Another dental post: laughing gas?

shopgirl78

Is it a must for pediatric denistry?   Would you allow dental work without?  I have the option.  The bill will be 40 dollar cheaper without the gas. They said they would try without and come get me if it become and issue.  Would you try without?

It's just, its Christmas time (and if I want until Jan, I have to pay the copay again)...

AnnapolisLari

There's no way that DS would get through without it. He completely melted down when she brought out the buzzy tooth cleaner. A drill would send him through the roof.

Temp970088312507122

Depends on the child. DD1 does fine at the dentist and I think if I promised her some sort of treat after, she'd probably be okay without it. If she generally is pretty easy-going, I'd try it without. If she needs it, oh well.

championmama

I say do it.  Up until a few years ago, I had to have the laughing gas myself to get through a cleaning.  I had severely sensitive teeth from overbrushing and went to a dumbass dentist who never mentioned being able to fix that.  thank god for my new dentist.  I still have some sensitivity, but they know when to be careful,a nd I can do without the gas.

CleoKitty

Totally worth it, IMO. I had to pay an additional $75 out of pocket for each time ds had fillings and wouldn't have even considered trying to do it without. It was worth $75 (three times) to make him as comfortable as possible and hopefully avoid any negative connotation with going to the dentist or developing a dental phobia. Plus the laughing gas means no shots of novocaine- my ds would have totally flipped out if he'd seen a needle approaching his mouth!

Littlejen22

Not a flame but money tight or not I would never let money, especially $40, be the deciding factor in my kid's medical care - and I consider dental just as important b/c it can affect everything.  As for laughing gas, if I thought my kid could do without it I might try just b/c I would prefer not to give it but there is no way I would let my kid have pain or freak out to avoid it.  I will say though that I hated it as a kid, I always felt like I could not breath but I am not sure if it would have hurt without it either.  Oh, and why are you not going to be in the room?  There is no way my kid would stay there without me, they would have to strap him down.  I guess if your child is cool with it then that's fine but I personally would want to be there to hold their hand...my dentist would never want the parent to leave.

shopgirl78

Littlejen22:

Not a flame but money tight or not I would never let money, especially $40, be the deciding factor in my kid's medical care - and I consider dental just as important b/c it can affect everything.  As for laughing gas, if I thought my kid could do without it I might try just b/c I would prefer not to give it but there is no way I would let my kid have pain or freak out to avoid it.  I will say though that I hated it as a kid, I always felt like I could not breath but I am not sure if it would have hurt without it either.  Oh, and why are you not going to be in the room?  There is no way my kid would stay there without me, they would have to strap him down.  I guess if your child is cool with it then that's fine but I personally would want to be there to hold their hand...my dentist would never want the parent to leave.

It's not just the $.  Although, it seems like we have a ton of extra expenses this month and next, plus Christmas.  More expenses always stressed me out.   We have savings but MH doesn't want to touch it due to his taxes going up (small business).  I know some dentist don't even offer the laughing gas. I was wondering if anyone had done it without and child was fine.  I am pretty sure, from what I remember, you still get a shot of novacane.   We used it (gas) last time, so I really don't think I can get away with taking it away, kwim?  She loved the "piggy nose" as they called it.  

Generally, parents are allowed in the back with their kids during dental work.  However, I had Jake with me and HE wasn't allowed back there! I didn't know.  He was only 6 months old.   Had I known, I would have left him.    My daughter is very out going and independent.   She had no issues going alone.  Plus I think holding their hand gives the impression that they should be afraid!  Their staff are great and I have 100% confidence in them.  It sounded it like she just had a blast when she was done! I am pretty sure there was a poll once on this and about half the dentist didn't allow parents in the back.