Has Anyone Experienced the Papoose Board? Torture or Effective Restraint?

I would say tap into your mom gut and let it tell you. My 2 yr old (now 3) had to go in for an xray because they thought she had pneumonia. She was sick and miserable and the nurses worked so fast that she lost it. They were about to torture her with full restraints. But I KNEW she could calm down and hold still for the couple minutes. So I raised my voice and said "No, give me a minute to calm her down." They didn't want to because it took them more time. Tough! I made her look me straight in the eyes and said "Do you want to be strapped down." She sobbed "no." So I told her "OK, then you need to get control." We took some deep breaths and she got control (but we practice this technique almost everytime she is having a melt down so she can calm herself down in minutes if she wants to.). I had her look me straight in the eyes, praised her like heck, and told her to hold still. They took the xrays in minutes and she was snuggling in my arms again. Doctors and nurses may mean well, but many times they suggest something because it is easier for them, not best for our kids. We underestimate what our kids can do sometimes - we just need to teach them how to get calm and offer the alternatives if they can't. And perhaps offer a reward if they can. But you are right, she will NEVER want to go to the dentist again and it could be years before you get her to go in for an annual exam without major meltdowns. I might suggest first trying a different dentist - perhaps one that specializes in kids. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I had to repsond because I have been in your shoes. At the age of 2 to 3 my son had cavities in the top of his front 3 top teeth right along the gum line. We also had to have some dental work done to fix these problems. When looking for a dentist to do this work I had been warned that some dentists use this type of restraint and was totally against it. I agreed with you in the fact that I didn't want my child to be scared of the dentist forever. So I specifically found someone that would fill these teeth with no restraints. The dentist recommended that we have my son some medication to relax him before coming to the office. Medication was to be given approx. 1 hour before the visit which was an hour drive. The medication worked great for the ride, my son slept the whole way but didn't really help in the dentist office. Once we were in the Dr. office is was like he had no medication at all. The dentist tried to fill his cavities but my son was so wiggly that it wasn't real successful. The fillings that the dentist did fill were successful fell out later on. After 2 or 3 visits I knew we couldn't continue on this route so I searched for a new dentist. I did go with a children's dentist that recommended sedation. I was like you and was very very leary of the sedation. But the pros out weighed the cons so we went with it. The thing that actually got me was that all the work would be done in one visit. We didn't need to keep going back and back and back. We did the surgery and all went wonderfully and my son actually enjoys going to the dentist now. I believe that it is because the sedation and surgery where done at the hosptial not the dentist office so my son doesn't connect the two. He knows his teeth were worked on at the hospital but know that the dentist office is where they just clean your teeth so he is not really afaird anymore. Hope this helps and you find the right thing for your family.

My daughter had fillings at age3 and we didn't use a papoose board or sedation. We did regular novacaine shots in the mouth and laughing gas. My daughter is a horrible dental patient and we've had decent experiances. We see a pediatric dentist maybe that's why. I don't think I would let someone pappose my daughter or sedate her for a filling that seems extreme. We have done the pappose board in the ER when she needed stiches but that's a different situation.

S.,
When our son was 3 we noticed a spot on his front tooth. He had been coming with me to the dentist when i went and was comfortable with the hygenist. His real appt. was scheduled a month away they took xrays while i was in for an appt. He was really squirmy with the dentist (who has a son the same age) and our dentist said it would be best to see a pediatric dentist. They were wonderful! The whole office was geared to children. For our initial visit we watched a cute video and a had a tour then it was time for me to go back to the grown up room. He was a little nervous at first but did fine. They took more xrays and did an exam. When it was time to take care of the problems it was done by section. he had decay in the back on top and bottom and right in the front. They did use nitrous but only a small amount. I too was a little anxious about it but when looking at alternatives (strapping him down) the nitrous seemed like a better choice. He was only out for about 15minutes (maybe less...it was a few years ago). We had 4 appts. to take care of the decay. You might try to find a pediatric dentist in your area. It can be difficult. They have to go to school for a couple more years after regular dental school in order to get the pediatric certification. We live in the UP of Michigan and there aren't any up here. I finally found one in Wausau Wisconsin but haven't been there yet. Our kindergarten teacher says they are very good though.

