What should I do regarding the dentist?

DH is at the office of group benefits right now asking about dental insurance to see if it's even an option. Currently we don't have any, but we have a discount card through DH's employer. The problem is that only 1 pediatric dentist in the city honors the discount. So we brought the girls at 2.5 and all he did was look at their teeth for about 30 seconds and that cost us $100. And he told us to come back again in 6 months. We haven't been back b/c I was so pregnant 6 months later and are just now getting back in the swing of things. Now they are over 3 years old and so I called to get them an appointment for a cleaning. I was told that until they are willing to go to the back without parents that they won't clean their teeth and the dentist will only check them again. I really don't want to pay another $100 to hear their teeth are fine, and to be honest this dentist appeared to be a creepy old man to DH and I and I don't know that I want them going to the back without one of us anyway. I have horrible memories of the dentist's office from when I was a kid.

So I'm wondering - do your kids get their teeth cleaned at age 3? I don't know if I should send them to get checked again and pay the $100, try to get dental insurance, or do nothing - brush their teeth at home and not send them to the dentist until they are older.

 

Can you just bring them to your dentist?

 

Mine went to the dentist for the first time this year when they turned 3. They did clean/brush their teeth with a regular, manual tooth brush that they were able to keep and take home.

She did "recommned" that the next visit I should sit in the waiting area. They feel that kids do much better as far as listening without the parent around.

I do plan on letting them go alone in 6 months but if it turns into a battle, I will go and be with them.

But if you are feeling umcomfortabl, I would find a different dentist.

 

I haven't been since I had the girls. :tomato: Really there's no need for me to go, I've never even had a cavity.

 

I would not be comfortable bringing my kids to a dentist that insisted or even suggested I waiting in the lobby. That said, the first 2-3 times I took them, I went back with them. Now I do let them go by themselves, at almost 6 years old. They always see the same hygienist though. If it were a new hygienist, or when we move and see another dentist, I will go back with them.

I did start taking my kids around 3 years old, more to get them used to regular visits and the actual cleaning process than to really clean their teeth. And I take them to my regular family dentist, they do the cleanings but anything other than a cleaning, I take them to a separate pediatric dentist.

Honestly if I didn't have the insurance, I would probably only take them in once a year for a cleaning and just be very diligent about brushing and flossing.

 

I took the twins when they were 3 (almost 4) for the first time. It was basically just getting them used to having fingers in mouth. I took them to my regular dentist. I have insurance that covers 2 cleanings a year.

 

My kids all started seeing the dentist & having regular cleanings every 6 months starting at age 3. And I continued to go back with them until they were comfortable to go on their own, which varied in age but could be as late as 7 or 8 years old. IMO, no dentist should make you sit in the lobby if your child isn't comfortable & I would find another dentist before I would go for that. Oh, and none of mine have ever seen a pediatric dentist, we all see the same one.

 

Dental hygiene is soo important to me that I took mine in at 3. They did the full workup, like they do on us even Xrays. I could see their big teeth coming in!

They let them sit on my lap tho and I SOO know what you mean about bad memories. When I was a kid my Dad wasn't allowed back there w/ me and it was SCARY! i wouldn't take mine anywhere where I could not hold them

GL! Oh and I also wouldn't waste time having someone "look" in their mouth and say it looks fine, that makes sense for a little baby but once they're 3, they should have a proper cleaning.

 

My kids started seeing the dentist and getting cleanings every 6 months at age 3. It seems odd they won't clean their teeth until they will go back alone. :huh: My oldest DD wouldn't start doing that until she was 8.


Mine all go to our family dentist. The only time we've been to a pediatric dentist was when Trevor had some cavities filled last summer.


ETA: I would look into getting dental insurance. We have even added a 2nd dental insurance that has orthodontic coverage on it, my oldest DD is now seeing an orthodontist.

 

Mine started going at 3, so they've had two cleanings, and I've scheduled their next one for next month. Our pediatric dentist prefers that the parents don't go so the first time we went, I asked the boys if they were ok, and they said yes. They are just down a hall way where I can actually see them but they can't see me when they are in the chairs. They did great, and I think did better because I wasn't with them. I think it all depends on the child and how you feel you should deal with the situation by being there or not. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the replies. I had no idea you could bring them along with you to the dentist. I always saw a pediatric dentist growing up. I hope DH comes home with good news about insurance.

