Ds turned 5 in December. He is due for his 6 mo. checkup and while I have to say ds is an extremely 'easy' child, I Dread taking him to the dentist.

I believe he has some sensory issues, but not enough that I want to 'label' him as he has grown out of some of them and this might be just another one of those that we have to deal with until it passes.

But the last time we took him to the dentist - he freaked. He was okay until the chair got him tipped in a very vulnerable position. He Hates the feeling of being tipped back far enough to clean his teeth, and he is sensitive to noise as well so by the time they use the machine to clean his teeth, he's ready for a breakdown

The last time he was hysterical and screaming at the top of his lungs "Are you done" "When it is going to be over", and he was a mess. We take him to pediatric dentist, however the place is 'hopping' with kids so there is lots of activity around. I thought at first this would be good for him, to see lots of other kids, and now I'm thinking I made the wrong choice.

The problem is that I don't feel anyone takes me seriously. Even though they deal with kids, it's kind of like assembly line, and when I try to explain that he can't stand to have the chair that way (so far backward) and to go slowly with him, they told me he "Needed a nap, that he was tired" He hasn't taken a nap since he was 3!

What should I do at this point? Find another dentist? Try to explain again? I just feel it won't do much good. He was seriously hysterical (I think he might have been having a panic attack it was that bad).

Are you sure you're not talking about my son. He has the same type "issues." Not quite enough to put a label on, but they are there for sure. We had to take him to the dentist 3 times before he would let them even clean his teeth. We just kept making appointments, he would sit in the chair and talk to the dental hygenist. They would take his picture with the hand held camera thing. Each time he would get a prize and we would schedule another appointment and do a little more the next time. It helped when they put sun glasses on him, the light bothers him. One time they brushed his teeth w/ him sitting up. The next time he was able to sit back and let them count them and do a little bit of a shine with the polisher. Now finally, he can't wait to go. He just needs to used to something before he can do it. He still hasn't had x-rays and they mentioned a floride treatment, but no way are we ready for that yet, but we'll get there.

My dentist office was really nice about this. They didn't charge me for all the initial visits because we were only in for 5 minutes and now they have a patient forever. I know how trying it can be, but we play the hand we're given, ya know. Good luck!

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The mighty oak started out as a nut that held its ground.

My pediatric dentist is wonderful about that! My 8 yr old started going there when he was 4. He would scream and fight. My denitst is wonderful!!!! he would tell him that at least he could see in his mouth when it was that far open!!! They did have to put him in a little straight jacket type thing once when he had a cavity. But no regular dentist would have even delt with him. The dentist has even told him how wonderfully he has done the last few times, since he seems to have outgrown the screaming, kicking stage. They also have alot of hand held games for the kids to play while they are sitting in the chair. They have a climber in the waiting area .

If you are not comfortable with what this dentist is doing, I would try another one. Ask lots of questions before making an appointment.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Speaking as someone who works at a dental office, you deffinately need a pediatric dentist. A general dentist wouldn't put up with that behavior (not that it's wrong, it's just not a qualifictation of a general dentist) and referr him out anyways because they are used to seeing young teens and adults. I would go to another office. Have you tried not going into the room with him? It sounds stupid, but most kids behave better when their parents aren't in the room. Again...this is from personal experience. You might be scared to do this, but it could work out to your advantage. If the other office is not for you, try another one b/c they did sound a little rude. Most dentists that I know would try to calm the child down. You could also suggest they not be so agressive with him b/c of his panic situation. I would shop around if I were you and try a new dentist.

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I think your intuition is kicking in, and I think it's worth it to find another, more understanding dentist. Mine is not a pediatric dentist, but he is wonderful. My son, who does have sensory issues, actually enjoys going there- they have cool videos, a Lego table, kind and patient hygienists and give him a special toy at the end, and cool power toothbrushes.

Also, from when he was very young, I encouraged him to hold onto and hug his favorite toy during the procedure. I also played dentist so he could get used to all the sensations - I stuck plastic and metal forks and a tube in his mouth. I also promised to buy a special toy if it all worked out well for him or go for ice cream. Hey, bribery works! I held his hand, too. Now, he is six and doesn't even want me to come back w/him, so I wait in the waiting room and get glowing reports.

The whole office is calm and fairy quiet, including in the waiting room. He has about eight chairs, so it's pretty well run.

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Make someone's heart smile today.

I would find a new dentist. My son was like that when he was five too. He had a huge melt down and the hygenist was so great. She sat his chair up and then proceded for a little while longer. She could see his teeth were fine and so she just didn't do the entire routine. He had to go in agian since he's turned six...once to have two baby teeth pulled (his adult teeth were behind them) and for a cleaning and he did GREAT!!!!!!

Find a new place that is more understanding to these type of issues.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

If you're thinking of finding a new dentist, then go with your gut. I was referred to a pediatric dentist for DS to get a filling..... I explained to her DS CANNOT have laughing gas b/c it makes him hyper...what did they do? She insisted they HAD to try it anyway... He was hyper and all over the place, I had to physically restrain him, which they had told me wouldn't be necessary , it broke my heart but when the dentist had the gall to raise her voice to my son...that was the end of it. I told her (okay, yelled ) When you refused to listen to me and gave him the nitrous anyway, you LOST any right you may have had to yell at my child". He is now back at our general dentist and is very good for cleanings, they just couldn't do his cavity b/c of the situation with the nitrous.... now we know better and I told our reg dentist what had happened there and she wasn't any happier than I was.

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Have you been in the Spotlight yet?

I think it might depend on the dentist. I take my dd to see my regular dentist and she is wonderful with my dd. When I used to take my dd to a pediatric dentist, my dd would dread going. Now that she sees my dentist, she looks forward to going. She actually draws pictures as presents for the dentist. Granted, if there was anything serious (like filling a cavity and dd would have to be put under), she would refer us to a (different) pediatric dentist. But for cleanings, x-rays, and general checkups, our dentist is wonderful.

I hated taking my dd to the local pediatric dentist. The kids would be herded back into a big, open room full of dentist chairs. One time, some little girl was having some work done and was screaming her head off. My dd kept looking over at me, terrified. There was no privacy whatsoever at that joint. Also, I had a friend that worked at that pediatric dentist office and she told me that the dentists/hygenists were sick of seeing kids by 10:00 a.m. so I needed to make my appointment early before the staff got cranky. That gave me great confidence in them (not).

If you're not comfortable with this dentist office then you need to listen to your mommy instincts and find another one. Also, kids can sit up to have their teeth cleaned and should be allowed to do so if that's how they would be more comfortable. My dd had a bit of an issue being laid back (she's fine now that she's older), so my dentist would allow dd to sit in an upright position to clean and check her teeth. My dentist has never insisted that dd lay back to have her teeth cleaned and checked.

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If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

I'd find a new dentist too...

I'm sure a pediatric dentist is fine but I wouldn't rule out another regular dentist. Our dentist is not a pediatric dentist and he's great with kids...it all just depends on the person, how they interact with children etc

Ask your local friends and family for suggestions...

Good luck!

How about having you lay in the chair and having your son in your lap? We did that with my son on his first check-up. It worked fine. After that, he sat in the chair by himelf no problem.

If you contiue to have bad feelings regarding this dentist you should consider switching.