I am 36 years old and have a horrible fear of the dentists to this day, due to the series of traumatic experiences I had at Dr. Bertot's practice between the ages of 9 and 12.
Scared and crying/screaming children were separated from their parents by sound-proofed rooms, and were frequently told they couldn't go back to their parents (during or after an appointment) until they stopped crying.
Children/patients having scary/bloody procedures were seated right next to kids in for routine things like cleaning with no barriers or privacy. I remember being terrified I was going to have "surgery" every time I went and that it was going to hurt.
My worst experience was right before I got braces, and my orthodontist had instructed I have my last 2 baby teeth pulled to hasten the permanent teeth coming in (which HE misjudged - I didn't have those teeth come in for nearly 2 years). They were in front, and not remotely loose at the time. I was super scared and tearful (about age 11). A hygienist, who thought he was funny, showed me missing teeth in HIS mouth and joked that he hoped the my new teeth would come in, but "you never know!" I was only given gas - no novocaine - so I wasn't numb when they yanked out my teeth. I asked repeatedly to be numb or for my mom to come back, and was refused. It was horrific. I was then told to stop crying because I "was too old to cry."
After that, my mom never took me back, but the damage was done.
I sweat, shake, and fight panic attacks when going to the dentist for simple cleanings. I have nightmares days beforehand.
If you love your kids, don't bring them to Dr. Betot and his sociopathic team. read more