i am taking my 3yr old & 2yr old to a family dentist on thursday. they have informed me that my 3yr old will have to go back by herself & if she doesnt want to then they will refer her to a pediatric dentist. i can go back with my 2yr old but if he seems uncomfortable with the exam then they will send him out too. my question is i remember going to the dentist & my mom always went back with me. is this a common practice? i dont see why a 3yr old should have to go back by herself, (also this makes my hubby very uncomfortable too, it is a woman dentist but if it had been a man he would not let us go there.) & my 2yr old is special needs, so even when he is 3 i dont feel comfortable with him going back by himself, besides he cant even walk yet & i'm not sure he will in a yr. what experience have you had with a family dentist versus a pediatric dentist?? are you allowed back with your child? should i look for another dentist? also my children are on medicaid so i have to choose a dentist that takes medicaid.
OH my, i just went through this trying to schedule appointments. I was shocked! by how many PEDIATRIC dentists do no let the parents go back with them. Keep on calling around until you find someone that does. My friend is on Medicaid, and she had the same problem, but was able to find somebody. Just hang in there!
I am a dental hygienist and every dentist has a different protocol on how to handle children. Being in the dental field and also being a parent, there is no way I would allow them to dictate whether or not I could be with my child at this time. This does not mean the dentist is "wrong"...that's the way she chooses to do it. I, personally, would take them to a pediatric dentist anyway. Dr. John Gober in Colleyville takes Medicaid and Dr. Sandra Armstrong in Southlake is excellent. Hope this helps. If you are uncomfortable with it, follow your heart. I work for 2 general dentists and both of them allow the parents to come back with the children.
My children go to a pediatric dentist and I am able to schedule apointments with them together, they put them in the two chairs right next to each other and I can stand right in the middle and watch both. They are really good with the kids.
I would also find a pediatric dentist in your area. There is no sense in making your children scared of the dentist at such a young age. My kids love going to the dentist because they have such a good time there - and parents are welcome to stay for everything.
We go to Dr. Weiner's practice, he has two great dentists working there as well. It's in Southwest FW, but you might try calling the Cook's referral line - there are several pediatric dentists affiliated with Cook's. Good luck!
Find a pediatric dentist--they understand a child's needs and will work with you to make your child comfortable. It would be horrible for your child to be petrified to go to the dentist for the rest of his life because this dentist would not let his mother in with him. We live in Arlington and our dentist recommended a pediatric dentist and we are glad he did. Even though our insurance only covered a specific dentist, because our dentist made the referral, they covered the cost.
I agree with the others. You should definitely be able to go back with your kids. I use a Pediatric dentist and I can go back with them up until they are 14 years old. He turns me over to the regular Dentist when they are 15.
I can give you a referral if you are in the NW Fort Worth
Find a new dentist!
I took my 3 year old for her first visit in July and our dentist was GREAT! You should be able to go back there if you want too no matter how old your kiddos are! Our dentist is in Keller if you need his info!
I just took my 2 year old to see a pediatric dentist McAnthony she is on Tarrant right before you get to Denton Hwy. She let us go back with her and there were some older children probably around 10-12 and they all had there parents with them as well. If you don't feel comfortable letting your daughter go back by herself then don't do it find a new dentists.
I went back with my 2 year old and 4 year old, and they didn't have a problem with it. I understand they are thinking that maybe the parents will make the kids more nervous that necessary- but every kid and family is different. I'd say tell them if you aren't comfortable letting the oldest go by herself. At the end of the day- they are YOUR kids, and YOU make the decisions about what they can/can't do. If this dentist has issues with that, I'd find another one. Good Luck!
