Is a pediatric dentist really important for a child?

[bsnyder]

We've been lucky not to need a specialist, and none of my children has had a problem going to our family dentist. He's a childhood friend of mine, and I am Patient #00002 in their practice records, while my dad is Patient #00001!

My sister goes to a pediatric dentist (her middle child has a terrible problem with most doctors) and I know the difficulty in getting an appointment.

Am I the only one that actually likes going to the dentist? Granted, the most invasive things I've ever had done are a couple of fillings when I was a child, and a crown a few years ago, and I didn't necessarily like that, but I do like getting my teeth cleaned. In fact, I just went this morning, and my teeth feel so good!

 

[JCarangal]

All of these posts are really making me feel lucky. As I said in my previous post, we started going to a pediatric dentist when my DD flipped out at his first trip to the family dentist. Now, both of my children DS (5) and DD (3) go to the pediatric dentist. It is no more difficult to get an appointment there than it is at our family dentist, and parents are welcome to stay with their children.

As with everything in life, I think you need to find the arrangement that works best for you.

 

[Michelle]

As others have said, it depends on the dentist and the child.

My DD sees a pediatric dentist and she is HIGHLY PHOBIC of all things related to doctors. She has gone since she was three and just last week, at the age of NINE, she FINALLY got through her first teeth cleaning with no trauma. She finally figured out that it wasn't going to hurt. They have been EXTREMELY patient with her over the years and we've been very happy with them. She also has had no cavities, thankfully.

I have a FABULOUS general dentist and have in fact taken my DD to her as well for a second opinion regarding braces. She referred me to the orthodontist my DD sees, who has also been wonderful with my DD through all her pre-orthodontia work.

I don't think a pediatric dentist is a necessity for many children; the most important thing is that you are happy with the dentist and your child is happy there too.

Bet, you're NOT the only one, I love going to my dentist too. I've known her for nearly 20 years and I love the hygienist there too...it's more like a social visit than an appointment when I go for teeth cleaning.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Thanks everyone!

We have just moved to the area so are trying to find new Dr.'s. I would take DD to the Pediatric dentist if she did not need to be looked at right away.

I guess all we can do is try and see what happens.

Thanks Again!

 

[sha_lyn]

I will not use a ped dentist again. I've had a couple of bad experiences with them. 1st was when I was young. I must have been 8 or so and went in for a check up/cleaning. The ped noticed that one of my back baby teeth had a cavity. He asked my mother if he should pull it, fill it or make an appointment for me to come back. She told him to ask me what I wanted to do. he decided to pull it wiht out telling either one of us. He just said open up I need to look at your tooth. It wasn't an easy extraction either, and he used no meds at all. My face was so swollen that Icouldn't open my eye for a few days. After he pulled the tooth he handed it too me in a plastic treasure chest. I threw it at him and told him he would never touch me again. He never did. My mom never took me back to him, and found a family dentist for us.


The other story involved the ped dentist that we used for DS. They decided to close for some reason and didn't call us. They claimed they left a message at my work. Funny, since I'm a SAHM. Made an appointement that day with the dentist next door, whos receptionist was nice enough to let me use their phone to call the main number for the ped practice.

Now for our current dentist, well I have a few stories about her, but thats a different matter (just joking Dentchick if you're reading this, love ya sis)

 

[FleurdeLise]

It broke my heart when my kids outgrew their Ped Dentist...he and his staff were wonderful.

One of my kids had to have an appliance (with 'fake teeth) to replace bad baby teeth(until the permanent teeth came in) and was scared of even the ped dentist. This wonderful man cleaned his teeth while my son stood . Eventually he did get on the longe/chair thing.

The whole atmosphere of a ped dentist makes the trip to the dentist a 'fun" thing-there are lots of other kids around,games,toys,balloons.I highly recommend them.

 

[sha_lyn]

The whole atmosphere of a ped dentist makes the trip to the dentist a 'fun" thing-there are lots of other kids around,games,toys,balloons.I highly recommend them.

This certainly was not the case with the ped dentist that DS went to. No toys in the waiting room, plain white walls etc. No toys, games ballons etc there.
The one I went to had all the chairs in one huge room. I would often have to listen to other kids crying, screaming etc while Iwaited my turn in the assembly line of kids. By the time he got to me I was always a nervous wreck. Once I went to a family dentist, Icouldn't believe I could actually hear music playing, I could hear what the hygenist or assitant was saying etc. I think I scared them the first time because I was so relaxed I fell asleep.
Both ped dentist DS attended also had the assembly line set up, the first (in miss so no option to still go there) did have the toys, colorful chairs, toys etc.