When reporting for an appoint with my 3 year old daughter this morning, the dental assistant told me that I'd have to remain in the waiting room. When I asked, "You don't allow a parent to be present during the examination and treatment of a 3 year old?" She responded; "That's our policy." I've never enountered this kind of limitation where such a small child is concerned; Not with our previous dentist, not with doctor's visists, etc. With older school age children or teens, this would be more understandable, but not with a child that young. I've reviewed the Texas Board of Licensure's rules of professional conduct, and this issue is not addressed.
2007-03-22 06:31:37 · 11 answers · asked by Doc T 1 in Health ➔ Dental
It's perfectly legal & ethical for them to do treatment without you present in the room. If you are uncomfortable with that policy, find another dental office that will allow you to be present in the room. From my own experience, it's often better when the child comes back by themselves. Parents tend to freak the kids out even more.
2007-03-22 09:45:10 · answer #1 · answered by justine 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some dentists feel this makes the child more anxious or makes them unable to focus when tying to keep thier mouth open, however others feel the child behaves better with the parent their.
Every office sets its own rules just as any other private business sets its own rules.
However it is more common then not for dentists to allow the parents to go into the back. I always accompany my 4 year old back and rememebr when I was little I always wanted my mom with me as well. My best friends son though has had to see his dentist a lot and is very comftorable with him and goes back alone. It should be up to you.
I would look at your child and see what suits your child best.
If you or your child would prefer that you accompany her tehn I would tell the dentists (or assistants) very politely that you will not let your child go back there without you. If they still insist that you are not allowed to accompany your child that is their right and I would go find a better dentist.
Think of it this way, if thats how they handle a child who may be uncomftorable from the begining what do you think they would do to calm the child down when you are not there with such harsh policies.
In my opinion if the the dentist is so stubourn they wont let the parent back then they are not as experienced with children as they may claim and there may be more issues down the road with their treatment or policies with your child.
2007-03-22 06:46:34 · answer #2 · answered by slawsayssss 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is legal, ethical, and usually the most effective method for insuring cooperation and good behavior from the child. Dental schools include this in their pediatric dentistry curriculum. To learn more contact the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (http://www.aapd.org/ ) Children are much more likely to exhibit difficult behavior when they have an audience. Pediatric offices commonly provide dental treatment for children in one large room though a parent may view the treatment through a window looking into the treatment area.
2007-03-22 09:09:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is their policy, and a very bad one. By law, medical professionals must allow a patient to have someone else present during any examination, at least under certain circumstances. See HIPAA.
Law or not, this is a terrible dentist, who would have such a policy for children. You have the absolute right (and responsibility, in fact) to accompany your child during examinations.
You should contact the American Dental Association or whatever professional association this dentist belongs to.
2007-03-22 06:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by Jay 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
well I'm in Kansas City .. I have 3 daughters... my oldest had dental issues... and had to have a tooth extracted and spacer put in at age 3 .. anyways.. the 1st dentist I took her too .. I had good reviews on him etc.. he wrote a children's book.. blah blah .. blah.. (PS i was preg. with my 2ND at the time and very hormonal) anyhow.. said the same thing.. and asked me not to be in there with her.. he then came out.. and said.. his words.. exactly " we weren't able to get it done.. because she was too upset"... "We are going to have to put her under general anesthesia or else I'm going to make HAMBURGER out of her mouth"... as a nurse and a premed student.. BS biology.. IT was absolutely the worst.. BED SIDE manner I had ever came across.. scared me and my child.. I found a new children's dentist.. he is so nice.. so calm and friendly .. have had nothing but good experiences from him.. my oldest is now 13 with a great smile... I was so worried.. she would then be afraid of the dentist after that experience... IF You are not comfortable leaving your child alone in there seek a new dentist.. I believe the logic behind it is so the child doesn't get upset... cry and want you to hold him/her.... but my experience of this was truly awful... GOOD LUCK >>>
2007-03-22 06:40:41 · answer #5 · answered by jane d 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't believe it is a law, nor an ethical issue. it was this dentist's office's policy - however, you should have been notified of this prior to the appointment. if it were my office, i would want the parent there for comfort purposes.
if you don't agree with this policy, then definitely go to another dentist. and next time, ask before you make an appointment.
2007-03-22 07:28:23 · answer #6 · answered by SmartAleck 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely find another dentist. What is going on back there that they don't want you to see?
Some parents coddle the child and make the situation worse and I am sure this is why they do this. Still, they are treating the child and the parent and need to respect your wish to be present.
2007-03-22 06:35:58 · answer #7 · answered by JEREMY S 2 · 7⤊ 1⤋
you are the legal guardian of said child that cant order you to stay out of the exam room, u have the right to be present durring your childs treatment, they need to read up on there HIPPA laws because im sure thats what there basing there judgment on if u can be in there or not on.
2007-03-22 06:59:17 · answer #8 · answered by backdraft51185 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i would have told them it's your policy to be present if they want your child as a client.
their perspective is probably that parents can get emotional if their child starts crying or screaming; they probably had a bad experience with this.
2007-03-22 06:35:39 · answer #9 · answered by chris m 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Thats weird im 20 and sometimes still bring my sister or my dad to go along with me so i wont be alone..they never told me i couldnt have someone in with me..
2007-03-22 06:34:36 · answer #10 · answered by bebekaychic 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