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Behavior at the dentist

SallyJean95SallyJean95 member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

We took ds today and he was hysterical.  While the hygienist did the cleaning we both had to hold him down for her.  After she left I has a talk with ds and basically got him to calm down in time for the dentist to do her exam with no problems.  Ds just turned 4 and this was his third time to the dentist.  Last time he was perfect.  

So the dr kinda berated us for him not behaving at 4 yrs old (mind you this is a pediatric dentist).  Then suggesting we do every 3 months instead of 6 to get him in the habit of going and it's no big deal.  Um, wtf?  We pay out of pocket and I'm being furloughed so we don't have extra cah to go play dentist.  I was so pissed walking out of there.  

Keep in mind ds is afraid of everything right now and we can't even go to the movies with him if there's a scary bear or villan in it.  

I didn't make his next appt and said I'd call.

how does your child do at the dentist?  Does it vary from visit to visit?  Would this be enough to switch dentists?  

Ps.  There are zero issues with his teeth.  She even said good job on brushing and flossing and didn't need to scrape or do anything.  

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Re: Behavior at the dentist

  • Cherryblossoms07Cherryblossoms07 member
    DD does really well but she also has been going since she was 16 months old.  You might want to try another pediatric dentist if that is an option.  Maybe that dentist was just not a good match for you or your child. 
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  • 12bailey1812bailey18 member
    We started DS at 3 so he's only been once. He did fine and I don't expect there to be any issues when we go again. I don't think I would switch dentists unless this wasn't a pediatric dentist. I don't think the dentist was wrong in suggesting you come more often to get him used to it. I understand why you wouldn't want to but I also see where they're coming from too.

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  • TiffanyBerryTiffanyBerry member

    DD is very wary to be too close to new people, and doesn't like them touching her.  For her first visit, I had to hold her down and I will NEVER do that again.  EVER.  It felt so very wrong to violate her trust of me like that.and put her in a situation that was clearly terrifying.

    I will not be seeing that pediatric dentist again.  I did not care for the non-chalant attitude about "just hold her down tighter".  And, because of that visit, we didn't do her 2.5yr visit, and haven't yet scheduled for 3yrs.

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  • MrsWindyCityMrsWindyCity member
    DS is definitely not a fan of the dentist. He's younger than your son (almost 3, last time he went to the dentist he was 2.5), but he has gone since he was 1 and has never done particularly well. However, until his last appointment he also freaked the eff out at the pedi, too. Hopefully since the last pedi visit went well the next dental visit will. I can dream.
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  • groovygrlgroovygrl member

    This post makes me nervous bc my Ds was horrific At his first visit at 2 1/2 but was like a totally different kid at visit two so I thought it would be smooth sailing. Yikes!

    i suspect your son is going through a scared phase...I wouldn't ate him more often bc I assume your insurance prob would not cover a routine visit more than every six months and dental is expensive! I would do role play and stuff at home about it, wad books, hope for the best next time. Probably wouldn't hurt to try a different ped dentist if there is one in the area under you insurance ifyou got a bad vibe. 

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  • honeybee111honeybee111 member
    DD's first visit was at 18 months, and she did cry, but I held her on my lap, and she did ok.  The dentist warned me before that sometimes kids cry at their first visit, and he actually suggested that I bring DD to my appointment so she could see him check my teeth.  I decided not to just because I'd have to bring someone else to watch her and it seemed like too much of a production.  Second visit was at 2.5, and in preparation, we read a lot of books about going to the dentist, we play acted going to the dentist with her dolls, I let her be the dentist and "check" my teeth, etc.  She did great the second time, sat in the chair by herself and everything.  It also helped that they have a prize box for kids after their appointments, so she liked that.
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  • rjeller32rjeller32 member

    imagehoneybee111:
    DD's first visit was at 18 months, and she did cry, but I held her on my lap, and she did ok.  The dentist warned me before that sometimes kids cry at their first visit, and he actually suggested that I bring DD to my appointment so she could see him check my teeth.  I decided not to just because I'd have to bring someone else to watch her and it seemed like too much of a production.  Second visit was at 2.5, and in preparation, we read a lot of books about going to the dentist, we play acted going to the dentist with her dolls, I let her be the dentist and "check" my teeth, etc.  She did great the second time, sat in the chair by herself and everything.  It also helped that they have a prize box for kids after their appointments, so she liked that.

    this is really great advice. I am all for making a kid aware through books and play at home, it's a great way to get a child comfortable with an unusual-to-them situation like the dentist. 

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