Absolutely AVOID the papoose board. Here's what they DON'T tell you...a child can actually MOVE the papoose board while restrained. I know this, because at SIX months, my daughter did. I was on that like stink on s***. The dr used one without my knowledge. (ex-husband gave permisssion) When I walked in the room she was screaming and two nurses AND my ex were holding down the board saying, "Gee. Isn't she a strong one?" WEll, you can guess what happened next!! The procedure was stopped before it started and I took my precious one to a children's specialty clinic. And I don't care what they say, to this day she is terrified of anything that looks like a hospital. Don't mean to scare you, really, I don't. I just wish she didn't have to go through that and wouldn't wish it on anyone's child!! You never know how the child will react until it's actually happening, and then the damage is already done. Please see a CHILDREN's specialist, and listen to these other great moms.
Just Me!

I can't imagine restraining a 3 year old at the dentist is a good thing, although I don't have personal experience with it. My 4 year old son had to be sedated to have 2 teeth extracted due to an accident at school. Our dentist *could* have pulled them in the office, but refused because it would be so traumatic to him.

Sedation isn't something I jumped up & down to have done, but it has saved us from abject fear of the dentist & that's absolutely priceless. Plus, our kiddo was only out for a short time & came out of the sedation with absolutely zero ill effects.

Good luck!

Hi S.-
I'd recommend the nitro gas. My girls see a children's dentist in Eagan and both my oldest and middle child have had to have dental work (fillings and tooth extractions). The gas works great. The kids get to pick out a DVD to watch and wear a "piggy nose." When the procedure is over, the dentist switches the gas to oxygen to clean out any side-effects of the gas. She also tells them positive things as they are coming out of the gas. My girls have had great experiences and actually enjoy the dentist!!! They love the individual attention and the ability to choose their own movie with no other sisters making demands.

I chose this route with my girls because I was a child that was restrained on a papoose board to have my teeth extracted. I was tramatized. I hated the dentist and doctors until I was much older (20s). I also have a phobia for small enclosed places that still hasn't gone away.

Hi S.! I was restrained on a papoose board when I was a young child to get stitches in my leg. I am now 43 and this was 37 years ago. I can remember every single detail and it was one of the most horrible things I have ever felt. I have 2 boys and I would explore every other option before I agreed to this. I believe this is a torture device and I hope you can come up with a better resolution for your daughter. Good luck to you!

When my daughter was 15 months old, she had to have her tongue clipped at the dentist's office. They used the pappoose board on her and numbed the area so that she would feel no pain. My husband who was helping to restrain her is clausterphobic, and he said that between the board and what they were having to do in her mouth, that would probably freak him out as an adult.

She continued to scream for the full duration of the procedure and fought against the board, and had bruises on her back from it.

I am very glad that we had the procedure done. It was in her best interest, but the board was very traumatic for her and us both. However, between the board and the sedation it might be the lesser of two evils. I guess you just have to decide what you will have the harder time living with.

Hi S., my 4 year old just had three fillings at a ped. dentist. She had much anxiety by the third visit. I allowed them to strap her up and i regret it-- big time! I am glad that you have a chance to think about it. I felt helpless and wasn't sure in that moment what was best. She had just 30 seconds of dental work left but had had enough. I didn't really even have a chance to think about it. She was in for probably only a minute. She hated it. I hated it. And I will never allow it to happen again. I am still mad at myself for allowing it to happen. I really like the idea of holding your child while they have the work done. Wish i would have done so. Good luck. I will be thinking of you and your child as you make this tough decision.

