Comments on Warm Chocolate Milk: Letter to My (old) Dentist

This breaks my heart...first because poor Weston w...

2009-11-23T09:20:06.915-08:00

This breaks my heart...first because poor Weston was treated so horribly and secondly because you think you are to blame. No, no, no! This horrid dentist is to blame for being so insensitive and MEAN. I would suggest sending this letter to HIM. Reading it perhaps he'll know the trauma he caused your son and think about his actions before treating a small child so callously! Dentists are scary for well-veteraned ADULTS. Some tact and professionalism was certainly called for in this situation and HE failed YOU (and WESTON!) miserably!

DId I miss something? Is this guy used to dealing ...

2009-11-23T07:49:00.823-08:00

DId I miss something? Is this guy used to dealing with kids? We take our kids to a pediadontist (sp?), who cleans ONLY kids' teeth, so he's very accustomed to dealing with this kind of thing.

I took my kids at 3, and you know what? They weren't really ready. But I wanted to take them because it's important. And the dentist was great, as were his assistants. Although the girls didn't get a thorough cleaning, they were allowed to examine and inspect all the gadgets and tools. They told me the 1st visit at 3 is mostly about getting them comfortable with everything and not so much the cleaning part. We had a few tears, but no one forced anything on them. They left with goodie bags full of little toys, stickers, and kiddie toothbrushes & paste. Did this guy do any of that? He may have been great with you when you were a teen, but kids are soooo different.

By my kids' 2nd visit, they were all about it, and they thought they were DA BOMB to be going to get their teeth cleaned. Much to my surprise at 3 1/2, they each allowed the dental assistants to clean their teeth and the dentist to examine them afterwards. It was a very positive experience for all of us...
I'm so sorry it wasn't the same for you, but I'd say you need a new dentist---maybe ask around for recs for pediatric dentists/pediadontists, however you spell it.

I'm so sorry this happened, Susan! Don't blame yourself. You didn't do anything wrong!

You do NOT suck! You were doing what you thought ...

2009-11-20T06:26:40.093-08:00

You do NOT suck! You were doing what you thought was best based on what you experienced. There is NO WAY you could have known the changes that happened to the Dentist over time.

Give Wes time and you will be able to get him back to the Dentist, one that will cater to him and the fears crated by the LOOSER!

No, not a pediatric Dentist and actually a "she".....

2009-11-19T20:28:15.377-08:00

No, not a pediatric Dentist and actually a "she"...but it was not obvious from my post. Sorry.

That is absolutely horrendous. Was he a pediatric ...

2009-11-19T20:02:55.682-08:00

That is absolutely horrendous. Was he a pediatric dentist or just a dentist? Pediatric dentists have been wonderful in my experience.

I'm so sorry!

Everyone else's comments sum up my feelings (outra...

2009-11-19T19:28:49.062-08:00

Everyone else's comments sum up my feelings (outrage, sadness, sympathy, etc). I would like to encourage you to write a letter to your local newspaper about the treatment you received. Other parents will thank you!

This is not your fault. I'm amazed at how complete...

2009-11-19T18:50:25.347-08:00

This is not your fault. I'm amazed at how completely insensitive and unprofessional that dentist was. I had a similar experience with my oldest. I took him to a dentist I picked from a list that took our insurance (after I'd put it off until he was older). His first experience with the dentist was to fix a chipped tooth he got when he was learning to ride a bike. It was awful for him - I stopped going to that dentist and didn't take him back to one for four more years! That's right, my son is now nine and just went to the dentist again last week.

This time we went to a pediatric, and I was completely amazed at how well they treated him. I also took my younger son to this dentist for the first time at age 5 and he had a very positive experience. I have hope that my older son will let go of some of his fear. A pediatric dentist will make a difference and will help so much with Weston's fear. You did your best, because you had had a great experience with that dentist. It's not your fault.

Wow wow wow wow wow. I am so angry for you. I gu...

