I HATE The Papoose but Don't Know What Else to Do...

All I know about this is that my cousin was asked to leave after getting her daughter in the chair and she just refused to. She said there's no way I'm leaving her and they let her stay with her daughter. I wonder if you say that you're not willing to leave him this time if they would give in or really send you to another provider? I have a hunch they'd let you back there. Or some other dentist will. I might want another opinion anyway. Seems like a lot of dental work done to me.

To be totally candid, I think you're getting screwed. Find a different dentist immediately. Cancel his appointment NOW! I saw a thing on one of the news shows about how places like that are not reputable AT ALL! They do tons of unnecessary dental work on kids and bill Medicaid or the insurance company. Several (Cool Smiles, Small Smiles) are under investigation and have had to be closed because of unethical practices. I would NEVER EVER leave my child alone with any doctor. NO WAY! It only takes a second for something bad to happen. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be allowed into the room. My daughter goes to a pediatric dentist and I was told by the doctor that he never sees patients alone. NEVER. Not even teenagers. I asked about the papoose and he said it was barbaric and there is no reason for a child to ever be restrained like that.

Get a new dentist, please? If you get this in time, reschedule NOW!

You have EVERY RIGHT to attend every medical/procedure for your child PERIOD -- you are his avocate and he cannot speak for himself. You have the right to be secure in your choice of practioners and their procedures.

I go to a GREAT dentist in Marietta -- Drs Ballard and Thornton a mile off Marietta Square. ###-###-#### They do everything but orthodontics.

Gone there 15 years now, and recommended to several families here at work -- all love them, and my kids do too. Both families at work have saved massive money and been pleased with the staff and hygenists, and they "plan" with you as well as work with you for the best thing for YOU.

Good luck:)

It's normal for family to be kept out of nearly all surgeries (c-sections being the only one that's not true for).

As far as restraints, MOST patients, regardless of age are restrained for surgery. The anesthesia doesn't actually completely disconnect the mind from the muscles, and coming out of the anesthesia patients can get unintentionally violent. Since you say he's being sedated... the restraints are a common sense precaution to keep him from jerking during the surgery and getting severely injured or killed. If, however, he's awake... just numb... that's STILL dangerous. Jerking with a scalpel or drill in or near your face because you get scared or angry is more than a little dangerous. As is whacking the surgeon while they're operating. Most adults can manage not to. Most kids don't have that level of self control.

Feel you on the teeth thing. My DH's family doesn't produce dentin correctly. Their babyteeth all turn to mush within about a year. Fortunately, they produce enamel just fine. In their family, it's so bad they just have all the babyteeth pulled as they begin to decay, and then start school late. Sometimes it's just a genetic thing. I was quite literally holding my breath when kiddo's teeth started coming in, crossing my fingers that they had dentin.

Good pediactric offices make the papoose non-traumatic. Snug as a bug in a rug! Alright give me a little wiggle... they turn it into a snuggly sort of thing rather than a straight jacket kind of thing.

I agree with the one right before me--My son doesn't go back without me ever, ever. We haven't heard of dentist doing it yet--but pediatric docs and priest have been trusted and abused children, what leaves the dentist out? Why can't you go back? My son would FREAK OUT if I were not back there. Just insane.
We have not had extensive work done as of yet, on his mouth but he loves his dentist and really enjoys going. if you're son gets upset maybe you need to find someone else. I take him to my dentist. He does awesome with kids as well as adults and we get our visits done all at the same time.
As for what we do with his teeth, he's 7, and he still is not allowed to brush his teeth alone. I stand and watch and then repeat after him at least once a day now. Our dentist and ped. told us a child can not brush their teeth alone until they can tie their shoes tightly and securely. Our pedi. said he's fine now, our dentist has said I should still be doing it at least once a day.
He brushes twice/day and more if we are eating sugary things. At preschool they were brushing them at lunch too, but regular school does not do that.
Also, my son has been sedated for other surgeries/procedures and I was allowed to be with him while they put him to sleep. In such cases, he was in an OR, with a team of people, and I felt ok leaving him alone with a team to observe.

I apologize I did not read your other posts-just throwing in some info and my opinion.
As far as the cavities and how they decayed that fast-u did not give much backround as if u ever took him and so forth-it can be many factors.
I worked in a pedo office for many years and I will give you some info
As far as the papoose and sedation it should have been written in a consent form when you filled out the paper work-also they should let you know if they used it or not when the treatment is done. I always did-I would take the kid out and let mom or dad know the child had a hard time or was a bit uncooperative and we had to use the papoose.It is for their safety so they are not reaching and grabbing while the Dr and staff are working.When you are working with kids thinhs have to go fast and smooth no time in trying to hold hands down and fixing things while working.As far as parents not being allowed in the room-most pediatric do this-we did and kids do much better without the parent in the room-what would happen if u were in the room and you passed out or something happened to you-Now the attention has to be on you-NOT THE PATIENT! It just benefits all better if parents are not there. All staff should be trained how to deal with any problem that arises and if there was a problem they should make u aware when they bring the child out to you. I HOPE THIS HELPED TO EASE SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS! L.:)

Sounds like you just need to trust the professionals. It's for his safety and theirs.

