One year ago, we found out DD had 10 cavities. Ped dentist would not do any work without GA. Found a dentist who does laser dentistry and he did 8 of the cavities with that and she tolerated that fine. The last two were too deep for the laser and so we went to another ped dentist, who was obviously mostly concerned with getting patients in and out, declaring that DD was an "informed consumer" the likes of which made her job "harder" and that DD "needed" sedation. And I would NOT be able to go back with her. I left feeling so frustrated. DD finally woke up with one of these teeth absessed two days before Christmas, with everything closed or not giving appts til Jan. Got her in to see a gen dentist who finally recommended the best ped dentist ever 
! This guy is a genius in how he handles the little ones. He's like Mr. Rogers only MORE laid back .
Amazing - he practices pediatric dentistry and does NO sedation in his office. Not even versed. No papooses. He told me "I do not hold children down." He only has nitrous oxide. He does go to the hospital 1x/week to do GA appointments. He agrees with the anesthesiologists that being totally under with constant monitoring is better than going in and out of consciousness with in-office sedation and no anesthesiologist monitoring (which is totally in line with all the research I had done previously).
My 3yo was able to have major work done with only nitrous oxide. He was totally willing to work with her and take his time. He says "I don't rush the process, I do what's best for them." He talks to them the whole time and tells stories and keeps them engaged. And the assistants are all so very patient too. Honestly, his practice is just as much psychology as dentistry.
I'm just so happy I found him. My advice is, if you aren't comfortable with your dentist, keep looking. I'm SO glad I kept at it until I found one that helped us take care of her with no GA or sedation. It was so worth it.
! This guy is a genius in how he handles the little ones. He's like Mr. Rogers only MORE laid back .Amazing - he practices pediatric dentistry and does NO sedation in his office. Not even versed. No papooses. He told me "I do not hold children down." He only has nitrous oxide. He does go to the hospital 1x/week to do GA appointments. He agrees with the anesthesiologists that being totally under with constant monitoring is better than going in and out of consciousness with in-office sedation and no anesthesiologist monitoring (which is totally in line with all the research I had done previously).
My 3yo was able to have major work done with only nitrous oxide. He was totally willing to work with her and take his time. He says "I don't rush the process, I do what's best for them." He talks to them the whole time and tells stories and keeps them engaged. And the assistants are all so very patient too. Honestly, his practice is just as much psychology as dentistry.
I'm just so happy I found him. My advice is, if you aren't comfortable with your dentist, keep looking. I'm SO glad I kept at it until I found one that helped us take care of her with no GA or sedation. It was so worth it.
