Why the pediatric dentist office won't allow me to go back with my child?

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a dentist that didn't allow parents to go back with their child for 'privacy' reasons.They said it was their policy because they have everyones charts open and don't want to take the risk of being sued because their chart was read by an outside party.I took her here because one of my customers at work suggested it.The first time we went, it was very scary for her and she begged me to go back with her. I knew I couldn't.She finally agreed to go back there without a fight but as soon after, they came to speak to me about this 'papoose' thing they were gonna need to put her in for her safety and their own.They said she had a tantrum in the back. I didn't want to let them put her in there, so I told him no and then a nurse came in and said they got her calm finally.Everything went smoothly after that.This go-round she has to have a crown on her cavity and I know she's gonna be afraid.Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before? I haven't!

This is actually pretty common practice for many offices, pediatric and general dentistry. The reason isn't usually for the reason they told you, though they have a point about other peoples privacy. The real reason normally is that most of the time, a child cooperates more when their parent is not in the room. Having a parent in the room for many children is an "easy out". Meaning that they think they can act up, cry, or whatever, and mom(dad) won't make them go through with the appointment. Having only the dentist and the assistant in there, puts your child in an environment where they are dealing with an authority figure, and not a parent.

I have seen parents who are just in the way, and say the wrong things. I had one mom who stupidly told her son "They are going to give you a shot and it's going to hurt." I wanted to just strangle her for saying that to her kid. If a parent were to sit quietly at the back of the room and stay out of the way, allowing the dentist to do his job, the it usually wouldn't be a problem having them in the room. But too often, a dentist has to use a stern tone of voice and say things like "ALRIGHT, I EXPECT YOU TO HELP ME OUT BY STAYING STILL, NOT YELLING OR CRYNG AND TO RAISE YOUR HAND IF SOMETHING HURTS OR YOU NEED ME TO STOP. BUT NO MOVING AROUND OR YELLING". I have seen parents undermmine the dentists authority by saying things like "Please don't talk to my son(daughter) like that." All that does is teach the child that the dentist is not the BOSS, that mom or dad is, and they don't have to listen to the dentist. That isn't going to help get the work done, nor is it safe for anyone involved. Can you imagine what would happen if a child refused to listen to a dentist when they were told to keep their hand down by their side, and instead they tried to grab the needle or the drill? The kid would get hurt, not to mention probably hurting the dentist or assistant.

Another reason for not wanting additional people in the treatment rooms, is the space and the fact that there is expensive equipment that they don't want knocked off the counters or tripped over by additional people in the room. Also, having a parent in the room can be distracting for a child. The parents who want to hold the kids hand or leg are actually more in the way than they realize, though I know they don't mean to be. I had a mom once that stood so close behind my chair that she bumped into me about 6-7 times, each time causing me to bump her kid in the mouth with my suction.

Being a mom, I understand how upset a mom can get when she thinks her child is scared or in pain, but when a parent gets upset, the kid gets even more upset. The dentist doesn't need to deal with 2 upset people, when all they are trying to do is get the childs teeth fixed as quickly and painlessly as possible.

When my son was 4, he needed to have some dental work done and I took him to a pediatric dentist that we referred to alot. Even me being a dental assistant, they wouldn't allow me in the back, and I was fine with it. Perhaps it was the fact that I knew what was going on back there, being in the field and all, but I was fine with it. I knew that these people were parents just like me, and were not intentionally going to terrify or traumatize my child.

As far as the pappoose board, they are used commonly in pediatric dentistry, though I have never personally assisted on a child who was in one. At that point, where there is a need to immobilize a child, I think it would be less traumatic to sedate them. Can you suggest that?

Anyways, your experience, though not enjoyable for you, is common in pediatric dentistry.

No it isn't. Don't worry though. I know it is hard for a parent to sit in the waiting room, but we are not monsters and we arn't going to hurt your child. Just try to take a deep breath and trust your dentist. Report It

My kids pediatric dentist office has the same policy. There just isn't enough room for them to do what they need to do with parents all over the place. What they do before taking the kids back there though is sit in a small room to the side with the parent and child....they pull out the big 'fun' teeth and pictures...all that good stuff and explain to the child what they are going to do. Once the child understands what's going on they take them back and do what they need to do.

I'll be damned if some doctor isn't going to let me accompany my child while the child is being seen. What is this doctor doing to my kid?

wall of t3xt dood!!!

Our office will allow parents in for consultation and post-op instructions but not during the procedures. They interfere too much with everything, freak out, and children behave better if their enabler is not there to baby them.

Some pediatric dentist offices have this policy since a parent's presence can sometimes interfer with the treatment - the child is sometimes less cooperative. If this office's policy is not working for you, I would suggest finding another dentist for your daughter. Or you can talk to your daughter before the appt. about what to expect and calm her nerves about the experience.

I used to work in a pediatric dentist office. The reason they do that is because most of the time the parent gets worked up because the child is scared and crying. Not for privacy reasons. The parents think the dentist is hurting the child when the child just doesn't want to be there!! The papoose is for the child's safety as well as the staff's safety. You don't want your child to reach up and grab the drill as the dentist is working on him/her. And the staff can be kicked, punched, scratched, etc... We used to tell the kids that their mom/dad was waiting patiently for them in the waiting room and they can go see them as soon as they calm down and let us do what we have to do. That their mom/dad brought them to us to help fix their teeth that are probably hurting. Most of the time they can't wait to leave so they calm down immediately after we tell them that. So just tell your little one that the better she behaves, the sooner the dentist can finish!

Kids tend to panic more with mom or dad present . The dentist needs to gain control in order to assure calm and give the best care . Besides , it is easier on everyone that way (on you too ) .