Our dentist told us that kids cavities may be the result of sugar added drinks, too much juice, fruit snacks or any "gummy" candy, and simply not brushing well enough.

Make sure you help your child and "check" his brushing by re-doing it EVERY time. Use fluorinated water and toothpaste. Save "treats" for dessert, after dinner, so that he's brushing almost immediately after having them.

If they get junk food, sugary cereals, juices, sodas, candy or gummy vitamins in the morning or at lunch the sugar gets trapped in their teeth and sits there all day. The sticky foods "catch" other foods and give bacteria more to thrive off of, especially in their molars.

Ask your pediatric dentist if your son's teeth should be sealed. This is a quick brushing on of a solution that dries almost instantly and will help fill microscopic holes in the teeth to help prevent future decay. They should be able to do this while he's already in the chair for this next procedure.

Also, ask about his using mouthwash. The dentist may even recommend a professional strength one. Your son may be "mouth breathing" at night, causing dry mouth. If this is the case, the bacteria are not "washed away" by salivia during the night. Increasing his chances of decay. There is a mouthwash sold over the counter to help with this issue.

Best of luck - I hope this helps in some way.

My daughter had some dental work done last year when she was 3, fillings and 2 teeth pulled. She freaked out. Cried, flailed, and had a complete freak out moment everytime we went. (it took 3 trips) We all tried to hold her, it was a awful experience for me. I cried on the way home. If he is knocked out and they are restraining him, it might be nessisary? I was always there with her though and it wasnt a actual surgery where she was knocked out. I just held her down while she cried and they put a thing in her mouth to keep it open. I would suggest getting another opinion for another pediatric dentist that you trust and feel comfortable with. Dr. Patty and his staff are really good. (Dr. Smithwick, he's up I-75). But they may also be doing you a favor by taking care of it the best they can and quickly, with him knocked out and you not having to see it and getting more upset? Good luck!

Is there something in particular you hate about the papoose? Is it the "strapping him down is cruel" issue? This might offer a small bit of perspective: My grandmother used to think my mom was cruel for strapping us into carseats when we were infants. ;)
If it were my child, first, I'd see a different dentist. Everyone is different, so just because a pediatric dentist specializes in kids doesn't mean he or she specializes in YOUR kid. There are all kinds of pediatric dentists, so maybe a change could be just what your son needs?
As a side note, have you looked into your routine and diet as a culprit for the cavities? Every exposure to sugar/refined carbs is a problem, and even seemingly-innocuous things like chewing vitamins before bed can cause a mess. Xylitol is another wonderful thing we just don't hear enough about these days. It competes with the harmful bacteria in the mouth and helps make cavities less likely. I've seen it in powder, toothpaste, rinse/mouthwash, and chewing gum forms. (Green Tea Spry gum is my favorite!)
HTH & your little guy has a better time of things next trip to the dentist!

A consent form to treat patient(which is you as a parent or legal gurdian must sign) is always before the procedure the procedure itself any sedation and use of a restraint if this applies to you that you have never been notified then call the office and ask why.I have always been notified of the procedure before and must consent to it this being my signature

Don't worry about the papoose. It's for his safety. My daughter had to have 7 cavaties filled. She was given a drink to make her relaxed and once she was woozy they laid her in the chair and strapped her in. It looks a lot worse than it actually is. Think about it. Would you rather your child be strapped safely in the papoose or would you rather him squirm around while the dentist is working on his mouth and he fall onto the cold, hard floor? He will be fine, I promise.

D.

It sounds like your dentist is related to Joseph Mengala. I would advise taking him to a nutritionally oriented chiropractor to find out what is CAUSING the decaying teeth. And NEVER return to that dentist. It is criminal what he is doing.

I have experienced this myself...I will get to my story later.
IF ANY DR. DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE IN THE ROOM WITH YOUR CHILD>>>>LEAVE!!
Unless they are having surgery done, I do not see any reason for this method to be used.
My 3 year old son's father took him to the dentist for a cavity. They scheduled the appt. BEFORE office hours. They had his father bring him back to the room, not explaining ANYTHING. Only telling him that he was not allowed to be back there. He sat in the waiting room for 25 minutes listening to the screams of his son.
I highly doubt that proper sedation was used. So, don't think that if they strap him to a board you will be avoiding sedation....they claim to have used BOTH methods.
My son had red strap marks on his wrists for 2 days afterwards...not to mention the horrible memory of his father delivering him to the table of torture.