Parent Friendly dentists are this uncommon? I don't know what to do! - Page 2

[bobandjess99]

DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD GO BACK WITHOUT YOU!!!!!

I too was a victim of dental abuse.

They doi AWFUL things to kids in dentists offices. Relly. Not all dentists, of course, but way too many!!!!

Nevere would you ever hand your kid off to a stranger any other time, don't do it at a dentist's office!

**IF** the dentist gives you the bull about your child acting better without you or whatever, then say " Fine, I'll be happy to let you take him back without me, provided i get to watch on closed circuit tv, that way, you get to do what you need to do without me "interfering" but I get to know that my child is safe" I have stopped SO MANY dentists in their tracks with this one. there is no counterargument to be made......except that they just dont want you watching them, in which case...why the He^& would you let them have your child??

[SomedayMom]

Are you trying general or pediatric dentists? I think you might have better luck if you try general family dental practices, and I agree with asking other AP moms who they use.

I am a general dentist, but since I practice such limited hours, I have limited to children (DH works on older kids and adults, same practice). I can get why dentists prefer not to have the parents in the room (and despite the horror stories, it is usually with good intentions), but I DO NOT get actually forbidding it. The percentage of kids that actually do better without their parents is small. A similar percentage of kids do better WITH their parents. And most kids are actually fine either way. And there is no reason a parent whose child might do better alone couldn't at least be close enough to watch. I am a mom and I protect my child. We don't have a policy on this. Most parents stay, but the ones that leave are welcome to come in and out of the room as they please.

Before my son was born I worked full time in a practice that was changing to this policy. It's one of the reasons I quit.