What Would You Have Done? Referrals??

GOOD JOB!!!!!
I would be very leary about that dentist office. I have never heard of that! I have 4 kids and have always gone in with them. If they had told me that, I would have walked out also. It makes you wonder what they were up to. You hear all these horror stories about immoral doctors. I'm not trying to scare you but you did the right thing!

The dentists are not alone with the children they have the hygenist or other employee stay with them. This rule has worked well for me. My 11 and 8 year old girls have no problem visiting the dentist. I think children do over act for their parents. It is too bad the employee was rude otherwise it could have worked out. I would just call around to detist and see if they follow the same practice.

M.,
This is not a new practice. When my daughter was 8 we had a dentist who used to allow me to go back with her. One day we went in and I was told they had implemented a new policy of no parents chairside. I was furious. We never went back. I feel that if a dentist is so concerned that he might mess up and he doesn't want the parent to witness it then he shouldn't be practicing. They say it's b/c kids act worse with the parents there. I find that concept ridiculous. If a child is scared I am pretty sure it's going to be more comforting to have their mom or dad with them versus the hygienist. Good luck finding another dentist. If you do find one that allows the parents to go back, please let me know. I have a 9 month old who will be going to the dentist soon enough. Thanks.
M.

Actually, that's quite common for pediatric dentists. However, I don't agree with and wouldn't go to one of them. I take my son to Dental Care for Kids in Flower Mound (off 2499 between 1171 and 3040. They don't push my boys to do anything they are not comfortable with but at the same time, they do a good job of getting them accustom to the whole dentist experience. I would highly recommend them. Here is their website.
http://www.dentalcare4kidstexas.com/

C.
Christan SAHM with a 3 YO and 19 month old

Hi M.,

You were absolutely right to walk out the door!! There's no way I would ever let either of my little ones go into any type of Dr office without me!

I do have a referral for you....we have been going to "The Dentist" in the Albertsons shopping center off swisher for almost 4 yrs. They are absolutely wonderful with kids! When my daughter had her 1st visit there at 3 yrs old, I laid in the chair and she laid on her back on top of my while they did her check up. She's now almost 7 and LOVES to go there for her check ups. Their phone # is ###-###-####.

:-) H.

My entire family goes to Dr. Gaylen Fickey. My kids came for happy visits at about 3 1/2. Got sit in the chair and the tools were explained and the dentist looke in their mouth and counted their teeth - no cleaning or x-rays at this time. The regular visit was at 4 the entire staff is wonderful and makes the kids very comfortable and parents are welcomed and encouraged to be with them.

I have a different perspective (now). We had the same experience with a Dentist in Wylie. My husband and I took our 3 1/2 y/o son for his first visit and were told the same thing. In this case, it was an open area of other kids, and patients. I wanted to go back and sit with him but my husband basically talked me in to following their process. My husband walked back their a couple of time to check on him and he was fine. When I went back to check on him, he wanted to get up, he wasn't paying attention to the dentist any longer and wanted me to hold his hand. So I actually ended up proving their point! I interrupted the flow. Kids act differently around their parents. I would suggest that if it's an open area, not a office with a closed door, to try it again.

You did the right thing mom! Yay you!
We take our daughter to our dentist -- Gary Taylor on Fulton (just north of Denton High School). We went to church with the Taylors for years. The whole staff is wonderful, patient, kind... Charlise (not sure if I'm spelling her name correctly) is the hygienist who works with the kids. We took our daughter for her first visit at age 3 and she loved it, loved talking with Charlise, etc. and I sat in a chair close by. She had a second successful cleaning 6 months later and she's looking forward to going again soon to get a new princess toothbrush. My husband and I just had our appointments and she was disappointed that she didn't get a turn too. :-)

This is the standard at pediatric dentists. I know it seems counterintuitive but children actually do best without parents there. I am an optometrist and will let parents come if they insist, but things usually go smoother without them and course when I finished we discuss results/questions with parents.

Don't go there again. Dental Care 4 Kids is great. But it is in Flower Mound.

M.,
HIGH FIVE !!!! I am proud of you and impressed by you! If I lived in Corinth I'd be your best friend ☺☺ !!! I went through the exact same thing here in Coppell 9 years ago. (Has it been that long?) The most talked about and liked pedi-dentist in the area did everything they could to keep me out of the exam room. I just walked in anyway and was made to feel like such an intruder. We never went back. There is another pedi-dentist in town who welcomes parents into the exam room so she is now our dentist.
I am 43 years old and have 4 children ranging in age from 18 - 3. I have been in the mommy business for awhile and have learned sooooo much. You are totally on the right track in taking up for your kids and not letting someone intimidate you. You are all that stands between your babies and the world. No one ever has a right to go to your children except through you. No doctor, dentist, teacher, etc. I have found that many professionals that deal with children want to bypass the parents...that always sends up a red flag to me and I just don't allow it.
OK...I got preachy...I'm sorry. I can't help it on this issue. I've run into a lot. You are obviously a great mom...your kids are luuuuucccckkkkkyyyy!
P.

