My two boys had their regular dental checkup. As far as I know, they are scheduled for they're regular cleaning. They don't have the parents go inside w/the children. I was told it was because some kids "act up" more when they see their parents in there, plus..I figured my two boys were 13 years old and 10 years old..nothing too much to worry about.
My 13 year old came out first and he had a piece of gauze in his mouth. I asked, what happened. He could barely talk. I asked if the Dr pulled out a tooth? He nodded his head. I kept asking him questions, but duh..he wasn't able to talk. I asked the receptionist if she could tell me what work was done on my son. She said she didn't have his file yet..I told her, I wasn't aware that my son had to get any other work done..I thought he was just here to get a cleaning. The receptionist called the Dr from the back..he came out and had me come inside. I explained to him that as far as I was concerned, this was a cleaning appt. He said, he had to remove the tooth(baby) because according to the xrays it should it was a little infected. I told him that since my son was a minor, I still believe I should of been notified BEFORE he started to do anything...he told me he gave him a small amount of Novocaine as well and I again I told him, well I should of been notified because you never know my son could be allergic to something. After I threw some of these points out, he looked a little worried...but I was a bit upset. He did call me in to report what how my other son was doing. I'm a bit uneasy about the appointment..just how it went about ....should I change this provider?
Haven't read the other responses, but I would never go back to that dentist again. I would also report him to the American Dental Association.
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You should report the office and get a new dentist.
My dentist called me back to CONFIRM that he should pull a tooth on my daughter. That is why we had scheduled the appointment, and I had already confirmed before she went in. He just wanted a final confirmation. She had a permanent tooth almost fully grown in behind the baby tooth, and it was obvious it needed to be pulled.
I've switched auto shops because they did work without consulting me first, I definitely would switch doctors who didn't consult me first. The doctor was right to pull the tooth if it was infected, but he was wrong for not checking with you first. It may have been a lapse in judgment on the dentist part and he maybe a very good dentist, but I would still switch. I just don't think I would feel comfortable with him again.
Change dentists and have them send over the xray with the infection. Have your new dentist check it to verify there even was one. Chances are there was not one and he wanted the cash for the extraction and figured a baby tooth would be ok. And that will go into insurance as a surgery and I am sure there are laws against operating on a minor without the parent's permission.
You are right to be concerned! No work should EVER be done on your child without your knowledge and consent, no matter what. The first red flag should have been that they do not "allow" parents in the room during the appointments - that would have been a deal-breaker for me. My kids go to a pediatric dentist and I have always had the option of going into the room with them. Anyway, if I were you, I would run, not walk, to another dentist before your kids are due for their next cleaning! Yikes.
Anytime you aren't comfortable with a doctor of any kind, yes change. If this happened to me, I would definitely be looking a different dentist. Unacceptable. They're reasoning seems more reasonable if the children were really young but at 10 & 13, doesn't hardly seem to fit. Time for a new doc. And they definitely should have check with you about allergies and also about what they were getting read to do. Bye bye doc!
Absolutely unacceptable!!
I would report him and never go back there!
We had a facility we had to go to per our insurance when my son was 8 and they tried the same thing. i stronly voiced my concern and refused to allow my child to be seen and treated by a doctor with out me present and they allowed me to sit with him.
This practice just disgusts me!
YES!!! He was WAY out of line. I would report him to the Better Business Bureau (we actually had the attorney general contact us about a bad dentist we had that we reported), because they take this stuff seriously.
I would REPORT him and Not use their office again !!! NOT COOL
Yes, change your provider. He should have talked to you about any medical/dental procedure beforehand to get your permission. The fact that he was clueless about that is a big red flag.
Absolutely not appropriate. I work at a dental office and we don't do anything on minors without parental consent. If you've lost your trust in this dentist, you need to find another one.
I would want to know what kind of procedure was to be done on my minor children. I think your dentist was out of line "UNLESS", you had already signed a release form, since you were not present in the room.
Your 13 year old is old enough to be alone (as long as you know whats happening), I would say children under 13, should have a parent or gardian present at all times.
