Clinic won't allow me to be in room with my 3yr old

1930 Views 35 Replies 24 Participants Last post by e.naomisandoval, Oct 8, 2007

freespirited

Discussion Starter · Jun 18, 2007

WWYD? I called this place called Small Smiles, you may have heard of it as I think it's national, and made an appt for my dd's first dental appt. I was informed right away that parents are asked to wait in the waiting room while child is being seen, and also that they will go ahead and do any work needed that same day. Plus I got her in for tomorrow and I called today. I don't know, it just seems weird to me that they don't allow the parent to go back there. The big BUT is that they accept Medicaid which dd has, so it is my only option, but I am really put-off by this policy. What do you think? Is this standard with other places or is this a Small Smiles thing, and what are they up to?

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

eclipse

· #2 · Jun 18, 2007

I would just tell them that there was no way I was allowing my child to be in a room with strange adults.

Spock

· #3 · Jun 18, 2007

I would never let dd go back by herself. I would insist that I be in the room with her and if they had a problem with that I would find another place.

mamak05

· #4 · Jun 18, 2007

Lots of dentists in our area do that too. NO WAY!
Can you ask your ped for a more family and kid friendly dentist that accepts your insurance? That's what I did and we have had a great experience. The first exam literally was done in my lap.
Good luck!

tammyswanson

· #5 · Jun 18, 2007

I'd be totally suspicious, ask WHY that is their policy (heh, be ready for some BS). That's too weird! Aren't they worried about liability issues? I sure wouldnt' take my kid there, they could do anything to them.

UmmBnB

· #6 · Jun 18, 2007

Our dentist does that under certain circumstances but more often than not, parents are not only in the room, they are involved - ie. holding the child during the exam.

When ds was 18m he had a filling. It was fast but because of his age they had to wrap him in the cradle-board thing - gawd, i'm totally drawing a blank on the name. The dentist asked that i not go in because B would have been more frantic with me in there, wondering why I wasn't "saving" him. I understood completely. He did the procedure in less than 5m!! Then wisked him to me in the waiting room where I was poised ready to nurse.

So while not being in there was stressful, it was for the best in this situation. For a regular exam, I'd question their reasoning and logic? As B has gotten older and needed another filling, this time w/o retraints, I was holding his hand the entire time.

blessedwithboys

· #7 · Jun 18, 2007

this is a major trend now. i think it is bullcrap. who would send their child into a dr's office and wait in the waiting room??? ok, maybe your child isnt potentially going to get undressed in front of a dentist, butthe very position the chair is put into is one of submission, and damned if i would let a strange adult lay my child down and hover over him like that w/out me being in the room! how many women have been molested, raped even, while getting dental work done?

i refuse to patronize a business (and that is what a dental practice is after all!) that undermines the trusting relationship i have built between myself and my kids! so, we travel 45 mins one way to see a dentist that realizes how that sort of policy is completely inappropriate. what liability they open themselves up to.

that said, i have been on medicaid for yrs, so i know how hard it is to find a doc/dentist. go to the appt, play dumb, try to go back with your dc, and if they say anything, say nicely how your presence will not "stress" your child, but rather, will be soothing. they object, you say firmly "i am going back with my dc". if you get another objection, turn slightly to the other parents in the waiting room and ask loudly, "what is it that you do to these children that you are trying to hide from parents?"

See less See more

blessedwithboys

· #8 · Jun 18, 2007

UmmBnB said:
because of his age they had to wrap him in the cradle-board thing - gawd, i'm totally drawing a blank on the name.

some ppl call it a papoose...the brand name is "circum-straint"

:

Click to expand...

See less See more

DreamsInDigital

· #9 · Jun 18, 2007

There is no way in h e double hockey sticks that anyone would ever take my child to do a procedure on them and tell me I could not be there to comfort my child. NO WAY.

freespirited

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 18, 2007

Thanks for all the fast responses. I think I'm going to call around some other places and see if they accept Medicaid but I think I heard from someone that this was the only place in town that did. I have to admit I don't feel a good about it, but I don't necessarily feel like insisting on going back there either. They must know that most parents do not like this policy. I so wish I had private insurance and had a choice in the matter. We'll have to wait till October for dh to sign up for his work's insurance but I don't know if she can wait until then. I don't think she has cavities but she has an icky film on the tops of her two front teeth that dh thinks could turn into cavities.

I read one review of a Small Smiles in a different state and they said that the dentist insisted the child needed a whole bunch of work that the parent had a hard time believing. I am assuming she'll get x-rays? Do they get them on their first visit? Then if I want to switch dentists she'll likely have to get more x-rays, right? Hmmm. Well I will talk to dh and see what he thinks of all this. Any more comments or advice appreciated!

See less See more

shelbean91

· #11 · Jun 18, 2007

I'd either insist on going back with her or finding somewhere else. If cost is a factor, see about a dental school that might be close- they have discounted services usually b/c it's done by students but checked by 'real' dentists.

ChristyM26

· #12 · Jun 19, 2007

My mom is a dental hygenist and she says that this "no parents" rule is becomming more common. That said, you really should look for a dentist who will allow you in the room. Your dd will be much less afraid with you there (unless, like as a pp said, there's a specific reason they'd not like you there) and more likely to be cooperative, especially if she's never been before.

FWIW, my mom says that the first time they see a child they don't typically do anything but look, to try and acclimate the child to coming to the dentist. It's not until the second or third visit that they actually clean their teeth. This place doesn't sound quite so child friendly - and I wouldn't use them (although, I understand if you have to, you have to - it still stinks though).