I probably would have done the same thing. I've heard this story lots of times. I think the rationale is that parents are often very nervous at the dentist themselves and kids sense that. Our dentist is in Flower Mound (Dental Care 4 Kids) and they let parents come back with small kiddos.

I do know of another practice in town that people love, Dr. Duffy, who does not want parents back there. This would probably work better for one of my sons. I think he would respond to their requests better if I weren't around. It's an individual thing and that dentist should have his people notify moms of new young patients of their policy before you arrive at the appt.

Hi M.-

You did the right thing! And I agree with Shannon that you should write a letter to the dentist himself to make sure he knows what happened.
We also see Dr. Duffy in Flower Mound and she is wonderful! The kids love her office (there is a giant indoor tree slide in the waiting room) and the staff is exceptionally friendly and accommodating.

Good Luck,
D.

Wow! I just called my dentist because my son will be 3 in July. They said it's my choice. Some parents feel that their child will do better if the parent is not in the room - and others the opposite. But, PARENTS choice! I know if I were a new patient at an office I would NOT leave my child alone with anyone! It's bad enough in our world today that alot of professionals take advantage of people - and bad things can happen.

Ours is in The Colony if you're interested - and he's AWESOME!!!

Oh my goodness! I would have done the exact samething. I have three children and we go to The Dentist next to Albertsons in Corinth. They do not mind at all...infact, they have actually brought in other chairs for my other two kids and myself while one is being seen. I have even stood right next to one holding his hand while he was getting work done.

You did the right thing!

We see the dentists at Dental Care 4 Kids in Flower Mound as one other response mentions. They have always made me feel welcome. My kids enjoy going to the dentist there.

Oh, I SO would have left!! And if I had been in the waiting room and overheard this exchange, I would have also left with you. I think you did the right thing. But I think you need to follow it up with a personal letter to the dentist. I would be hard-pressed to believe the dentist shares this same view and certainly needs to be made aware how the assistant is handling new patients. Maybe the dentist does want to see children without the parents, but certainly not on the first visit!!!

And fyi - I agree with you - I can't believe any dentist or doctor anywhere would want to see kids alone.

And also - please go and put this experience under Local Business Reviews so other mamas are aware of how this dentist office does business.

I've taken my son to Dr. Debra Duffy and have had a wonderful experience.

Good luck finding a new one, and thanks for posting for all of us. If you write a letter and get a response, I'd definitely be interested in knowing the response!

Have you filed a complaint? Here is the webpage for more information. You might be the first one to speak up and get this changed in this dentist's office.

http://www.tsbde.state.tx.us/index.php?option=com_content...

Good luck!

You absolutely did the right thing!! They should always let you come back with your child. Have you considered a pediatric dentist? Maybe one on your insurance plan? They can be hard to find....I use Dr. Mark Landzy in Roanoke...he is great!

Dr. Hubbard is an awesome dentist! I am the biggest chicken and i had to have a tooth pulled he made it seem effortless and he was always talking to me asking if i was alright very sweet and the nurses are great too. He was in Allen but was moving to McKinney. His number is###-###-#### I hope that helps, and i would have done the same thing you did. That was very unprofessional of them to do. YOu did the right thing. You never know like you said, what they could do to your child if they were alone with them. Please give Dr. Hubbard a try. I highly recommend him.

Be blessed

B.

I agree with everyone so far! You absolutely did the right thing and I would have done the same in your shoes. I'm not going anywhere that has an area with adults where they will take my child but I'm not allowed! How foolish! And I'd have to wonder about any parent that allowed that!

I'm sorry I don't have a referral for you...we live too far away, but I'll be you get some good ones from the other moms.

P.

I ran into the same problem with my daughter, too. When I found out that I wouldn't be able to be with her, especially at such a young age, I canceled the appointment. I would suggest that when you call to make the appointment, ask if you would be allowed to go back with your child. My sister-in-law said that she had never heard of it before and had always been allowed to be with her sons. She has always lived in more rural communities. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it was the only difference I noticed.

BRAVO!!!!!!

S.