, dental
checkup and required immunizations.


"Early vision testing and proper oral hygiene are great ways to start
the school year off on the right foot," said HealthSaver Vice President
Lorien Saumier. "A complete and comprehensive eye and dental exam can spell
greater success in the classroom."


This year alone, 10 million children will return to school with a
vision problem that could interfere with their learning ability, contribute
to disciplinary problems and put them at risk for permanent vision loss,
according to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). The
group also warns that when vision problems go undetected, students have
trouble reading and doing schoolwork, and they often display fatigue,
fidgeting, and frustration in the classroom. An estimated 70 percent of
school-age children who have a learning disability in reading have some
sort of visual problem, according to COVD.


And despite recent improvements in dental care in the United States,
tooth decay is still one of the most common childhood diseases, according
to the American Dental Association. It is five times as common as asthma in
5-17 year-olds, according to the association. And, it affects more than one
fifth of American children aged 2-4, half of those aged 6-8 and nearly 60
percent of those aged 15, according to the National Center for Health
Statistics.


Since 1995, August has been National Children's Vision and Learning
Month, and the goal of this national observance is to help educate parents
and teachers across the country about the critical link between vision and
learning. With that in mind, the experts at HealthSaver and the COVD have
developed a checklist for common signs and symptoms of vision problems that
may indicate the need for a comprehensive vision exam:


Physical signs or symptoms:


-- Frequent headaches or eye strain

-- Blurring of distance or near vision, particularly after reading or

other close work

-- Avoidance of close work or other visually demanding tasks

-- Poor judgment of depth

-- Turning of an eye in or out, up or down

-- Double vision

-- Poor hand-eye coordination

-- Difficulty following a moving target

-- Dizziness or motion sickness















Performance problems:


-- Poor reading comprehension

-- Difficulty copying from one place to another

-- Loss of place, repetition, and/or omission of words while reading

-- Difficulty changing focus from distance to near and back

-- Poor posture when reading or writing

-- Poor handwriting

-- Can respond orally but can't get the same information down on paper

-- Letter and word reversals

-- Difficulty judging sizes and shapes


And brush-up on dental hygiene with these tips from the HealthSaver,
the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental
Association:


-- A Good Cleaning. Your child may think they're old enough to brush their
own teeth, but until they reach the age of six, make sure to take
command and brush their teeth for them at least twice a day, using a
pea-sized amount of ADA-approved toothpaste. Make sure older children
brush at least twice a day, too.


-- Visit your Dentist. Visit a dentist as soon as your baby's first tooth
appears and no later than age one. Book routine visits for professional
cleanings and check-ups as recommended by your child's dentist.


-- Drink Fluoridated Water. Water fluoridation can prevent up to 40
percent of tooth decay. Drinking water with fluoride is still the
easiest and most effective way to fight tooth decay.


-- Don't Forget in Between. A toothbrush can't get into every nook and
cranny so it's important for parents to floss their child's teeth.


-- Eat Well. Make sure your child eats a balanced diet, stays hydrated,
and seeks healthy options for between-meal snacks. Do not put your
child to bed with a bottle containing anything but water, and encourage
use of a cup as their first birthday approaches.


About HealthSaver


HealthSaver offers discounts of 20 percent on vision care, as well as
discounts of 10 to 50 percent on prescriptions at participating pharmacies,
20 percent off complementary and alternative health care treatments and
fitness club benefits. HealthSaver also offers discounts of 10 to 35
percent on dental care services at some 42,000 participating provider
locations nationwide, including routine cleanings, X-rays, fillings,
orthodontics, and even popular cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth
whitening. Members can also save from 5 to 50 percent off vitamins and
supplements by mail. Discounts are based upon reasonable and customary
costs or manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) and are only available
from participating providers. HealthSaver is not an insurance product or
service. More information about HealthSaver is available online at
healthsaver or toll free by calling 1-800-7HEALTH (1-800-743-2584).
A one month trial membership in HealthSaver ( healthsaver or
1-800-743-2584) costs $1 and can be canceled anytime during the trial
period. Unless the member calls to cancel during the trial, membership will
be extended automatically and billed to a credit card number at the $149.99
annual fee. Members may call toll free to cancel at any time and receive a
refund of the unused portion of their current year's fee. HealthSaver is
offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and
loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch
the lives of millions of Americans.


About Affinion Group


Affinion Group, affiniongroup, is a leading affinity direct
marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement
programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience,
Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through
more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity
partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries,
including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities
and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation
which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn.,
Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United
States and in 13 countries across Europe.


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