 

My kids all had teeth cleanings at age 3. My oldest are 6 now but I still go in with them for check ups. I would never go to a dentist that insisted I stay in the lobby for check ups. Heck, I still brush their teeth at age 6, so any sort of discussion about brushing, flossing, eating, etc. should be directed to me and not the kids!

 

My kids go to a pedi dentist and the first couple of times they looked at their teeth, counted but also brushed and got them used to being there. We went back with them those couple of times and then they went back willingly all on their own. I think if we play it calm, then it helps them not get so worked up about it. Isabel's been going since she was 3 and the twins went back on their own around 2 or so. We also feel very comfortable with this particular pedi dentist practice and they come highly recommended by most of the pedis in the area.

 

I always go back with my girls, but it's to chat with the dentisit because we have been friends since elementary school. My oldest just started going to the orthodontist, and they have her going back alone. The staff is very friendly, so I'm not at all worried.

 

I too would not be comfortable sending my kids back alone and would be put off if they suggested I do that. I've been taking my older son since he was 2 and the first visit she counted his teeth and used a puppet to show him how to brush. We then took him at 3 and every 6 months since 3. I would look into finding another dentist and see if they will help you by only charging you what an insurance company would pay or letting you do payments. Good luck, I hope your husband has good news.

 

The one I take my boys to said they allow parents to go with them, but they ask that the parents don't say anything unless they need their help. They feel it can make things worse if you try to get your child to open their mouth or look a certain direction. They have their ways, but you would only be there for support for your child if they need it. I am comfortable with that. I'm fine staying out of their way, but I like that I'm allowed to be there with them so they can be reassured they are fine and doing OK.

 

I've been 2x for my ds who had "trauma" to the tooth each time. (chipped, and now bruised...) anyway, visits were at 12 mo. and 33 mo. like you said they were ust "lap visits". I haven't had my dd see him yet b/c I figure I brush their teeth the same. though that's not really a good excuse b/c I'm pretty sure a lot of dental issues are genetic... though I know that actual brushing has a lot to do with it.

anyway, we did sign up for dental insurance this year, so I am hoping to get in at least 2 cleanings for each. though I'm worried that I just "wasted" one of the cleanings with this lap visit for my ds. anyway, like you said they only do the cleanings etc. back in the big kid chairs and they insist parents wait. my friend was put off by it at first, but she says the kids do really great, I'll probably just make sure that they can take back a teddy bear for comfort. I remember having my teddy bear when I was little and had to get teeth pulled etc.

 

And here I thought I was the worst mother because my kids have yet to see a dentist. It seems like many of you started at the age of 3. Phew.

I just made my boys first appointment. Growing up, I went to a pediatric dentist. I DESPISE the dentist. The dentist we are going to is in town and comes highly recommended. I've seen pictures online, and it is very kid friendly with painted rooms, etc. To me, it would put the kids at ease.

That said... we have dental insurance through the state. However, it's very limited on who will take it. And I want them to see the pediatric dentist. Most others are not. And the price tag? Well....let's just say dh is NOT amused. And I will be shocked if I get to keep the appointment.


$158.


EACH.

That's their first appointment. Lord knows what they are going to do. But if they floss their teeth, it better be gold floss! I just don't think my boys are going to have an easy time at the dentist. Maybe it's my own hang up about dentists, I don't know. We'll see how this goes I guess...

And dh never had dental insurance growing up. His father owns his own business, so they always paid out of pocket-even now. I always had the insurance growing up. I'd be curious to see what the dentist says about their teeth. Nicholas has a lot of space in his mouth with an overbite(I think). And Anthony's teeth are all in there perfectly lined up with no space and a slight overbite as well. If he utters one word about needing braces in the future, I think it'd be wise to get insurance!

I hope dh brought home good news about the insurance! And don't fret-my last cleaning was in July-and it had been 3.5 years since I had gone......