I would be very nervous about using sedation unless absolutely needed for children. I think looking around for a good pediatric dentist is your best bet.
As for the papoose board, I think it is only torture if you make it that way. If you can be there with your daughter and are not freaking out yourself, that will make a big difference. I work in a lab where we draw blood from children (definitely not as involved as getting fillings, but a scary thing for kids nonetheless), and our usual protocol is to not use the papoose, and just have mom or dad hold the child down on a bed while one of us holds their arm in place and the other draws the blood. I can tell you that the parents always make the biggest difference in whether or not the child has a good or bad experience. If you're not freaked out and can distract or comfort your child, it almost always goes smoothly. We do have some parents that actually request a papoose board, and that works for them. They also are right there with the child, touching their chest and face, soothing them.

Oh my god. Go to another dentist. That is crazy talk. There are pediatric dentists all over the place these days. There are so many other options out there: "conscious sedation", laughing gas, putting her out.

Also, you don't mention how many teeth are affected, but if it was just one or two, why not pull them? Filling baby teeth seems like a scam to me, unless she has several that are decayed.

I've never been restrained for any dental/medical work, but let me tell you, I'm terrified of the dentist enough as it is, and I'm nearly 30. I, too, hate the idea of sedation for little ones, but I think the papoose board would be a lasting scar. I haven't been to a dentist in nearly five years out of fear and anxiety, and I have severe dental work that needs to be done (to the tune of $7000). As much as I hate to even suggest it, I would personally choose minor sedation over the papoose board, but that is just what I would choose for my children so they wouldn't grow up with the same fear I've battled for so long. You're in such a tough spot. :( I'll keep you and your daughter in my prayers that everything goes well.

I worked in a dental office after going to college for Dental Assisting. When working in the dental office we had never needed to use papoose board. Now, if the dentist felt it would benefit the child to go to a pediatric dentist we would do this. BUT under rare situations. There are many different options that you have.
1. If your dentist is not a pediatric dentist then find one, they are better equipped for children and are more comfortable dealing them.
2. Get a second opinion, if you are that uncomfortable there are other dentist out there that may do things differently.
3. Ask what other options are there, that you really don't feel comfortable about doing this.
4. Ask about laughing gas, we did use this in the office to relax the child/adult and it always worked. The child is still able to talk to us but rarely remembers much of the appointment, the children are usually so relaxed that you didn't need to use the papoose board.
5. Getting medication before coming into the office this will work similar to the laughing gas.

I will agree with you that if they really need to use a papoose board they need to make sure that this is NOT a negative experience for your child, personally I would not let them do this unless they used laughing gas, where your daughter would not remember much of the appointment and she would care less if they put it on her after she received the laughing gas. I would not want my child to be fearful of the dentist for the rest of her life. There are too many different options for the dentist to consider, and you pay him so if he can't work something out with you to make this as pleasant as possible then I would say go see some one else. Good Luck and remember one thing, mom's hate to see there children go through things like this but believe me it is not as bad as you may think. I loved working with the little ones and I could get them to do just about anything because I was able to get them to trust me, kids truthfully handled alot of things much better than adults did. Take Care let me know if you have any further questions.
S.

I would agree with those who said not to use the papoose board. I work in the ER and we do need to use the boards at times for things like sutures. We try not to use them if we don't have to because the kids hate them. Especially in a dental situation where the child will have to keep going to the dentist, I wouldn't want one of her first experiences there being frightening. I would either recommend a pediatric dentist or sedation if you would like to stay with you current dentist. I don't know what the use for the sedation but it is a very safe procedure and she won't remember a thing.

No way I would restrain my child like that. If it came down to it, I would use sedation. yes, there are risks, but they are very minimal and very uncommon. My 3yr old has been sedated twice, once for stitches in his head (30 stitches total, and I wasn't about to hold him down for something that was being sewn up on his head, so they sedated him) and just af ew weeks ago for an MRI. Again he wouldn't have sat still, and he has no reaction to the sedation at all.

