First of all, I have to state that it is ridiculous to insinuate that other reviewers don't know what they are talking about due to a "lack of experience" in a dentist's office, because YOUR experience was positive. Also, the positive reviewer saw Dr. Collier herself...it appears that the other two reviewers did not. Perhaps you just got lucky in seeing Dr. Collier, and maybe Dr. Collier has a professional and compassionate bedside manner...
But for now, I'll step off of my soapbox.
I took my six year old in for his appointment. When I made his appointment, I was not told that the dentist doesn't see children or any like terms, so I assumed that it would be fine to bring him in to the office. The receptionist, as well as the aides were perfectly amiable, welcoming and understanding...I would like to mention that before I launch into the story of the "dentist".
I realize that there are some small children that have no fear of the dentist and his tools...I happened to be one of those children. However, there are others that do have quite a fear of the dental office, and unfortunately my child is one of them (before anyone dares to mention it, yes, I have talked and explained extensively to him regarding the lack of danger present in a dentists' office...but a rational six year old is a rare creature indeed).
Upon being led to the room that he would be examined in, we were introduced to the dentist and could get nothing more than a look as if we were nothing more than peasants who'd imposed upon him in some manner. This was before we ever stepped foot into the room. He then pretty much waved us off to his understanding, quite lovely aide, but not before flippantly telling her to "do bite wings". She apologized to us, and told me that she wouldn't even recommend bite wings for a child,due to the fact that they have small mouths at such a young age, but since the diva (my word, not hers) requested it...
Five minutes later, my child, despite trying his level best despite being scared, has gagged twice because he's six with a small mouth. So now he's ON EDGE.
He couldn't give a good enough impression on the bite wings, so this had to be nixed. On to the examination...
My child sees the big dentist's chair, and begins getting upset...he just figures he's in for more torture at this point. Finally, I get him to an agreeable enough point to sit in the chair...if I sit with him. The aide sees no problem with it, so I do. By this point, there are several other aides in the room, all of them jovial and good-natured. If I were basing my rating solely on them, I'd give them five stars. My kid is actually back in a good mood at this point.
Then Dr. Diva comes back.
Once again, no words to us of any kind (he did not address my child or myself by name the ENTIRE TIME). He pulls out the mirror to look at my child's teeth, then pulls out the pick with no warning. My son takes one look at this thing, which although small must look like a mini grim reaper's sickle to his little mind, and promptly turns full around, trying to get away from this thing. I try talking him into letting the dentist look at his teeth using the instrument, calling it a toothpick (as he knows what that is), by now he's too aggravated and wants nothing to do with anything in the office or this strange man.
Dr. Diva walks out, not a single word to me. He sends one of his aides in to tell me that he is recommending my child see a pedodontist. This in itself is fine with me, so I gather our things,pick up the referral from the receptionist and leave.
My mother came along with myself and my child, as she is quite close to her grandson. She did not come into the examination area, and chose to stay in the waiting room. Dr. Diva did not know that this was my mother in the waiting room. She could have been any random person. So what does Dr. Diva do before my return to the front lobby? He proceeds to babble to the receptionist that he's referring "that child" to the pedodontist, because he's not letting him do anything, and the mother is "just playing around."
Uh...for your information, you snob, it's called calming a child down in the presence of strange instruments and some person he doesn't know. I will not even delve into the unprofessional nature of discussing a patient in front of others.
I am not the kind of mother who feels that the world should revolve around her child only. I realize that people will not bow at his feet and coddle him at every step of the way. What I do expect though, is compassion and humane treatment. I do not expect to be treated with condescension that borders on revulsion.
I would not send my dog to Spectrum Dental again, ditto for my child. read more
