Calla, you need to find another dentist! It has been my experience that some dentists are very gifted with young children. If a child is freaking during the exam, then it is not a good fit. My kids are quite intense yet we have been able to find 2 dental professionals who are great with them. Other parents have experienced the same with these professionals.
FWIW, I want to extend a big welcome to dental professionals in this subforum 
. I have learned a lot from dental professionals who have been brave enough to post in forums and yahoogroups -- even though they tend to get a lot of flack. It's a chance for me to learn why they do what they do -- even if I disagree with it. IMO, parents would be wise to ask questions and raise concerns without making it personal 
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In kiddie's defense, the papoose is just a tool. I think that for some children, the sensory experience of being restrained might actually calm them down. I think the problem is that the papoose is often used to perform procedures against a child's will, possibly when the child is terrified. This seems like torture to me. OTOH, the dentist is in a difficult position when a parent wants dental treatment and refuses GA for a young child. Does the dentist risk causing serious harm to a resisting child with dental tools? I cannot imagine being asked to drill into a child's mouth while they are resisting when I have problems even brushing my child's teeth -- and I'm the parent. They are in a difficult position IMO. Some of the oral sedation methods are risky -- for example chloral hydrate in the dentist's office (more risky than GA IMO). Nitrous oxide would probably work on some children, but not the more intense, strong-willed types who need more work.
I am thrilled that we don't have to make these choices. I did not feel comfortable with GA or oral sedation or the papoose. I am really thilled that my plan to arrest dd's decay and remineralize is working. If dd develops an abcess or our strategy stops working, we will probably go the GA route.
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Originally Posted by Arduinna
 The problem with the papoose is that it doesn't protect the child from mental harm. And as parents our children's long term physical and mental health are of utmost importance. The papoose may be a means to an end for you, as someone that clearly works in the dental field but parents have much more to consider. And I resent your showing up here and trying to sell the papoose as some sort of benign technique.
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. I have learned a lot from dental professionals who have been brave enough to post in forums and yahoogroups -- even though they tend to get a lot of flack. It's a chance for me to learn why they do what they do -- even if I disagree with it. IMO, parents would be wise to ask questions and raise concerns without making it personal .In kiddie's defense, the papoose is just a tool. I think that for some children, the sensory experience of being restrained might actually calm them down. I think the problem is that the papoose is often used to perform procedures against a child's will, possibly when the child is terrified. This seems like torture to me. OTOH, the dentist is in a difficult position when a parent wants dental treatment and refuses GA for a young child. Does the dentist risk causing serious harm to a resisting child with dental tools? I cannot imagine being asked to drill into a child's mouth while they are resisting when I have problems even brushing my child's teeth -- and I'm the parent. They are in a difficult position IMO. Some of the oral sedation methods are risky -- for example chloral hydrate in the dentist's office (more risky than GA IMO). Nitrous oxide would probably work on some children, but not the more intense, strong-willed types who need more work.
I am thrilled that we don't have to make these choices. I did not feel comfortable with GA or oral sedation or the papoose. I am really thilled that my plan to arrest dd's decay and remineralize is working. If dd develops an abcess or our strategy stops working, we will probably go the GA route.
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