Maybe because I work for a dentist, but I think that there comes a point when parents need to stay in the waiting room. In my field, most of the time they are in the way. Now, I don't mean for normal exam appointments, where the parent has questions and needs to hear diagnosises, but when actual treatment is being done. I don't go in the room when my son has had dental work, unless I was the one working on him. Where exactly does a parent draw the line and allow the child to go in by theirself? Both to the normal doctor or the dentist.
2006-10-02 15:36:26 · 16 answers · asked by LittleMermaid 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I can remember being 9 years old and having the pediatrician talk to me about pubic hair and breasts. I dang sure didn't want my mom in there with me. When I take my 10 yrs old to the Dr., I let him speak for himself. Now, I do fill in the blanks and clarify stuff, but he is not an idiot. He can tell the doctor that he has had a sore throat all week. I am not talking about young children, like under 8 or 9, but there has to come a time when we give then a little privacy. I ask my son if he wants me to go in. The mom who said that she would go in until her daughter was 15 or 16 is too smothering. I would have threw a major fit if my mom tried to do that at that age.
2006-10-02 15:56:57 · update #1
Unless you work in my field, you will not understand why many dentists don't want parents in the room. Most parents can't let the dentist and his assistant be in charge, which is what a child in the dentist chair needs. They have to be right up in our business and have to constantly talk to the kid, when the kid needs to be listening to us. In my office, you could walk your rear right back out the door. I couldn't care less. If you don't trust us enough to do the work without you hovering over us, then we will "invite" you to leave.
2006-10-02 16:00:19 · update #2
i can't remember ever having my mom come into the dentist's room with me... as for the doctor i was going in alone at 10 and up, if i remember correctly. there is no need for a parent to be there... what if your child has a concern they feel embarrased about talking abouit in front of their mom? also, kids need to learn to handle being alone with other adults and answering questions for themselves.. they need to be able to talk with another adult and articulate their symptoms to a doctor..
2006-10-02 16:08:32 · answer #1 · answered by butwhatdoiknow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the dentist because we haven't taken our son yet. (12 months old) But, I do know for a fact at our pediatrician's office it clearly states in the waiting room and in the rooms that a parent must accompany their child until the age of 18.
I'm sure this is to protect the patient and the Dr.
I will be in the room with my child. The same goes for his dentist appt's. I don't know if you have heard but, a dentist here in chicago killed a 5yr old patient last weekend. They gave her 3 different sedations and didn't put monitors on her. She went into acoma and her parents took her off of life support 3 days later.
2006-10-02 15:45:32 · answer #2 · answered by jakesmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that there are several things to consider here. One thing is the age of the child, but another is the maturity level of the child. If the child can express their needs to the doctor and does not want their parent there then that is one thing. You must also consider that in this day and age, parents are protecting their children from lots of "bad guys"--doctors and other professionals included. I'm not sure i would want my 11 year old in a room alone with another adult without me there even though she is comfortable without me. I've spent a lot of time is health care facilities and beleive everyone need to have an advocate present to protect their health and quality of care. I do not interfere with my children's care, but I DO question. If HC porviders are not comfortable with that, I find a new one. It is my responsibilty to protect my chid(ren)
2006-10-02 16:42:47 · answer #3 · answered by sm2f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dentist is so different then a Dr. My daughter is 5 and I let her sit for her dentist exam alone-we have been seeing the same dentist since I have had teeth. As for the Dr-no way in h3ll till she is 15 or 16. Even then I was sooo uncomfortable when I went alone at 15.
2006-10-02 15:39:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being a parent myself, I would have to say a parent should stay w/their child until the parent can see that their child is mature enough to remember things, know right from wrong, and can confide in you to tell them what happens in the room. To let you know what the doctor said and/or done in the exam room.
2006-10-02 15:41:41 · answer #5 · answered by Tweetalette 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow good question......I have a girl just turned 17 and in general during the docs I still go in with her......BUT this is more due to the fact that we are having some serious health issues with her and as such are seeing a lot of specialists, so I doubt that I would still be going in with her if it was not for that set of circumstances.
I suppose the actual reply to that is when MY child is comfortable with me not being there and not when it is convenient to the provider
As regard the dentist I state what I want looked at, and then In general I wait in the waiting room.
2006-10-02 15:55:45 · answer #6 · answered by candy g 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the dentist...whenever the kid feels comfortable going alone, but probably around 12ish if not sooner, for the doctor - could be anywhere up to 18 depending on the kid and their own comfort level.
2006-10-02 15:45:20 · answer #7 · answered by radiancia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If ANY health care "professional" spoke to absolutely anyone with the nasty, disrespectful tone displayed in this question, I would immediately ask to speak to their supervisor. If the rude, ignorant (as displayed in the butchery of the English language in this post), person is the highest authority in the office, I would quickly leave and start making calls to every parent I know warning them about the situation.
My oldest child is 15, and I ask him, and my 13 year old daughter, if they want me along on every appointment. So far, they always say yes. Their dentist thanks me every time for helping to keep my children calm and ensure they pay attention to all instructions.
In any medical visit, my knowledge of our family, & their personal history makes me an asset every time. Nobody will ever prevent me from being there for my children. Anyone who tried would be raising an immediate red flag about why they were so keen on having "private time" with my young, vulnerable child.
2015-11-07 05:50:15 · answer #8 · answered by LaSayle M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
personally I don't feel there is an age. My son was 16 when I last went in with him but that's because he wanted me there. There was one time I did leave so the Dr could talk to him alone. I felt it would be more appropriate
2006-10-02 15:45:04 · answer #9 · answered by red 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dentist 7 or 8.
Doctor 11 or later if the kid is a needy little bastard that HAS to have mommy or daddy with them at all times.
2006-10-02 18:21:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