I finally took Victoria for her first dental appointment a week ago. The ADA recommends visits starting at 12 months, which I just can’t imagine. Victoria only had two teeth at 12 months. Because of my complicated (EXTREMELY) dental issues, and her lack of general cooperation regarding sitting still and anything medical, I thought a super fun pediatric dental practice would be the best way to go. I received a recommendation via my Prosthodontist and it is a pediatric only practice approximately 17 miles from my house, close to where I work. Basically, I had to drive home, pick up V, and drive back. I got her all ready to go see “Dr. XXX”. We came in and right away I wasn’t impressed with the waiting room. There were no little tables or child seating or cartoons on the wall or anything to make “kid friendly and exciting”. They had books and a few older blocks, and an old dollhouse with all the pieces missing. Really? Really? I was disappointed.
There were another two little kids in there playing and their mom was super sweet and kept asking Victoria to play. She sat apprehensively next to me on the couch (I hope she doesn’t have mama’s anxiety disorder). We went in 25 minutes late and she starting bawling and clinging to me. The Dentist had me sit crossways in the chair with her legs wrapped around my waist and her head on his lap so he could hold her. She would not pick out a toothbrush, so I picked her out a Diego one. He was very gentle and quiet and she made a crying sound, but no tears. He thought her teeth looked great, but that she had a pretty severe overbite (I”VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR MONTHS), that would definitely need braces and possibly surgery. Let’s hope she doesn’t have my teeth or lack of them (Problem 1), or my jaw structure (Problem 2). I don’t know if you can have normal teeth and my jaw structure, I thought it was all one genetic mutation. I was pleased she settled down, but he wasn’t impressed with her behavior. I THOUGHT HE SPECIALIZED IN SEEING CHILDREN!
The visit was over in like 5 minutes. I tried to tell him multiple times and ask questions about my jaw/teeth issues. He appeared to not care, and didn’t ask any questions. IT TICKED ME OFF! It is really relevant. Victoria stopped squirming when they showed her the prizes and even gave the cute male dental assistant a hug She was so relieved that was it. They didn’t clean her teeth with the brush and it still cost me $75. I’m now on the hunt for a new dentist for her.
The funny thing is that the next day she would walk up to kids at school or parents and shout “I went to the dentist” right at them!
4 comments:
Gosh, I know Christian needs to go to the dentist. I know it will be screaming the entire time--like screaming, gagging, throwing up kinda stuff. (I mean, the kid bawls his brains out just getting a quick haircut.) I just keep putting it off. Sounds to me like V did a pretty good job! I could only hope Christian does that well!
i'm happy to tell you who the kids go to...but they ran late, too (made me so mad). it was a fast visit, too. :(
honestly, who loves the dentist??
I've been thinking about this lately. Planning in my head when a good time to take him will be. I totally relate to your fears of her having similar issues as you. With my history, I worry about the same with Nugget.
I would be so frustrated too! Get referrals from other moms in your area.
Hopefully it goes better next time.
She really liked her first dental visit, huh? I know the feeling of bringing a kid to the dentist. When I brought my little angel for the first time, she was cried the whole time, even after we got home. The only good part about it was that her teeth were in great condition.
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