I would never use the papoose board.

Our 11 yr old son has severe anxiety issues with the dental visits. We were referred to our Children's Hospital specialty clinic, where they have specialists who deal with this type of thing. They see all kinds of kids: CP, DS, Autism spectrum, anxiety, etc. It's been our 3rd visit there, and it's great. He no longer fears going. I thnk this route is so much better than the use of force and the trauma of apprehension when your DD realizes it's time for a dental visit.

I agree with both you and the reponse left already. We had a friend whose son needed a tooth pulled and the first dentist they went to suggested this restraint. She didn't like it and ended up using sedation at Small World Children's Dentistry in Brookfield. I've never been but their website is www.SmallWorldDDS.com. Just in case this is closer to you.
Good Luck!

I don't like the idea of her being restrained. It would traumatize me and I am not a child. Do research, etc. Does your child see a pediatric dentist or a regular one? Pediatric dentis have a little bit of different training to deal with squirmy little ones. Were you in the room with her? My children go in alone to their dentist. They behave better when I am not there.

Really, this is a personal choice that only you/your family can make. It sounds terrible but I work at a group home and some of my ladies I work with have to do something like that. You need to outway the pros and cons. There is always a risk with putting your child under. There may be lasting effects of using that board as well. You need to outway them. Have you got a second opinion?? Maybe called around and asked what other pediatric dentists suggest??

Tough decision and I can't say I would know what to choose either. Good Luck

I know you have a lot of good responses already but I want to second, third and fourth the motion NOT to restrain her, please, please. I had to restrain my 4 year old when he had to have stitches in his forehead (sedation was not given as an option to us so they only numbed the area) It took 2 large men (my husband and a LARGE orderly) to hold him down as well as me to hold his feet. They didn't even mention something like a papoose board altho I don't know if I could have watched that either. He kept saying to the orderly "please, please mister, why are you doing this?" I can't even type this story without crying...I will never as long as I live get over what it did to me...and my husband, he was bawling too. I know in certain instances sometimes you just have to but there are some really great pediatric dentists who are specifically trained to deal with children and get them to cooperate without restraint. Please look for someone who will at least attempt without restraint, just as much for you are your child. I am totally not a "med-friendly" person but sometimes there is good reason for sedation, this may be one of them.
Good luck
K.

My daughter had the same dental problems, although hers was caused by acid reflux from birth. My childrens' dentist is the same one I had when I was their ages (7 and 2), so I absolutely love him and remember nothing but great memories with him!! When he told us that our daughter would need to have caps put on her teeth, due to grinding them down, and that he would have to sedate her and put her in a papoose, I freaked out something fierce!!! I made my fiance stay home from work that day so he could go with us to the appt., and we took our daughter in. We were brought into the office, and told how everything was going to happen during the visit. Our daughter was given a small dose of liquid Valium, along with a juice box to wash it down, then we had to go back to the waiting room to wait for the Valium to kick in. Our daughter started looking like she was going to fall down, once the valium kicked in, and then it was time for her to have her dental work done. The nurse came out to get her, and told us that we would have to wait until they got her in the papoose, so she wouldnt freak out and want mommy and daddy. After about 10 minutes, they finally brought us to the back, and we were able to look into the room through a window with blinds on it, so we could see in, but our daughter could not see us. By then, I had started crying, (which I did every time she got shots, or anything that would put her in pain) until I actually looked into the room and saw that my baby girl (she was 4 at the time) was lying in what looked like a sleeping bag, laughing and smiling at a story the nurse was telling her!!! She was still smiling when the dentist came in, did what he needed to do, and she was still smiling when she was let out of the papoose/sleeping bag. All in all, I was the only one that was upset by the entire visit!! My daughter had a blast and wanted to do it all over again the next day!!!

