Drs. Black and Benton - Philosophy and Forms - Drs. Black and Benton Pediatrics

Philosophy of Care

immunization schedule and research

Schedule
Our immunization schedule takes into consideration recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Our practice no longer accepts families who refuse all immunizations due to the risk that unimmunized individuals pose to others.

Research on Safety
Thanks to immunizations, diseases that were once fatal and devastating to children now rarely affect them. Herd immunity, a critical level only reached through widespread immunization, protects newborns and other immuno-compromised individuals from terrible, preventable disease. Learn more about the safety of immunizations in this article from healthychildren.org, from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

SPECIAL FORMS AND LETTERS

Writing letters and completing forms are an inherent part of what we do. Depending on the exact letter or form requested, you may incur a small charge.

No Charge
Shot records
School medication forms
Sports forms presented during the yearly physical appointment
Letters between Drs. Black and Benton and referred specialists

Variable Charges
FMLA paperwork
Sports forms not in conjunction with a yearly physical
Special reports, forms, or letters

COVID-19 ADAPTATIONS AND SAFE PRACTICES

Please see the statement below regarding our approach and adaptations to patient care during the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

To Our Patients and Families:
With the current increased community transmission of the COVID-19 virus, we the physicians and staff of Drs. Black and Benton Pediatrics want you to know we value your health and safety. This is a highly stressful time for all of us as the pandemic evolves and recommendations continue to change. We want you to know we are making the best decisions possible given current information and circumstances, are following the CDC guidelines, and are doing our best to keep you as well as our staff safe.
With this in mind, if you have an appointment, please call the office number (865)687-1940 when you arrive. You will go through a triage protocol and then be advised to enter the office when your assigned exam room is ready. The waiting rooms remain closed and will be closed for the foreseeable future. Everyone who enters the building is expected to wear a mask unless they are two years old or younger and/or have a medical condition which precludes wearing a mask. To protect our most vulnerable patients, there may be instances in which patients are seen/tested in their vehicle. Also, you will be advised as to the number of people that can be present in the exam room during the appointment. The number will vary depending on several factors.
It is vitally important that well child visits continue as close to on schedule as possible - especially for our younger patients who are in need of immunizations. We continue to see well visits in the mornings to early afternoons and patients with acute illness concern(s) in the afternoon.
This is a difficult situation, and we at Drs. Black and Benton Pediatrics appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Let's all do our part to insure the health and safety of not only ourselves and our own families but for each other and the greater community.