Getting to know each other
At Children’s Minnesota, we meet the needs of every child and family we care for, not just their condition. Whether it’s helping a toddler hear better or reconstructing a baby’s face, we focus on both the physical and emotional well-being of our patients. The timing of your child’s diagnosis determines how we begin care.
Diagnosis before birth
- Some conditions, such as cleft lip, can be diagnosed before the baby is born. In these cases, our prenatal counseling and services team will work together to create a personalized plan. Our prenatal counseling team may include:
- Perinatologist (high-risk pregnancy specialist.)
- Neonatologist (newborn care specialist.)
- Other experts to prepare your baby for a healthy start.
Diagnosis at birth
- Some babies are transferred to Children’s Minnesota immediately after birth.
- Transportation may be by ambulance, helicopter, or plane depending on birth location.
Diagnosis after birth
- Some conditions aren’t diagnosed or don’t need treatment until later in life. In that case, our first meeting may be at one of our Children’s Minnesota ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic locations.
Preparing for a clinic visit
If your child’s care journey starts at Children’s ENT and facial plastic surgery clinic, knowing what to expect helps make the first visit less stressful.
Before the visit
- Talk to your child about what to expect.
- Show them a photo of the doctor from our directory.
- For younger children, drawing pictures can help ease anxiety.
On the day of the visit
Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in for your appointment. This will allow us to focus on what’s most important to us—talking with you and taking great care of your child. For the first visit, a parent or guardian must be present. Please bring:
- Any relevant medical records from other health care providers.
- Parent or guardian’s photo ID.
- Insurance card and co-pay (if applicable.)
Your first appointment
- Your first appointment may take 15–60 minutes.
- You’ll meet with an ENT provider who will:
- Assess your child’s health.
- Discuss your child’s condition and symptoms.
- Listen to your questions and concerns.
- Review the results of tests.
- If your child needs additional care, we can connect you to other specialties.
- If surgery is needed, we have our own surgery scheduling team to help you and your child prepare for surgery.
- Depending on your reason for visit, you may be scheduled for a hearing test prior to your visit with the ENT provider.
Continuing the care journey
As your child’s ENT care journey progresses, we’ll partner with you to make the next steps as smooth as possible. Whether you are with us for a day or for years to come, we are here to answer any questions or concerns you have. Your care team will provide you with a clear pathway to reach us for any questions.
Our ENT triage nurses are available via phone or through our online patient portal to answer your questions and guide you in your child’s care. Contact us.
