Before Lucas started school I took him to the dentist for his school check-up. Let's just say the first appointment was awful. I warned them about his anxiety and sensitivity, said it might be best to skip the x-rays at this appointment until he gets more comfortable.... well they ignored me and even sent me out so they could "get tough with him". I sat there in the waiting room listening to him scream, feeling hopeless, sad and angry.
Needless to say we found a different dentist really quick. When we moved I knew I needed to find another good dentist. Thankfully we found a great one we loved. Yesterday, was a regular check-up for Lucas and Alex, but it was also Ryder's first checkup.
We waited and I figured I must be half crazy doing all these appointments in one sitting.
Then he decided he was ready. He laid down, laying back opening his mouth wide, and did a great job!
He did it! Though it wore him out
He even go the red plate at dinner to celebrate.
No, I most certainly do NOT like the dentist. I only go once a year and I still dread it. Your experience with Lucas' first dental visit makes me want to cry - how could they do that knowing he was so scared?
ReplyDeleteI know! The worst part it was a kid’s dentist too, in fact it was “My Kids First Dentist” so I could not believe how awful they were with kids!
Deletepetrified of the dentist, and after years of not even going, i have found a dentist that understands me - i know bring my ipod and listen to music while anything is getting done!! i am scared for my kids though - Maddy has been to the dentist once and is expected to go again soon, but just walking into the dentist office makes my anxiety go hay wire!
ReplyDeleteThat is good you have found a good one now. Mine has a TV on the ceiling and gives you headphones and you can watch a movie, it is pretty nice but I am never there long enough to finish the movie :)
DeleteIS there anyone that likes the dentist? LOL. My kids actually do a great job at the dentist, and I have to credit the office for making the experience as unscary as possible. Your story of having to leave your kid back in the room made me so sad and angry! A good pediatric dentist should never ask you to leave your child unattended like that. But I'm glad you found a new practice. Stopping by from SITS!
ReplyDeleteYes, sadly it was a pediatric dentist the first time around, they are definitely not all created equal. Thankfully my oldest does worlds better now and it is a much easier process, took a while to get over that one though
DeleteI am actually friends with one of my dentists on Facebook. (It's a father-daughter team) so I'm not completely dreading my dentist appointments. I took my son in August, just before his second birthday, and we found an excellent pediatric dentist. We go again in March. They did no do x-rays, and they really just let him explore the room and the tools before they tried to pry open his mouth (he also sat in my lap and we laid him backwards, so he felt more secure with me.)
ReplyDeleteYea, they didn’t do x-rays for Ryder either since it was his first, which was what I wanted with Lucas a few years back but they (who was also a pediatric dentist) didn’t listen.
DeleteMaybe I'm the odd girl out... I LOVE the dentist. I am very very blessed to have a FANTASTIC dentist. I was blessed with poor genetics in the teeth department, so I had to find a very special dentist as an adult. I have had multiple root canals, fillings, bondings and oral surgery for other reasons by my dentist. I really can't say enough good things about him. And my kids LOVE him!! He is great with them. Always asking how they are doing, if they need me, etc. He will allow me in the room the whole time if they want me... and he has no problem stopping a procedure for anyone if they are uncomfortable or scared. He even uses calming techniques such as breathing and hand massage for relaxation of patients. I'm happy you have found a much better Dentist for your children... it's so important to be comfortable and trusting of your dentist. :) And speaking of, my daughter has an appointment today for a frenectomy, and my son's is tomorrow. #SITSblogging
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome you have found such an amazing dentist, sounds like he goes above and beyond. I like my dentist now and they always put on a movie you can watch while getting your teeth cleaned and thankfully my kids dentist that they now have is awesome too, it still just feels like such a process :)
DeleteAhh the dreaded dentists ! I used to make all kinds of excuses to avoid my dentist visits. The equipment of a dentist used to scare me a lot. Sleeping face of Ryder is so cute.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from SITS Girls
Yea, I got behind a couple of years ago and then just didn't want to go back because I knew they would say something and make me feel bad about how long it had been.. I finally just bit the bullet and am going regularly again now
DeleteI have a new dentist and I LOVE him... and I do need to call him TODAY. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDelete#SITSblogging
Glad I was able to help :) I like my new dentist now too and I actually love my kids current dentist, it still just feel likes such a big production to take everyone.
DeleteIf I told you how long it had been since I went to the dentist, you might stop being my friend...