At 3 yrs old I would think that'd be more than a little traumatizing for her. My son used a papoose board to hold him still while he had a birthmark removed, but he was only a yr old and has no memory of it.

I don't know if this will do any good but try having you NOT go back with her when she's getting her teeth worked on. That's what our pediatric dentist does and it works.

I'm actually suprised at how many would sedate. It's rare, but sedation can be dangerous. We had a great pediatric dentist, and although they didn't have to use the papoose, I understand why they would rather go that route, rather than sedating a child. I agree with the previous post that how the parent is reacting can have a huge effect on how the child will deal with the situation. It's a tough choice! Good luck!

Using a papoose board is very frightening for children. She will definately be afraid of the dentist from then on. I highly recommend sedation- she will not remember the procedure and hopefully as she gets older will learn to like the dentist. My child has needed several medical procedures- he is also 3 yrs old. He remembers the pain and continues to be scared. With the last procedure, we had him sedated and he did much better.

Good luck.

S.-
Don't know where you live, but all my inlaws live in Elk River and have a practice- great with kids! And no- I don't think they would recommend that or feel it necessary. One of my twins has deep grooves in baby teeth and had 2 fillings- they didn't even use novicaine just topical- usually they are surface and just need to get by til can put on fillers at 6yo.
I'd get a second opinion personally. None of the kids at their office are fearful when coming. ( know this as they have a party room in basement so go there for more than dentist functions)
If you want more info, it's Elk Dental but feel free to email too
____@____.com

About me 48 yo med prof, wellness coach, mom to 7 yo twingirls

B. J

I've never used it, but think that it would have to be the last resort. If it were my daughter I would have the Doc put her under for the short time it will take to take care of business. Being strapped to a board would freak me out...

When my oldest was 1 and 1/2 he was bitten by my aunts dog in the face. He had to have a plastic surgeon put him under for stitches in a lot of areas. Some were the disolvable ones, but some had to be taken out by him in his office three days latter to prevent scarring. He was put in the restraint and was scared to death, but no issues of fear in this boy after that of anything. I think kids are pretty resilient and she'll forget about it pretty quickly after.
Where do you take her? My daughter has a cavity, and the dentist office tried some gas to make her loopy and relax, but she was still too scared and moving to much for them to do anything. He said the next step is sedation, but we are going to have to pay $438 for it! Way too much in my opinion. Especially since she is having no problems or pain right now. I want to just wait and see if she'll sit better in a few months as she gets a little older, or have her be restrained. May sound harsh, but I know she'd get over it, and we really can't afford to spend that much on something that is not even hurting her right now. I might add she is a big three year old so I don't even know if the papoose is an option for her size. If you could let me know where you go that would be great. THanks!

My daughter had a papoose board to have IV's put in at Children's Hospital ER in Milwaukee. It was the only way they could get it, and still had to hold her down because even at 1 1/2 years she was strong. She finally relaxed and they did what they needed to by having us leave and talking gently to her with a movie playing. She actually fell asleep and the only meds they gave her was to dumb her injured area. She did not remember anything, but she was young. But as soon as she turned 3, she hated going to the doctor and dentist...

We have not experienced the papoose board, but our son (at age 5) had two cavities filled. They did one at a time at our regular dentist. The first time he cried the whole time and he was figity. The dentist said they would start and see if he could sit, other wise she would refer us to a pediatric dentist. My suggestion would be to try a pediatric dentist... they have many different ways of dealing with children and they work with them all the time. And maybe they have other forms of "restraint" that wouldn't necessarily scare her (which I think being strapped down would).
Good luck!

