Serious Damn Question: Should I go into the exam room with my 6yo for his dental appointment?

Question

I can't imagine letting him go into a room with two virtual strangers without my presence, but I just don't know what's the "right" thing to do here...

Should I be in the room while he gets his dental work done (a filling)... or should I wait outside? What do YOU do when your kid goes to the dentist?

Answer 1

absolutely. you should go in with him. I had a horrible experience with letting my son go in alone. they tied him down to the table and pretty much tortured him. I asked WTF was going on and they said they had to do what they had to do to get the job done. I never took him back there. He still remembers that crappy moment and he refuses to go to the dentist now. I felt so horrible after that. I have 2 other kids...NEVER AGAIN will I let any of them go inside the exam room alone. NEVER! If they are gonna get dental work done, I stand right outside the room so I wont be in anyone's way but I'm still able to see everything that's going on in there. But good luck with your son if you decide to let him go in alone. Take care.

Answer 2

I always go in with my daughter, who is 7, and sometimes even with my son who is 11. Personally, I would feel uncomfortable with any dentist or doctor that would not allow me to be in the room with my child while they were working on her or him. I used to take my daughter to a different dentist who did not allow parents to go back, and I think it actually caused more fear and discomfort for my daughter than when I am there with her. Not to mention - with all of the accusations against doctors, priests, and other professionals regarding "inappropriate touching", I just don't think I would feel comfortable not being there. The best way to prevent something like that is to be there...

Answer 3

Yes, it would help him stay calm if you went with him. Kids feel more comfortable with someone there that they know. I took my granddaughter once when she was around that age.

On the other hand, I once took my daughter at a slightly older age and waited in the waiting room. She ran out of the examining room with a blood curdling scream. The dentist refused to see her after that and I had to take her elsewhere.

Ah the good old days!

Answer 4

I go in the room. You don't have to look at the work, just make sure nothing inappropriate is being done. Besides, sometimes it can make the child feel better just having you there. Dentist offices are creepy.

Answer 5

Ask your son and see what he wants honey. If he wants you to go back - then by all means go. If he wants to go on his own - let him. Sometimes they do better if you're with them sometimes they don't. If you trust the dentist and he wants to go in alone - let him. One filling on a six year old takes no time and is virtually pain free. Take a xannie before you go. If the dentist is worth a $hit he'll give you one. ♥

Answer 6

I still go in with my teens to the doctors, but our pediatric dentist has big open rooms with six chairs or so in each one, so they are never alone 1:1 with anyone. So they always go without me for the dental exams.

Answer 7

I have three kids and I'm an Auntie to 5 children as well. None of them ever go it alone, never happens. If the dentist doesn't like it, that's too damn bad. Once my children are old enough to drive themselves to the appointment, then they can go it alone. Until then, I'm going in with them. I vote on going in with him, Mommy.

Answer 8

I have always went into the room, they had a chair ready for me, but my daughter went to a pediatric dentist, there may be other rules at other offices, it wouldn't hurt to ask your child, then the dentist, I am sure it will work out!

Answer 9

Wait outside

Answer 10

The dentist that my grandkids go to they wont let you back there. But I'm lucky because my good friend works back there and she always comes out to get them when they go.