ReplyDeleteNope, I would still love ya :) I went a few years without going and just kept dreading going back as I knew they were going to give me a bad time about it but then I had filing break so just had to bite the bullet and go
DeleteI had a terrible dentist as a kid, and was terrified to even get my teeth cleaned. However, after moving to a new state, we found a great dentist - he was so good that I am no longer afraid. That says a lot considering that I've had enough dental issues that I had to have crowns put on every single tooth, and i've had to have multiple root canals.
ReplyDeleteIt really is all about having a good dentist. I'm glad you chose a new one - I don't understand how any medical professional thinks it is OK to send a parent out of the room when treating a child. I don't mind a doc making a suggestion, but some refuse to let parents in the room. Just crazy.
Yes, I think had I insisted they would have let me stay, but they said “okay we have tried everything, so why don’t you go wait in the waiting room so we can get though with him”.. I should have grabbed him out of the chair right then and there but I was so embarrassed/worried about his behavior already by that point and he had to have the appointment to get signed up for school
DeleteGood job Ryder!! Our dentist is awesome. My kids always do great, but I really can barely barely stand being there. When they are working on my teeth, it's all I can do not to scream! Good thing our dentist is great, or I actually might. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes I really like our dentist now but it is still just such a process
DeleteGood for you for changing dentists! I'm not looking forward to doing this with my little one. Onestepatatime.co.za
ReplyDeleteYes, no way I was going to that one again- sadly they were a pediatric dentist too, just obviously not a very good one
DeleteWhat is it about dentists? We all either fear them or just don't like them.
ReplyDelete-Elle
coming from the Comment Love Tribe
Yep, I don't fear the dentist myself but it is not up there on my list of things I want to do at all
DeleteI hated the dentist growing up, the sounds reminded me of a horror film and our dentist did not cater to children lol I made sure to take my son to a pediatric dentist and he loves it. He even looks forward to his check ups :) Dropping by from SITS girls
ReplyDeleteYes you definitely need to find a dentist that is geared towards kids, sadly the first one supposedly was it was My Kids First Dentist- but yea.. thankfully much better one now. Glad you found one you like.
DeleteStopping by from SITS Girls Comment Love Tribe. My son has a love/hate relationship with the dentist; he loves having his teeth clean, but hates getting them cleaned. Kids can be so funny. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteYes you are exactly right, kids can definitely be funny.
DeleteI must say, I actually enjoy the dentist. Maybe that's silly but I love the feeling of such clean teeth. Stopping by via SITS! Cute blog :)
ReplyDeleteOh I definitely love the results of the going to the dentist too, but yea the process not so much.
DeleteWow, all three at the same time - you are a brace woman!! It will be my little guy's first appointment this spring and I'm already anxious. Dr. checkups are hard enough...but getting INSIDE his mouth...oye. Well done with you and your kids! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hope you guys appointment goes well.
DeleteStill, at the age of 43, I hate going to the dentist, and I actually like my dentist and his whole team! I gag so easily that I just dread it! And, I had a bad experience as a kid with a dentist who was mean to me. There were like 4 hands in my mouth because of a cavity and I had to sneeze (I remember it like yesterday) - I tried to tell them but couldn't get the words out. When I sneezed it went up in the dentist's face and he was borderline irate! I was terrified. So...yeah, I'm not a fan even though I LOVE the feeling of freshly cleaned teeth! I'm glad you found a great dentist for your kids.
ReplyDeleteOh that would be awful, and really you were a kid the dentist should not have been so irate. The feeling of clean teeth is the best.
DeleteI actually really like the dentist, but that's probably because I've always had good teeth! My son (who's now 10) has terrible anxiety at the dentist. I make sure and request the hygienist that works well with him, and they let him do the cleaning sitting up almost straight (it keeps him from gagging). It's gotten a little better as he's gotten older, and thankfully he hasn't had any cavities yet.
ReplyDeleteYes, I don’t mind the dentist that much myself, though I have had my share of dentists that I felt like were just trying to upsell things all of the time, but my oldest has a lot of anxiety too so that has made it all harder. Thankfully things are worlds better now, but still just not a fun process.
DeleteI have been putting off the dentist for my youngest 3 because one of them has such bad anxiety. I need to do it though. I need to find a really great dentist first.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely talk with people too. The first dentist I took Lucas to was a kid’s dentist, it was actually a My Kid’s First Dentist, so I figured it would great.. yea not so much.
DeleteMy life took a turn for the better when I discovered a dentist who offered laughing gas. I don't understand the anxiety level that accompanies a visit, but it's real. I, too, am glad you found a different dentist - "get tough with" is not a kid-friendly dentist. Stopping by from SITS girls.