Blessings...
Man, thats a bad deal. I would be very upset. I would switch and be sure the new office knows how you feel about things, I would hope this doesnt always happen, but you never know.
I would be EXTREMELY ticked off if someone pulled a tooth without consulting me. Our dentist has the kids go back alone, but I would be mortified if that happened.
I agree with everyone. I would also add that I would encourage my child to question something that unexpected and insist on more information (and parent consultation) before any procedure is done. Teens can have doctor appointments without their parents and by law, the doctor cannot violate their confidentiality. Teens need to know how to deal with issues on their own as well and not be cowed by "authority figures".
YES!!! A doctor or dentist should never ever tell you that you can't be with your child. If the dentist office is concerned that the child might "act up" then maybe they are doing something to the child or treating the child in a way they shouldn't. I would even say that you could sue them if you chose to and at the very least not pay for that apt. A mechanic wouldn't fix your car without prior approval, why would you let your dentist do something to your child without checking with you first, last time I checked a tooth that is a little infected is not life threatening or an emergence so he had plenty of time to check with you.
I am SOOOO sorry this happened to you!!!
i would be OUTRAGED - your son is a minor - ANY work that needed to be done - should have had your approval.
Report the dentist to the ADA and find another dentist
Recently, there was a lawsuit against a dentist group that was pulling teeth left and right on children. It was appalling to see the news report on it. Some kids had many teeth pulled at once. The parents were never notified that this was happening. However, the parents were never allowed in the back room. The children were being strapped down so they couldn't move. They had the music turned up so they couldn't be heard out front. Nightmare. I NEVER allow the dentist or doctor to have access to my children without me present. Even if they say "you can't go back here" I just look at them and go back. They cannot forbid you from being with your minor child. I tell them that I will go back with them. If they have a problem with that, we leave. If you push back even a little bit (but with confidence), they cave right away. They know they don't have a leg to stand on. If they push back harder, they are trying to hide something. Run, don't walk.
UPDATE: Here is a link to one of the news stories I mentioned: http://blog.dentistthemenace.com/2008/04/another-child-fi...
Oh yeah!!! Get a new dentist!!!!! No one should preform any procedure on a minor with out parental consent.
I was 17 and by myself at the dentist's office when it was discovered I needed a filling. The dentist stopped and went and called my mother on the phone. He spoke with her and I spoke with her...then he did the filling.
I would be very very angry if anyone did anything to my children I didn't know about. I sit in the room while both my kids have check ups and/or procedures. Sorry this happened...good luck!!
OMG. Totally inappropriate and maybe illigal. Pulling a tooth and novicane is considered dental surgery in some if not most states. That you were not informed it baffeling to me. Yes change dentist and reach out to a lawyer ASAP. I'm sure your son is fine, but there are instances where an infection in the gums after tooth removal can actually go to the heart. I would have lost my cool, lucky you had your head on your shoulders. Sorry for your 13 year old that you weren't notified.
That is not acceptable. Not only should you have been allowed to at least check in on them (they are old enough to be by themselves but to prevent you period is ridiculous) and they certainly should NOT have performed any surgical procedure, especially one requiring novocaine without your knowledge or permission. You definitely need to find a new dentist.
I have never been told I could not check in on my children when they're at the dentists (we have a really good one) and usually since I schedule multiple children at a time I'm either checking back and forth between the cubicles for my girls or I'll stay out in the lobby for my boys, checking on them once or twice.
Yes, change providers and report him. That is unacceptable, irresponsible and I am sure not in line with his licensing or insurance requirements. WOW.
I would change for sure. This is not acceptable. They need to check with the parents. those kids are not adults yet. Don't report him but change for your safety and the ones of your kids
I would have completely flipped out, made a scene, and never gone back. I'd also report him anywhere I could. That's COMPLETELY unacceptable!!
Um yes find a new dentist - that is RIDICULOUS they did that procedure without telling you! My heart started racing reading your post!
