Furious: My baby was banished at the dentist

Discussion in 'Other Conversation' started by Actressdancer, Oct 20, 2011.

  1. Brenda

    Brenda Active Member

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    *LIKE*
    strength in numbers
     
  2. mom_of_bree

    mom_of_bree New Member

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    I had an experience at my children's former dentist (though not as bad as yours) about a year and a half ago.
    My daughter was 4 at the time and I knew from previous visits that I could go back with her. My son was only a few months old at the time and in his carseat. When they called her name, we headed towards the back. When we got right inside the door the dental assistant stopped me and said, "Let me check and see if it is okay for you to bring your baby back here."

    So she went and talked with the people in the office and another lady in scrubs (who at the time I didn't realize was the dentist. I didn't recognize her from our previous visits.) The dentist came over and started talking to me about how they only like the parents in the room and then she had the nerve to tell me the ladies in the office could watch him!!!! I immediatly told her no! I wasn't about to leave my child with strangers! After some talking she finally said I could bring him back there, but next time to find a babysitter. She said other siblings prevented my full attention on the other child during the exam. After the dental assistant did her job, the dentist came in the room and again made a big deal about him being with me. I really think she was upset with me over the ordeal because she then proceeded to make my daughter cry while examining her teeth (she hadn't cried at all for the dental assistant, and she used the polisher!). The dentist was just rough, loud and rude.

    I understand if they have a policy not allowing other people in the room besides parents, but they should make it well known before every appointment. They made me feel like it was all my fault and I was incredibly dumb for not realizing it! If I am paying them money, I do not want them making me feel dumb for a little misunderstanding.

    I was so mad because #1-my son was only a few months old and in a car seat! I ended up having to get him out and hold him bc I was afraid they would kick me out of the room if he made any noise! #2- I DON"T HAVE A BABYSITTER! I live away from my family and all of my husbands family works. After some incidents in our area (not with my children), I no longer trust anyone but family (and close family at that) to babysit my children. I know there may times when I will have to find a babysitter, but right now it is easier to take both kids with me on errands!

    Needless to say, we didn't go back and have since found a wonderfull dentist! They are so much more child friendly!
    I am sorry this happened to you, but hopefully your story will get spread and prevent other family friendly people from going there!
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2011
  3. Actressdancer

    Actressdancer New Member

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    I've been trying to stay out of it because I didn't want them to come at me with 'evidence' that I'm intentionally causing trouble or anything. But I think enough time has now passed that I can safely make my review.
     
  4. eyeofthestorm

    eyeofthestorm Active Member

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    No, no. See, next time, you'll have found a new dentist.

    These people don't get - it's not about the policy. It's about behaving professionally. In your story, the dentist did not.
     
  5. Marylyn_TX

    Marylyn_TX New Member

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    Gosh, this all makes me VERY grateful for our dentist! We go to the same office that Charles went to when he was growing up. (Not the same dentist, but the same office...) It's actually in a big life insurance office building - not your typical office! LOL They mostly cater to adults (probably mostly to adults who work in that complex), but they have a few kids' books in their very small waiting room, and they have a "treasure box" with cheap Oriental Trading kinds of toys for the kids when they are done - my girls still love those! The office is EXTREMELY friendly. We all go together - sort of a family dental date. LOL One of the hygienists takes me and Charles and another one does the girls, so one of us is always free. Not only are we allowed in the room with the girls, but the girls wander between the rooms at will, watching us get our teeth cleaned and watching their sister's cleaning. They don't go visit someone else's room, of course, but there are only 4 rooms and the doors are open, so it's pretty easy to tell who is where.

    We did visit a "regular" children's dentist once. Joy, our older daughter, had a 2 year molar that never came out and ended up becoming abcessed and had to be removed by an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon recommended taking her to a pediatric dentist who might notice similar troubles sooner, because they were used to looking for things like that. So we tried the one he suggested, and it was awful. They also tried to tell me that I couldn't go back with the kids, but I explained that my younger daughter is autistic and (was then) non-speaking, so they reluctantly allowed me to go with her. I could see the rest of the kids from where I was sitting, too, and although the hygienists who were working with both of my girls were very kind, several of the others were very brusque with the poor kiddos they were working with. Ugh.. Then they told me that the girls had multiple cavities and needed sealant on their adult teeth, and it would be almost $1000. yikes! It was clean and glossy, but I was not happy about it. We went back to our regular dental dates after that. It costs the same amount for all 4 of us as it did for just the 2 of them there, and we are MUCH happier!
     

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