ReplyDeleteNo definitely not kid friendly and the worst part is it was a kid's dentist. I think I have only had laughing gas once, it definitely made me very giggly.
DeleteI've actually never minded the dentist. Knock on wood, good teeth and no cavities ever here. I do, however, hate finding a new hair stylist. My version of dental appointments. #SITSblogging
ReplyDeleteOh I agree about the hair slyest! I had one I loved growing up and have never really found a good replacement since.
Deleteaww look at your little man with his plate! So proud! The part I've always hated is the nasty fluoride they make you swish, especially if it's fruity. Yuck. Which reminds me; I'm past due for a visit...
ReplyDeleteYes, you would think it could have a better taste!
DeleteAwww my son's first dentist appointment was HORRIBLE and he is my easy going one. We ended up going to a children's specialist whose entire office was decorated as an under sea world complete with sunken ships and treasure. He doesn't complain anymore when he has to go.
ReplyDeleteYea! So glad you have been able to find a good one he really likes. His first dentist was a kids dentist, I learned the very hard way all kids dentist are not created equal.
DeleteQuite the ordeal to have someone walking around inside your mouth....good job Ryder!
ReplyDeleteYes it can be- he did so good until he gagged, but in the end was able to finish his appointment just fine.
DeleteTo be honest, no I don't like the dentist. I like my dentist, he's a great guy and a really good dentist. Last time there, I reminded them they have a pretty cool job. People pay them to be tortured by them. Anyway, so glad Ryder did well. What a cute little man he is. I think he really earned the red plate.
ReplyDeleteLol that is true people do pay them for that huh?
DeleteI don't mind the dentist. I can't stand the orthodontist. In the back of my mind I feel like they are constantly trying to make money off of you by doing random checks on your retainer. It's kind of silly if you ask me...
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I have had a few dentists like that actually where I feel like they are always trying to upsell me things, I hate it!
DeleteNoooo! Does anyone like the dentist? :) Well, maybe people who have worked in the field. :) That's CRAZY about the first dentist ignoring you and then telling you to "get tough" with him! Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from SITS! Your kids are adorable!
I know, I was so mad about that and I think so shocked and just unnerved already as he was so upset that I just couldn’t think what to do at the time. I should have just grabbed him and left
DeleteAww, I absolutely love this story! I mean, not the part about the mean dentist, but the better one. I'm glad you all were able to survive going to the dentist. I for one am not a fan of going to the dentist and generally avoid it as much as I can, haha. #SITSblogging
ReplyDeleteYes, I too am so glad it did work out in the end. Yea, I don't mind the dentist for myself that much just a pain to take all three kids
DeleteGlad you found a better dentist! We switched dentists when my older son was little because they couldn't deal with the fact that he gagged every time they tried to take x-rays. They resorted to threatening him with making me leave - we never went back.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from SITS
Yes! That was exactly are problem, it was the x-rays. Then after he kept gagging and was so upset he had a hard time settling down for the rest of it which is when they “got tough” with him
DeleteNO I am terrified of the dentist. Just mention dentist, and my hands start to perspire. I wish I was a child today because it so much different and better. They create a very comfortable environment, deploy props and toys to bribe the kids, and the staff are well trained on how to handle children. Much better environment today.
ReplyDeleteYes it definitely is so much nicer for kids today. Sadly the first dentist he went to was a kids dentist, so they should have been better... they just so were not.
DeleteOh my gosh I hate going to the dentist. I need to go but I keep putting it off! I used to cry and cry when I had to go as a child. They seem to have better ways to help kids at dentists now, tvs and such. Coming over from #SITSBlogging.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love that my dentist now has a TV on the ceiling so I can even watch while getting my teeth cleaned, the only trouble is I never am there long enough to finish the movie I am watching :)
DeleteIt might be tiring to look for a specialized dentist due to your heart condition, but it’s all worth it. On the other hand, it’s nice to know that you found a dentist real quickly for your children. These pictures really tell that they enjoyed their dental appointment. Hope you won’t have to fear the dentist anymore so that your kids won’t feel the same way too.
ReplyDeleteGerald Regni
Oh thankfully I am not afraid for myself, it has just been some hard situations for my kids, but yes thankfully we have found a good dentist now
DeleteI used to love going to the dentist when I was a kid...haven't taken the boys yet so we will see!
ReplyDeleteYea, I didn’t take Lucas until it was practically time for his school check up, so I recommend going before then for sure
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