2009-11-19T17:43:31.141-08:00

Wow wow wow wow wow. I am so angry for you. I guess you can try to explain that you will go to a nicer dentist next time.

I am like you and I am not good at getting my children in. My three year old has an obvious cavity and I am scared about it. Because of all the bad dentist experiences I have had.

I think you should write him a letter. How dare he make this about you. Maybe he had a bad day or something...but still.

I have tears streaming down my face for you right ...

2009-11-19T17:26:55.801-08:00

I have tears streaming down my face for you right now. Seriously.
I hate hate hate the dentist, and just two days ago realized I have to go and will probably have to have some work done.. and the thought of it makes me ill.
I am so sorry that you and your son (and your mom!) had that experience. There is no reason for any professional to treat a child that way. I'm so sorry :( Hugs!!

This is not your fault. Call and find you a good d...

2009-11-19T17:17:12.944-08:00

This is not your fault. Call and find you a good dentist that hasn't gotten hard over the years. Visit this dentist before you take him in and make sure that they are aware of what happened the last time.Plenty fo pediatric dentists out there.
He will eventually come around again.

I'm so so sorry! You have nothing to feel bad abou...

2009-11-19T17:14:01.705-08:00

I'm so so sorry! You have nothing to feel bad about...HE was completely wrong. Most dentists will never examine a child that seems even mildly uncomfortable. They usually talk a lot, open their mouth, try out the water, and see if the child is ready for more. I'm appalled! I'm so glad your mom stood up for him. Makes me MAD! Holly

Hi Susan, Evan had some cavities and our family de...

2009-11-19T17:02:46.634-08:00

Hi Susan,
Evan had some cavities and our family dentist saw that Evan was getting upset so he stopped the visit and suggested that Evan go to a Pediatric dentist. We took that advice (Metropolitan Pediatric Dentist). They have 2 (maybe more?)locations - N. Oaks and St. Paul and we've been to both (due to our days off from work) and it was good. It is not perfect as the kids might see other kids upset but they give laughing gas (we ALWAYS had it as kids) if the kids need it and Evan doesn't mind going to the dentist. Hope this suggestion helps. You'll have to post an update. . . :)

Oh, you poor thing! What a terrible ordeal! That d...

2009-11-19T16:16:20.361-08:00

Oh, you poor thing! What a terrible ordeal! That dentist should be ashamed for speaking that way to a child. Keep looking for an understanding dentist and tell them beforehand about this experience so they can do damage control.

It's not your fault! That dentist sounds horrible...

2009-11-19T16:10:00.334-08:00

It's not your fault! That dentist sounds horrible. He must have gone through some stuff since you saw him last!

They go to the dentist at 3?? I am quite certain I was like 10! But that was in the dark ages....

Not your fault at all. If they are not prepared t...

2009-11-19T15:49:07.448-08:00

Not your fault at all. If they are not prepared to handle those situations, they shouldn't see children. Poor baby boy... We had a similar negative experience. A pedi dentist makes a world of difference. (((hugs to you)))

That is horrible! I, too, haven't taken my kids to...

2009-11-19T15:43:43.999-08:00

That is horrible! I, too, haven't taken my kids to the dentist yet- and my oldest is about to turn 5. I will freak out if we have an experience like that.

You don't suck, but that dentist could probably us...

2009-11-19T15:38:34.715-08:00

You don't suck, but that dentist could probably use a few lessons in 'nice'. Sorry. :(

You DO NOT SUCK. That dentist sucks. You did your ...

2009-11-19T15:16:47.027-08:00

You DO NOT SUCK. That dentist sucks. You did your best as a mom and you did well. That dentist DID NOT. Don't blame yourself. Next time will go better. I'm sorry for this nightmare but you're A GOOD MOM. Don't you forget it.

No Susan this is not your fault! It is the clinic...

2009-11-19T15:04:37.130-08:00

No Susan this is not your fault! It is the clinic's fault! Shame on the dentist and the clinic! Shame Shame Shame on them! The poor baby! Have more to say. See you soon.