Ruthla

· #13 · Jun 19, 2007

I personally would never allow my child to go back without me, not until he or she was old enough to ask me not to be there, or at least state that she didn't care one way or the other and the dentist was somebody I already trusted.

I also have a hard time with doing the work the same day- I'd rather come home, digest the information, research treatment options, and then come back to get the work done. It's far to easy to get bullied into unneeded dental work this way.

Is this the ONLY dentist in your area that takes Medicaid? I would call around.

WC_hapamama

· #14 · Jun 19, 2007

blessedwithboys said:
UmmBnB said:

because of his age they had to wrap him in the cradle-board thing - gawd, i'm totally drawing a blank on the name.

Quote:

some ppl call it a papoose...the brand name is "circum-straint"

:

The papoose wraps I've seen couldn't be used for cirumcision, as they tend to wrap the legs together, pretty much completely enclosing the torso and legs.

Here's a link showing what they look like http://www.quickmedical.com/olympicm...se_boards.html

Circumstraints are devises that have hollows for the head, torso and individual
limbs... completely different from a papoose.

Click to expand...

See less See more

elmh23

· #15 · Jun 19, 2007

i wouldn't allow my lo to go back there alone. plus, my mom warned me to never go to small smiles. she works for a lawyer/mediator who is handling a case with them and while she couldn't tell me why, made me promise i would never take my children there. so, even though it's a local case, i would definatly not let dd go alone!

mommy2two babes

· #16 · Jun 19, 2007

WC_hapamama said:
blessedwithboys said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by UmmBnB
because of his age they had to wrap him in the cradle-board thing - gawd, i'm totally drawing a blank on the name.

The papoose wraps I've seen couldn't be used for cirumcision, as they tend to wrap the legs together, pretty much completely enclosing the torso and legs.

Here's a link showing what they look like http://www.quickmedical.com/olympicm...se_boards.html

Circumstraints are devises that have hollows for the head, torso and individual
limbs... completely different from a papoose.

Ok I know I am not the one who posted this but I don't think she was saying it is a circum-straint but that they are produced by the same company.
Also as someone who witnesses my child in a "pappose" having dental work done, just be glad that you could be so blissfull ignorant as to what your child was going through while in the waiting room! That is as bad as parents not wittnessing the circ of thier new baby boys saying they are fine and its no big deal! Sorry if I sound a little steamed but I witnessed my DD in a "pappose" throwing up and unable to move her head while the dentist worked away "quickly" To see the fear in your childs eyes as they are choking and the adult working on them does not seem to notice. All the while assuring me that that reaction is completely normal and I could leave if I choose to! I still feel sick thinking about it. Needless to say the rest of the dental work never got done and they never got paid (Hey maybe thats why they don't want parents present) I stopped that atrosity but not nearly soon enough. ( and almost punched out that UA violation of a dentist) My DD has a fear now of being wrapped in a blanket and it will be a year in Sept.
To the OP please do not let your child go in alone, you are her only protector.
Krista

Click to expand...

See less See more

meisterfrau

· #17 · Jun 19, 2007

I haven't had this come up, but have read about it here before and all my mama-bear instincts kicked right in. I have a response ready if any misguided place tries to tell me this:

"Why? Are you planning to molest her?"

I'd love to see what kind of response that gets.

fishface

· #18 · Jun 19, 2007

My dentist started doing this when I was a kid. Well, MY dentist went on sabbatical and his replacement did this. She found me another dentist ASAP. Sure, sometimes parents can be overbearing and hindering during a medical or dental exam but that's better than scarring the kid for life and making him/her terrified of the dentist forever.

bdavis337

· #19 · Jun 19, 2007

I took my son to a pediatric dentist when he was 3, and it was a horrible experience. They treated the plaque on his front lower teeth as a medical emergency, and it was horrible for him. We've since been seeing my family dentist, and while I had to beg and plead them to see us "early" (they don't usually see kids until around age 6 or 7, we love it. I'm in the room with him, the hygenist knows us by first names and it's a very positive experience. Since I'm 35 and have had this guy as my dentist since I was 16, I get away with a little more than I might, but I'm about to start taking my 2 yo there as well. Go with your gut, and 3 is waaaay to young to let them go back alone!

duedecember

· #20 · Jun 19, 2007

I called four different dentists this afternoon who take medicaid and treat children. My daughter is 2 1/2 and has not been to the dentist yet. One of the dentists recommended she come at age 3 and the others said they start seeing them at age one. My daughters pediatrician told me three years old so I'm not really sure what age is best.
One of the doctors offices told me I could not go back to the room with her and that is their policy. Another told me when they are age three I wouldn't be allowed to go back and the other two said it was fine for me to go back with her at any age.
The dentist who would not allow me back at all is the one that I was recommended to by a friend. I'm just feel really uneasy not being allowed to go back with her. I have a feeling she would end up having a bad first experience if I wasn't with her.
Another thing that concerns me is dentists who take medicaid in general. I also have medicaid and saw a dentist who said I needed five fillings. I didn't believe her because I am 37 and have always been to the dentist regullary and never had a cavity. so I went for two second opinions and was told there were not cavities in my mouth. I heard that dentists who take medicaid do more fillings since they are being paid less and need the income!
I bet there are lots of pediatric dentists doing unnecessary fillings. I'm sure there are some really good dentists who take medicaid as well but I am weary of them because of my experience.
Before getting those fillings on yourself or your child, get a second opinion if you are dealing with a medicaid accepting dentist!

See less See more

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.