My son has a cavity (confirmed by our family dentist) that needs to be filled. I have 2 questions...
1. Will the dentist actually drill? I remember my dentist picking (no drill unti I was older - but that was in the '70s).
2. I've been told that the practice of the pediatric dentristy office is NO PARENTS ALLOWED - and after searching the web and reading old mamasource posts, I'm finding that's the norm. I'm uncomfortable about this. We do have a meet and greet set up with the dentist BEFORE the cavity is filled (Dr. Cissy Furusho who comes recommended by both our family dentist and pediatrician). Are there any pediatric dentists out there who let parents stay in the room?
Chase has been through over 20 various doctors/therapists and we've always gone in with him. He'll probably be fine, but I don't think I'll be. Any help Moms?
OK - after reading all of your posts and talking to a bunch of friends, I just had to go with my gut. As wonderful as the one dentist might be, I just couldn't get comfortable with the idea of having him go by himself. He's great when I leave him at school or with babysitters, but I'm not ready for him to being seeing doctors alone!
We went to Pine Dental today and saw a wonderful dentist - Dr. Richardson. My husband & I were BOTH able to accompany our son - who loved it and can't wait to return in a few weeks. He may not even need to have the cavity filled - we're discussing several options (sealants, etc). It was such a positive experience for all. She was so kid-friendly, but also answered all of my questions and asked a bunch of her own to just get the whole picture. I would heartily recommend this practice to others!
Thanks again for all of your great advice!
I have never heard of that either. My son(sadly) needed a bit of dental work done when he was young and I was with him all the time. I can recommend an excellent pediatric dentist in downtown Chicago-Joanne Kromash Oppenheim, Pediatric Dental Assoc. on Michigan Ave. I think you may be right about the drilling but it may depend on the cavity, etc. Good luck! (I see another poster recommended her as well)
Dr. Andrea Lederman in Skokie (Old Orchard Mall) allows parents to go in the rooms with their children. The rooms are big & they have a chair just for parents to sit. They also have a TV above the dentist chair for the kids to watch while they have work done to their teeth. Her # is ###-###-####
I would talk to the dentist. We go to a dental office in Cicero and their rule is no parents for kids over 4 BUT after the exam they call the parent in to let them know how it went. If there is a cavity, the parent and child can stay or not. My daughter had a tiny cavity some time ago and my husband said they used some kind of brush or something--no drill. I think it depends on how bad it is.
Hi-
We've had 2 different pediatric dentists, and we have been allowed in the room for both! My daughter had 2 cavities filled when she was about 3, and my husband was allowed in the whole time. In fact, it's only recently that my kids (now 5 and 7) have sat in the chair by themselves. up until about 4, both of them sat/laid on my husband or myself in order to have their teeth done.
If you're not comfortable with this, find another pediatric dentist; there are plenty out there who expect parents to be right there, especially when a child is so young!
Go to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry web site - www.aapd.org. The have a parent FAQ section. If you're nervous and voice your fears, that will totally rub off on your son. Play it cool and don't even mention that there is anything to be afraid of. Dr. Mary Tierney at Western and Lawerence is great.
1. Yes, she will use a drill most likely. Depending on the size and location of the cavity, she may be able to use air abrasion, but I doubt it.
2. If a dentist asks the parent to stay out of the room, it's because the child does way better 99% of the time. I can't tell you how many times a well-meaning parent has completely over-stepped boundaries during an appointment. I once had a father tell his son that if I hurt him, he would beat me up. Until that point, the kid had no clue anything would even qualify as being painful. Not to mention the fact that it was beyond insulting and inappropriate. Kids will also behave better when parents aren't around. I know this from experience with my own children.
I think you will be just fine with Dr. Furusho.
Toothfairy World on Clybourn always lets parents in the room. They have a place for parents and sibs to sit, actually--little stools at the end of the chair. And there's videos playing overhead to preoccupy the kids while the dentist is working. We see Dr. Vitiello and she's always been super with my girls. Here's the info:
Tooth Fairy World
2069 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago
###-###-####
Good luck!
my 4 year old goes to the same dentist i go to. when he needed to have his cavities filled the question of me NOT being in the room never came up. i definitely felt much more comfortable in room with him and so did my son. fyi...elmhurst dental and dr hirsch if you decide to look into it. i think he also goes to their other locations in bloomingdale and carol stream. good luck!
Dr. Simon in Evanston is AMAZING; she will let you stay in the room. She's kind with the kids and gets the job done. She's part of the Northshore Dentistry for Kids with Dr. Fippinger. She's on Sherman. I don't have the number nearby, but that should be enough info for you to find her.
Oh, the cavity will need drilled :-(
Hi N.
We go to Brushin on Belmont (Damen) Dr. Govanni, My Daughter will be 5 in August she has never had a cavitiy however has had her teeth cleaned with me in the room several times. Not sure what the protocol is for cavities but you may want to call and see. I would not be comfortable not being in the room with my Daughter either.
Good Luck
V.
We go to Dr. Joanne Oppenheim downtown and it has always been up to the kid/parent whether we join in the room or not. Our last visit was the first time my daughter went in by herself - her choice. I do agree with the one poster that said parents can sometimes make it worse...but as long as you don't voice your fears, the kid usually doesn't have any.
Hi N.,
I am not sure where you are but check with Dr. Nancy at Pine Dental in Chicago. She is an amazing pediatric dentist. I live in Clarendon Hills now, and still take my kids to her...she is awesome!!! Good luck!
My pediatric dentist has always allowed me to sit with my children for every single procedure -- and we've had quite a few between the 3 kids! Her name is Dr. Andrea Lederman and she is in the Old Orchard Mall professional building. She is a mom of 3 kids and all her staff are moms. Wonderful, warm group.
I've been to two pediatric dentists. Both allowed me in the room. I've never heard such a thing and think that's crazy. One of the dentists moved to Milwaukee - so that's not an option. But the other were with the Grove Dental group. I found that the dental assistants/hygenists were nice, friendly and terrific. The one pediatric dentist I saw there (location on Main in Downers) whose name I don't recall (female) was good but TERRIBLE bedside manner. Still, the hygenists and the office staff made up for it a 100 times over. Everyone was very loving and nice. And Yes - I could stay in the room. My daughter has not needed a cavity filled; however, she did get x-rays and I remained. Give them a call.
Most children act more frightened when Mom is around and that is why they don't allow children in the room. Even when my son is not at the dentist and when we are home he acts co-dependent
