This review might be quite negative compared to the 5 stared reviews in the list. The negative experience applies to cavity treatment approach(not even the treatment itself.). For a checkup? I'll give 5 stars myself.
Dr Zavery's approach on cavity treatment is quite active. You see a stain, you go for a drill & fill baby. I'm not saying it's wrong. It prevents the cavity from getting worse and makes you go easy with dental care. Even though baby tooth comes off, you still have years to be with it, and leaving a bad cavity in the baby tooth can cause malocclusion, cavity in permanent teeth and malnutrition(if it hurts, kid's don't eat well.) So, it's not a bad idea actively treating the baby teeth. But on the other hand, over-treatment shortens the lifespans of the tooth. And when the treatment comes with IV sedation, you would really want to ask, is this worth it.
Dr Zavery doesn't let you make an appointment for sedation and filling right away. She wants you to do the research and I really appreciate that. You can make different decisions, but a second opinion is a must for your young ones. The IV sedation is like going through a real surgery and there are chances of risking a life(not a high number but for the last 30 years, 44 child deaths were reported in the states due to this, and more unreported.) Again, I'm not saying it's wrong. If you and your child went through it, you did a great job. No doubts on that you made the best decision for your child.
My boy has a couple of cavities. Dr Zavery insisted on the IV sedation, while introducing other sedative options such as laughing gas. She strongly implied that since my boy is too young and the cavity is deep, the other methods will not work. So, I went to another dentist for a second opinion, and the doctor there said that it's a tiny cavity which does not need a treatment right away. In fact, some of these tiny cavities can last up to years without worsening and the teeth can just come off when the time comes.
There is no true answer. As mentioned above, each approach has it's pros and cons. But I'm buying the other doctor's word.
For the following reasons
- Dr. Zavery showed me the most nasty pictures of baby cavities and told me that will be my boy's future. Well, How dare you. Injecting fear is a good way to earn money, but that is so wrong. Even with swamping your tooth in Mountain dew(the top.1 drink causing tooth decay) will take quite a while for that nasty thing to happen.
- No instructions on cavity care(She did give instructions on daily dental care, like don't drink juice. which is quite a common procedure in dentist visits). Other dentists prescribe methods like G** for daily use and will apply fluoride varnish to prevent cavity from getting worse. In Dr. Zavery's office, not even a cleaning was done. 2 dentists, one gave you only scary photos and wild stories and did nothing. The other gave you cleaning, fluoride varnish, calmed you down, prescribed tools to work out. Which would you want to go?
But again, for those who seek active treatment, this place is not a bad option. She justifies herself very well. Like, treating you as if you have no idea on dental hygiene and that there is absolutely no way to treat cavities but IV sedation for toddlers.
Reason for stars:
1. (not mentioned above though)Abundant toys and books. My boy would be asking me day by day for a visit to the dentist just for those toys. If you are for only a checkup, this might be a great start.
2. The list of drinks and cereals to avoid should be useful if you don't know much. Good explanation on sedation and not accepting appointments to push for each others own research.
3. Clean environment and modern equipment
Reason for no stars:
1. Stop scaring people. These are people who only think what's best for their children. It is not right to frighten them. I tend to lose faith on doctors who inject fear which is an indication of over-treatment.
2. No option for toddler cavity treatment except IV sedation. This shouldn't be a matter to you if your child is older than 5 and you are comfortable with laughing gas.
3. No cleaning, no fluoride varnish when there clearly is a decay and those would greatly benefit.
Once again, my negative experience may not apply to you. If you have a kid, who needs regular checkups, go for it. Your kid will love to go to the dentist. If you have a kid with cavities, not willing for IV sedation and you don't want to panic, go somewhere else. read more