 

We don't have dental insurance, and I've paid out of pocket to take each of my kids once to the dentist. It was a pediatric one, and they suggested the I stay in the waiting room, but when I didn't look happy about that, they told me to come back. So I did. My girls got Xrays and a full cleaning for $175. Expensive, but in my case, the dental insurance would actually cost more than 2 cleanings a year for the four of us.

(sorry - hit publish too soon)

Give your dentist a call and see if they'd take child patients, and how much they'll charge if you pay cash (or credit card). I'm going to take my girls to my regular dentist next time -- the pediatric one creeped me out a bit with all the stuffed animals and expectations that the kids needed videos and games to play while they got their teeth cleaned.

 

My kids went for their first dentist appointment on their 3rd birthday. Before that, they asked that they sit in my lap during my appointment so they wouldn't be scared. Marcus had his teeth counted, checked, cleaned, and even got a fluoride treatment. Jonathan had his teeth counted the first two times, because that is all he would allow. That dentist was my regular dentist. When they were in 1st grade we switched to a pediatric dentist--for logistical reasons. My dentist was an hour away, and once they were in school full time, that became too far to go. The pediatric dentist is great, and the kids love him!

FYI, tooth decay really does have a lot more to do with their teeth, and how they are grooved and spacing than how much you brush. My neighbors kids brush religiously 2 times a day, and both have many cavities. I am lucky to get mine to brush once a day, and Marc has one cavity and Jon none.

 

We didn't start taking the kids until they were 4 yrs old. We also just see a family dentist not a ped dentist. Sean just started going back last year on his own, when he was 8.

 

I have good dental insurance, thankfully, but I didn't add my boys until they turned 3. Since then, they've went twice (6 mos apart). While the Pediatric Dentist in town is a bit pricier than a regular dentist, we still chose to go with the Pediatric one because of the kid-friendly atmosphere. There's a SLIDE in the waiting room & the kids watch movies while they get their teeth cleaned! *I* want to go there . The first visit both boys got the full mouth xrays. Neither made a peep! Both visits they have both gotten their teeth counted, brushed with a regular brush, brushed with the polisher thing, sprayed with the water (and then sucked up with the straw), & flossed. They've gotten fluoride painted on both times, too (which the dentist said is really important). Our dentist also gives the kids 'money' to put into little vending machine things that give them a little prize (I'm telling ya, I hit the jack pot on awesome dentists!). When my son Aiden stopped sucking his thumb, all the hygienists & the dentists sang & yelled & threw a big to-do. He even got a free tshirt. He was so proud.

I hate going to the dentist, but I'm anal about good dental hygiene. It's important to me to have my kids' teeth looked at. I would definitely pay $100 twice a year to have them seen. However, I would NOT go to a place where I wasn't allowed with my kids or where my kids' teeth were just 'looked' at. Go to a GOOD dentist. Research ones in your area...a lot of regular dentists see kids & do good. Ask your friends where they take their kids (which is how we found ours). A good dentist is worth the money.

(Side note, I found out my kids have some odd genetic thing with their teeth that makes them more apt to get cavities. Knowing that, I'm even more vigilant to get them into the dentist. Had I not taken them in, I would've never known!)

Good luck with your decision. To me, dental check ups are just as important as well child checks...

 

My kids went for the first time 5 months ago, so a they were a little over 2 years old. We found a really great pediatric dentist near our house. They counted their teeth, cleaned them and painted on fluoride. They had us come back with them and the kids sat on our laps. I'm glad we got to go back, I think it helped to ease their worries. Luckily I have good dental insurance, so it only cost about $60 for both of them. I'll continue to take them in every 6 months.

 

We went to a family dentist growing up. I would think that if you don't like the pediatric dentist you might look for a family friendly dentist. Also letting them watch you get your teeth cleaned right before you take them can be helpful. If someone can help you with them while you get your teeth cleaned.

My boys see a pediatric dentist. They go every 6 months since they were a year old. We have dental insurance which covers their visits so I figure we should use it.

They get their teeth checked, cleaned if needed and a floride coating put on.