if I could give ZERO stars I would. My denist who I have been going to for over 20 +years referred Kids Smiles. I have a special needs child. I made this appointment a couple months in advance. When I called I made sure to let them know I have an autistic non speaking child with a neurological speech disorder and hypotonia. I asked if they had experience with autistic children. I also made sure to advocate that I would need to go back with my child for his visit.
our initial appointment got canceled and rescheduled due to shortage of hygienists. Today(6-30-22) we had our appointment. front desk was ok. The hygienist was very professional and kind to my child and I. I liked her and she was very understanding.
My child did pretty well, I could tell they don't get many autistic individuals.
once she showed him the scraper tool for plaque he got upset- nothing crazy - like any child would react, but we decided to stop and have the Doctor come see us. The denist didn't even say hello to my child, barely even looked at him. That was my 1st red flag. Her tone was rude and cold. She didnt even introduce herself- the hygienist did, Red flag #2.
She tried to see if she could use the tool and her tone with my kid was also rude and cold, red flag #3.
She then said we would have to reschedule and come back so they could use the private room(that wasn't being used to begin with) I stressed to her how I made this appointment months ago and let them know my childs medical condition. I was told they would need to restrain him next time in a device called a butterfly I believe it was called, and restrain his head. I was told I was not allowed to stay in the room. Red flag #4. I said I would like to be with him since he is non speaking, incase something happened,he wouldn't be able to tell me etc.
she got angry nasty tone with me and said "what do you think we are going to do to him"
I was taken by surprise she had the audacity to say this to me, especially her nasty tone. The nerve of her to be so clueless about special needs parenting and children with disabilities, not making accommodations for the unique needs of the child. Just because she is a denist does not mean she is some saint, that I should trust her behind closed doors with my disabled non speaking son. I don't know her or her staff- my child would be restricted not able to move and I am supposed to trust them? EVERYDAY autistic and disabled individuals are abused by medical professionals, teachers, family, schools, etc. how do I know they wouldn't hurt him if he was screaming and crying. they don't know him or his autism. How dare she get offended I advocated for my kid. unbelievable.
I stormed out. I was disgusted by her. She had a nasty attitude, especially to a new patients. When I got home I hopped online and found some other special need parents saying terrible things about this place too. similar stories. One parent said her child was traumatized and they charged extra $40 to restrain the child and extra $60 for behavior- charging more because the kid was disabled not neurotypical. I wouldn't even take a neurotypical child there. Such an upsetting experience. Sadly, these will be encounters we will have in life in this ableist society. I wanted to give her an ear full. Thankfully we found a denist referral from a special needs group online. AWFUL! read more