I never experienced a papoose board at the dentist, but I DO however remember being restrained when I was in second grade (8yrs old?). I have that ingrained into my memory... I had my chin held (mouth closed), hands/arms and feet/legs held, so that I wouldn't spit out the mold to have a retainer made (I spit out the first one). It has taken a LONG time to get comfortable going to the dentist... I would rather go to the OBGYN for my yearly physical! As a child, I hid behind the waiting room chairs when I had an appointment. My parents had to reward me if I was good. I wonder if that experience had affected my feelings about the dentist. This has been almost 30 yrs ago and I still can picture my going through this... and have never forgotten. I would highly recommend NOT having your daughter in this restraint. It could scar her... she is already afraid. Because of my experience, I try to make the dentist thing something cool for my son. I make it a big deal when he is good and explain anything he wants to know as simple as I can. He has no issues going, which is a big sigh for me. If you want to talk, feel free to send me a message.

Good luck with her fillings,
~SR

Hi S. My name is L. Conzemius. I am from Breckenridge Mn. As I was reading your post, I thought I myself had wrote it!!!! I went through this with MY daughter at age 3 and im tellin ya DONT DONT DONT Do it!!!!! Either sedate her or use laughing gass if possible!!! It did NOT make things better for her AT ALL! She SCREAMED the whole time and kept asking me "why are you letting them do this to me Mommy?" They didnt even warn her that they were going to do this method,OR SHOW her how it worked- they just did it, then had the audacity to charge me $50 for "Pycological intervention" I was NOT happy and it just made things worse for future dentist visits.We have since switched dentists. My DD is almost 6 now and is STILL terrified to go to the dentist cuz she thinks they are going to do bad mean things to her. I have sat down and explained to her many times that I would NEVER take her back to that dentist and the dentist we see now is a very nice lady, but she is still sqeemish until its all over and she realizes that I wasnt lying to her. DONt beat yourself up about this! My daughter is VERY good about brushing her teeth and has a lot of trouble with cavities. I think its hereditary cuz my hubby had bad teeth growing up too. My advice as I sad before though would be to find a different dentist if they INSIST that the board is the only way to take care of this. Its not. AND if the dentist is ANY good with kids they will use HUMOR to get the kids to comply NOT discipline! The "bad doc" actually scolded my dd RIGHT in front of me when she flipped out over being strapped down! Good luck!!! PS If you want any more insight to my experience with this you are MORE than welcome to e-mail me!
Love L.

I had to be strapped down to a papoose board to get stitches when I was a little younger than your daughter and I can still remember how horrible it felt. All I wanted to do was to be able to hold my mom's hand and it was just torture. I'm now 27 and the experience is still with me.

Hi S.,
Unfortunately, I was not given the choice. I found out AFTER it was done that a dentist on the south side of milwaukee had used this on my son. I was furious. He was so traumatized. In my opionion, it is torture. I know sedation is scary, but it beats instilling a life long fear of the dentist.
We go to Progressive Pediatric Dentists in Oak Creek. They can pre-medicate kids and they have nitro available as well.
I know in cases where there are many teeth to work on it can be done under sedation at Children's Hospital.
To me, to think about it from a 3 year olds point of view, it would be very frightening. And, in my opinion, we expect too much of very young children when it comes time to things like this.
Good luck in your decision..... I know that either way, it will be difficult.
D

my oldest 18 now had the papoose bosrd at age 2 1/2 and I would not recommend it. She was so frightened of the dentist after that that we actually had to have her go to the hospital to be sedated at age 5 to get some dental work done. She then was seen at black hills peds dentist and I also have taken my 2 younger children since age 2 to black hills pediatric dentistry and have had no problems with teeth work. Good Luck.

My stepson has had to use one multiple times due to stitches. He freaks out while it is going on but in the end he is over it. He had it done for the first time when he was 1 and to this day he doesn't really even remember it an he is 11.

Hi S.
My daughter is six and had her first fillings when she was 3 we used a type of sedation that didn't really knock her out but relaxed her. You go to the appoinment 15 minutes early she drinks this what they call juice and goes to play well she then started to get a little sleepy so she came over and sat on my lap went back with dentist and does not remeber it except that her mouth was numb and she hated that. good luck in your decision. T.