I would not be taking my two year old back here even had I not received a letter from them informing me that they wouldn't be caring for my child's 'oral health' and essentially telling me that I am not doing my job as a parent. I took my daughter here at six and eighteen months as well as two years. I insisted that her father go with us for the two year appointment because at the one prior I knew I felt uncomfortable taking her there but I wanted the confirmation that I wasn't overreacting or something. There aren't too many things that we agree on but this was probably the easiest thing we have ever had to decide. When we left the appointment we both immediately said we need a new dentist and this is why:
I am a first time parent who tends to ask a lot of questions because, as we all know, knowledge is power and I don't want to ruin her teeth, health, behavior, etc and feel unsure of myself re: being a mom. So while the hygienist was with us initially, I asked her if she had any suggestions to get my toddler to actually brush. She enjoys the ritual itself but the actual brushing that gets done is sub par. She cheerfully told me that she pins her three year old down daily, morning and night and does it for her, and even though her child screams the entire time she knows it's best. When the doctor came out she reconfirmed this recommendation. She said, that together we just have to pin her down twice a day and do it till she figures it out, always assuming that we live in the same home... which we do not and live a ways from each other while sharing custody. When I asked about potential trauma that may come from this resulting in a disinclination to brushing for years to come, she poo-poo'd me telling me, no she will be fine. She then had us practice our technique of restraining our daughter in what I can only describe as a wrestling move and if you can believe it, yes, she flipped out, screaming bloody murder. But still I thought, she's the doctor so I suppose that despite my instinct telling me this was maybe not the best way I could try it at least a few times.
Next we were told that she has at least five cavities and that we need to give her our adult toothpaste even though it upsets her stomach due to reflux. Again, she'll be fine. So then comes the fluoride. Since she has been six months old they have been putting fluoride on her teeth at the appointment as well as prescribing fluoride drops and the fluorinated kids toothpaste. To me this seems rather excessive. However when I asked about it I was polite (especially since I was unaware of the reaction I would get) just wanting to know do we need the fluoride every day even though she gets it every six months at her check ups and in daily toothpaste. She seemed to get defensive at this telling me condescendingly and not a little impatiently, listen I am the doctor, I went to school, got the degree and this is what I am telling you to do. To me it felt like not only was I being reprimanded but also shamed. Not the best way to feel considering that I would be coming here every six months or so.
Then came the letter which confirmed what I had been feeling. Highlights of it include:
'Treatment of any kind depends on the knowledge, skill and cooperation of the dentist, hygienist and most importantly, the patient and the parent.'
'Successful treatment can only be achieved when a symbiotic relationship based on trust and confidence exists between parents and our provider.'
'Earnest effort must exist on the part of the parents to consistently assist with effective homecare as well as partnering with us in managing your child's oral health.'
So what I got from that was 'you are being uncooperative by questioning me. You need to blindly do what I tell you to even if it doesn't feel right to you or you will be fired as a patient.'
It is clearly all for the best but be warned: having questions and concerns are not welcomed or allowed here.
**Apologies for the length of this review. It was very upsetting for me and it was hard to condense. read more
