Dentist threatened to restrain my child

I took my daughter in for her first dental appointment. She’d been to see my appointments and was very excited about going for her own appointment. She was thrilled when  she saw they have baby dolls in the waiting room.  She was playing with them when they called her name to go back. She didn’t want to give up the baby doll and threw a little bit of a fit, but did eventually give up the doll.  However, when we went back to the room they told me that because of her temperment they would have to either sedate or restrain her. They didn’t even try to work with her and she had calmed down by then. We left immediately. I’m wondering if this is common practice with pediatric dentists?

Hannah I. – Portland, OR

Hannah,

It is a fairly common practice for pediatric dentists to have restraints, however, they are generally used as a last resort and for treatments other than just general check up appointments.

Your hygienist and/or dentist should have at least attempted to see how your daughter would do on her appointment. They should also have done some fun things to give her a chance to adjust.

I’m glad you left. You always want your child’s first appointment to be a pleasant one and what they had planned would have been traumatic.  My suggestion is for you to find a different pediatric dentist.  There are also family dentists who treat children than can serve as a pediatric dentist as well.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck