Conference moira::parenting_v3

Hmmm.  What do they do if the kid's afraid of dogs?

    
    While having some dental work done (month or so ago), I listened to our
    dental hygenist "work" with a 3-year old boy (re: cleaning).  I was
    totally amazed, too!
    
    First off, they take on a TOTALLY DIFFERENT ROLE when working with the
    kids.  She introduced the tools -- here's MY toothbrush, but look, it's
    motorized ... neat, huh? ... want to push the button and make it spin?
    ... here, push it ... WOW!   Have you counted your teeth lately?  How
    many do you now have.  GREAT!  Want to count them for me?  Actually,
    can you help me out but holding this mirror for me so I can see you
    count them.  Thanks! ... and this is my toothpaste ... it's comes in
    lots of flavors ... want to taste them?  Have a favorite?  Kids usually
    choose the bubble-gum flavored one.  Oh, I almost forgot to show you my
    squirt-gun ... now this is neat, you'll love this.  Here, see if you
    can aim and hit the bowl ... OOOPS! ... close!  Want to try again!
    Can I make brush your teeth?  Would you like to use my squirt gun to
    rinse out?  No ... well, that's OK, you can still practice hitting the
    bowl ... on and on and on ...
    
    Kid left with a toolkit ... Ninja Turtle brush, sparkle toothpaste, toy
    ... asking his Mom when he could come back!
    
    My dentist told me that he REFUSES to work on a child who's upset. 
    Years past they used to "restrain" the child, which he is
    dead-set-against!  He said he doesn't mind rescheduling numerous times
    until the child becomes comfortable with the environment and trusting
    of the staff.  They encourage parents to bring their kids along to all
    cleanings and minor dental appointments so the child sees that it's OK
    for Mommy/Daddy and the place isn't "so strange".
    
    Our dentist also had Julianne sit in Jim's lap while he looked at her
    loosened front teeth  (made her feel a little more secure in Daddy's
    arms).
    
    I remember my first dental appointment (as a kid) ... AND it sure
    wasn't F-U-N!!!!!!  Sure glad to see things have improved drastically!
    
    Never had the opportunity to visit a Pedi-Dentist's office ... kind of
    hoping I don't have to, too! ... but if I do, I'm glad you shared your
    experience with us NOTERS ... makes me feel a little more comfortable.
    
    Dottie
    

    My daughter also had a bumped and discolored tooth at 2 1/2.  The visit
    to the pediodontist was quite low key.  
    
    At 3 she returned for a cleaning.  The hygenist was great; I sure
    couldn't work with anxious kids like that 8 hours a day.  Elizabeth was
    fine for the cleaning (otherwise known as "tickling the teeth"), but
    got a little antsie towards the end as her mouth got a bit gritty.
    
    I have nothing but admiration for these folks.  They make Mr. Rogers
    look like Attilla the Hun.
    
    LZP
    

{  Preface to the 2nd edition.  This was originally entered a few days ago. 
It raised some concerns in the minds of the moderators however, but they
have kindly suggested that it might be re-submitted with some modest
revisions.
			- b.c.  }

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I heartily endorse seeking an office that specializes in kids.  Dr.
    XYZXYZ, in XYZXYZXYZ XYZXYZ  is real good, too, though he doesn't have
    any dogs.  In over five years of regular visits, I have yet to see any
    kid there who was upset or frightened.  We are now also getting to know
    well the orthodontist who works with him, Dr. XYZXYZXYZX.
    
    One other thing I do is take my kids along occasionally when _I_ am
    going to the dentist (and not expecting anything grizzly!).  I think
    they like knowing that grownups have these indignities visited upon
    them, too.  It also emphasizes dental health as a life long process,
    and gives a good opportunity to talk about the unpleasant consequences
    of neglecting it.  The dentists and staff have always seemed to welcome
    such visits, and been glad to talk about what they are doing, and why.
    
    		- Bruce

    re .3 - 
    does the discoloration ever improve .... or do we just accept that
    it is a first tooth and will be gone in a couple of years??

    As a suggestion, you could ask your dentist what s/he recommends. We
    did, after Ryan was born, and he said bring him on in around his 3rd
    birthday for a look-see. I can't see that they'd do an entire cleaning
    unless it was called for. I think the first visit is more experiential
    than anything else, but perhaps not.
    

    Nancy,
    
    I've been bringing my daughter to the dentist since she was 
    three.  He specializes in pediatric dentistry but also handles
    family dentistry.   On Amy's first visit both myself and husband
    went with her.  They didn't do an actual cleaning.  They had
    her sit in the chair, explained why (in children's terms) you
    need to go to the dentist, showed her all the tools, let her
    squirt the water and air thingy, rode her up and down in the 
    chair, explained why the light was in her eyes, why she needed
    the little bib, etc.
    
    He has Disney and Muppet stuff all over the walls and ceilings.
    When they leave the receptionist/nurse lets them pick out a 
    toy of their own choosing.  This sometimes takes longer than the
    actual dental check up.  They also get a new toothbrush - Muppets
    or some same type character.
    
    The second time she went they did an acutal cleaning.  She's now
    7 years old and goes every six months for a check up.  She has
    no fear of the dentist at all.  
    
    Tricia
      
                               

    in answer to .6 (my own question)
    
    mike's discoloration has improved remarkably...the tooth grayness has
    really gone away...the injury was about 4 months ago.
    
    also, why is .7 set hidden ??
    
    

        <<< MRDATA::DISK$MRDATA_AUX2:[NOTES$LIBRARY]PARENTING.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< Parenting >-
================================================================================
Note 387.7                  pediatric dentist results                    7 of 10
CUPMK::VARDARO "Nancy"                               18 lines  17-JAN-1991 10:40
                        -< what age for a first visit? >-
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    This question is a little off the topic, but rather than start
    a new note ...
    
    At what age did you first bring your child to the dentist?
    I know they recommend sometime around the 3rd b'day, right?
    Did you find they were ready to sit and have their teeth
    cleaned?  What do they do at a first visit?
    
    My son will be 3 in March - and even though he still doesn't
    have all his teeth (missing the back molars), I am considering
    bringing him in the next couple of months.
    
    I would just like to hear others experiences with this.
    
    Nancy

<    also, why is .7 set hidden ??
    
The author of .7 ended the original note with a request for recommendations for
dentists. It was set hidden while she rewrote the note so that it wouldn't
include that.  Requests for recommendations for service providers such as
doctors and dentists belong in note 6.*, to be answered by mail. 

     Carol duBois, PARENTING co-moderator

    Kelsey visited her pediatric dentist at 2 1/2.  Her teeth had a
    "scummy" yellow build-up along the gums.  Thorough brushing and baking
    soda didn't remove the stuff.  Evidently, it has something to do with
    the acidity in her saliva.  
    
    The hygenist (female) showed her all the instruments, took her on a
    "ride" in the dentist chair, let her pick out the flavor flouride rinse
    and toothpaste and let her try at flossing.  Kesley did get her teeth
    cleaned, flossed and flouride-treated.  I sat by her side.
    
    She was more shy with the dentist (male) - she generally was at that
    time with men.  She let him count her teeth (checking them).  
    
    No tears, no fears.  She left with a balloon, a rope "friendship"
    bracelet, stickers and a toothbrush.
    
    She just went again for a 6 month visit. She just turned 3.  She did
    great.  After bringing her in to get settled in the dentist chair, I
    opted to wait in the waiting room with my son (16 mos).  She was fine.
    
    -L