What the hell???? would have been my reaction
Yes, you should change providers. Your 13 year old is a minor and can not consent to medical or dental care. Legally, only the parent or guardian can consent to medical or dental care. They broke the law. They can't just do a medical or dental procedure without consent. Did you orally consent to the procedure? Did you ever sign a release authorizing the procedure? Do you have a friend that is a lawyer? Can they send a letter to the dentist?
Definitely change providers, and there should be some way to report this guy. I remember getting lots of baby teeth pulled as a child, and it could be traumatic-- but my mom would prepare me for those visits... they didn't just do it 'on the spot'!
Good luck and so sorry this happened!
I would change dentists immediately and report Dr. NoBrains to your insurance company - you amy not be the only one that has had problems. Your insurance Co. may choose to stop working with him - that would be a huge impact on his income. What if your kid WAS allergic to the topical numbing medicine he used??
What Anna Lee B. said - I would be totally freaked out!
I would find a new dentist immediately! I can't believe he would do that! And, I also can't believe that you can't go back with your kids when they go in! Let them know why you're leaving too...
Um yeah, I'd be pissed. That sort of thing should have been discussed prior to any procedure. He should have come out and talked with you first. Not only was his action annoying, but illegal, as parental consent has to be given for procedures.
I worked at an animal vet, when we did teeth cleanings on dogs and cats, we had to call the owners for approval first... that's just an animal. He showed your child less courtesy that we showed dogs.
Definitely change dentists. AND let them know why you are changing. That is crazy.
I, too, would have gone OFF my rocker!!!!!!! I wouldn't go so far as to sue him or anything like that unless your son develops something that can be directly traced to that procedure, but definitely change providers, and report that dentist to anyone you can think of: insurance, CA Medical Board, etc!! And what's his name, so none of US go there??
Not only do I think you should changed dentists, but I think you should report him to some sort of medical board. First, because he should have never pulled that tooth without consulting with you; and second, if it just had a "little infection" the tooth might possibly have been saved with an antibiotic. Having teeth pulled is, at least in my opinion, a very invasive thing and should not be done, especially on children, unless absolutely necessary. I would NOT pay my co-payment for that visit and ask your insurance NOT to pay the charge as it is disputed and then I would dispute it. I would NOT pay for that and I would NOT continue to use that dentist!
I would change providers. The dentist should have talked to you before doing anything you hadn't already agreed to.
He knows better now, if he didn't (but should have) before. I don't think I would switch just yet but I for sure would not be paying for novacaine or a tooth extraction! Now that the ground rules that he should have known are laid, I would wait to see if anything like this ever happens again.
DEFINITELY leave this office. In fact do others a favor by reporting that to you state's Dental Board. I am Registered Dental Assistant in the state of California and i'll tell you that what he did is considered malpractice
AND negligence. Ridiculous. Its people him that make others afraid of the dentist! He is not allowed to do anything other than what was scheduled for the day (which in this case was the cleaning) without YOUR consent. (not saying that the tooth didn't need to get pulled or anything, but he cannot even put simple fluoride on your childs teeth without your consent if it wasn't previously in the original plan) Im sorry this happened to your family. this makes me so upset both as a dental professional and as a mom.
I would not only change but lawyer up....
OMG!!! I am allowed to go back with my children if I want to.And My dentist tells me everything he's going to do and if he changes his plans (finds something) he comes out of the room and discusses it with me.He has NEVER done any dental work without my consent!And as far as giving him novocaine,that even takes it to another level!Not only is he a minor but you and your insurance are the ones paying the bill.Not only would I leave his office,I would report this.What if he does work on someone else's child and that child is not so lucky?!
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OMG!!! I am allowed to go back with my children if I want to.And My dentist tells me everything he's going to do and if he changes his plans (finds something) he comes out of the room and discusses it with me.He has NEVER done any dental work without my consent!And as far as giving him novocaine,that even takes it to another level!Not only is he a minor but you and your insurance are the ones paying the bill.Not only would I leave his office,I would report this.What if he does work on someone else's child and that child is not so lucky?!
