? pediatiric dentist wont do simply exam w/o cleaning?!

[lauraess]

I need my dds teeth examined for school records to begin in sept. ( i know, I am a big procrastinator).. so last friday she wouldnt even lie back in the chair to have a look at by the tech, after watching big brother get his cleaning. Then they give us a name of a pediatric dentist and even though they dont work with our insurance i call them back to ask about the price of ONLY AN EXAM. She tells me it would be $37. Oky dokey, make an appointment, But WAIT... she needs to see if it's okay with the dr. to JUST do the exam. He says "no". Well, I tell her i dont understand why this would be necesary and that not anywhere on the form i have for school does it say anything about a cleaning and/or flouride being completed. She goes and asks again. Still No. ".. for the health of the child." Is that supposed to be an answer? Is that a reason?
obviously I will coninue to look for a dentist in my providers group and maybe then i can afford to have her teeth cleaned (since you know, I guess my cleaning her teeth isnt good enough and we must all get the proper dental cleaning right?) * i mean, cleaning is great but Is it a must for entrance into school????

[coopnwhitsmommy]

I always thought cleaning allowed the dentist to better exam the teeth. Gets all the gunk off and allows for better visuals in the ridges, and between teeth and along the gumline to look for periodontal disease dicolorations and cavaties

[angelpie545]

Since when is getting a dental exam a requirement for school? Is that really a requirement or a reccomendation? I mean, then can't legally force you to have your child's teeth examined for school entry can they? Is your child's health care any of their business? No, unless medical neglect hampers her educaiton.
Don't get me wrong, I am all for dental health and pediatric denistry, but I am also for informed parents and schools not having anything to do with health care; they are about education, not health care. Sorry..........I get a little carried away sometimes when it comes to things like that.

[coopnwhitsmommy]

if she is going to headstart or other federally funded program (even after school programs) they CAN and DO require up to date vaxes Dental exams and Health screenings.

[lauraess]

She's going to a Waldorf, which is private, and also very flexible in regards to vacs and things. I figure if the form is not in on time they wont be concerned, nor if i give a letter of exemption. I only wanted to do as little as was necesary for her first time at the dentist tho, and also in that particualr case was hoping they'd be extra kid friendly-- as per their card and 'reputation'.
I certainly understand a cleaning would allow for better viewing but really didnt expect my dd's teeth to be so in need of that at this point.
~L

[Yooper]

Originally Posted by coopnwhitsmommy

if she is going to headstart or other federally funded program (even after school programs) they CAN and DO require up to date vaxes Dental exams and Health screenings.

That depends on the state. In MI you can sign a waiver exempting you from all of it. That is what we did even though we ended up not sending dd to headstart (we thought we would need daycare, then didn't).

[annakiss]

Moved to Dental...

[Verity]

I've taken my kids to two pediatric dentists, and both would do an exam even if the child wouldn't sit still long enough for a cleaning. I started taking them at 2, just for exams, to make sure there were no early signs of decay. (I'd heard lots of tooth decay horror stories with children who night nursed for a long time, as mine did.)

My 4-year-old still hasn't had a full cleaning. The hygienist brushes her teeth, and lets her see and hold the instruments. This time, dd let the hygienist "tickle" one tooth (use the polisher on it), but that's all we got done. The dentist examined her teeth anyway.

[mamaduck]

Mine had just an exam. On my lap. She brushed them while she examined them, to warm him up the idea of having them worked on for longer next time.

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by coopnwhitsmommy

if she is going to headstart or other federally funded program (even after school programs) they CAN and DO require up to date vaxes Dental exams and Health screenings.

unless you file an exemption