Dentist question

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Dentist question
12
Wed, 02-14-2007 - 1:26pm

I need some advice here.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
In reply to: pamww
Wed, 02-14-2007 - 2:46pm

We went through this with Eric about a year ago. At age 4 he needed several fillings in his baby teeth (GUILT!!!). Our first ever visit to a randomly chosen local dentist went terribly, terribly wrong. I asked around, and found a pediatric dentist that had experience with special needs kids. She also teaches at the local university. I visited the office and quizzed her down before taking him.

Yes, she is a bit more expensive, but worth it. She managed to counter-act the psycholgical damage done by Dr. Evil Dentist. Now Eric loves to go to the dentist.

Here is what she did. I know your son is older and ok with dental visits. Eric had to get over the fear, but here is what she did. First visit, just "get to know you" showed him all the gadgets, let him play with the water squirter, let him play with moving the chair up and down etc. Then she spaced out each filling over about a month (not all at once.)

First she gave him "laughing gas" just a wiff. She numbed his gum with something on a cotton pad first before using the needle. He was fine. She did not keep the mask over his face, the nurse just kept it near his face so he could breathe it, if that makes sense. Just relaxed him. He was not "sedated" totally conscious and actually quite delightful! We wish we had a tank of the stuff at home!

They did not take x-rays though, I am not sure why. Maybe bc he is so young, so I can't address that. I actually have that gag thing too, so I sympathize with your son!

Also, if it matters to you, ask what the filling will be made out of. I'm on the fence about mercury/metals but you can have the filling made from other things and that is what we did.

One thing to consider, pediatric dentists have smaller instruments, chairs etc. Making it more comfortable for little guys.

This dentist, bc she has many special needs patients also has cool sensory toys in each of the examining rooms, lava lamps, murals on the walls of planets. I just love her! I wish she were MY dentist.

Anyway, for us it was worth it to ask around amongst your ASD parent friends, call the local ASA about dentist and the univerisities. Eric is really orally defensive, plus after the bad experience, we needed someone with great bedside manner and TLC!

Probably more than you wanted to know, hope that helps!

Katherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
In reply to: pamww
Wed, 02-14-2007 - 3:00pm

Hi,
Well took my 7 yr old (6 at the time) to a special dentist who only treated children and gave him this sleepy juice. He had alot of work that needed to be done, and I thought this way might be the best route. I have a tremondous fear of dentists and didn't want him to pick up the same phobia lol.

Anyway, sometimes that sleepy juice doesn't work, so we had to make the decision of putting him out entirely. We choose it and they did everything at once.

I wouldn't jump to do that, but in our case it really was necessary. Otherwise I just don't know how it would of been done.

The gas things sounds like a good idea. This dentist didn't have gas.

Lainie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: pamww
Wed, 02-14-2007 - 7:36pm
I say sedate if you can. That is the only Sam can go to the dentist. He has severe oral aversions and just will not open his mouth to have a regular cleaning. It is about 350-400 for us. Fortunatly Sam has medicaid and they pick up the tab.
Susan, mom to Sam 8 and Connor 5


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Susan, mom to Sam 11 and Connor 9
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: pamww
Wed, 02-14-2007 - 8:14pm

Pam,


I recommend you find a true pediatric dentist -not a family practice dentist who sees both kids and grownups. dentist. In this state, a pediatric dentist has to

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2005
In reply to: pamww
Wed, 02-14-2007 - 9:39pm

Glad I read this thread.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: pamww
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 1:39pm

I agree! Our family dentist (love him, too!) didn't want to tackle NT ds teeth because he needed a lot of work, and the dentist was afraid of making it an unpleasant experience (tho' he's been great at pulling AS dd teeth without upsetting her, either). So, he referred us to pediatric dentist whom we love. We were happily surprised to discover that insurance covers it just as much as they cover our family dentist. We now have two kids at each dentist 'cus we didn't want to leave either practice!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: pamww
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 10:41pm

I have had the same problem with Haley. They gave her gas first and then the shot of Novocaine. Since she had the gas first, she wasn't even aware of the shot. It went very well.

X-rays have always been an issue with her because her gag reflex is extremely touchy. She is learning how to deal with it now I think but for awhile, she would vomit almost every time. :(

Haley has had a lot of dental work done now including lots of orthodontics and she has managed pretty well with it. :)

Jill



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Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
In reply to: pamww
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 12:18am

Not sure if my opinion counts, but I, personally, have a horrific fear of dentist. In fact, I have to have Valium the night before an appointment, just to get in the chair!

My choice is always a bit o' laughing gas. It calms me down, without having to be put under. Not sure if this is an option for your situation, but if it is, I would encourage it over complete sedation. Total sedation is scary for anybody...for a young child, it can be overwhelmingly terrifying.

GL...this is a "yucky" situation to be in.

Amy




Edited 2/16/2007 12:20 am ET by manec93

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
In reply to: pamww
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 1:24am

Oh Amy I know how you feel as I have a terrifying feeling over dentists....

My first experience was horrible, and I could never get over it. When my youngest son had to have work done on him, I paced back and forth in the lobby. I told the front receptionist's that I felt I needed the "Happy Juice Cocktail" along with him lol

It was so bad....They agreed lol

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2000
In reply to: pamww
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 9:17am

Amy, can I ask you about the Valium? That's Carl's dentist's latest strategy. He had actually been improving, but for whatever reason his last (attempted) dentist visit was just awful. They ended things after 5 minutes and gave me an Rx for Valium. So I've got it in the fridge now for his Mon AM appointment (I'm not even gonna try to get him to swallow a pill; I had it compounded into a liquid at a compounding pharmacy!).


How sleepy does it make you? How long does it last? And how effective is it?


Thanks! Lynda :-)

Lynda, Carl (12/1/99) and Erica (6/18/03)

Lynda, Carl (12/1/99) and Erica (6/18/03)

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