Visiting the Dentist
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Visiting the Dentist
Aug 2008
Can I get a reality check on dental practices?
I found a dentist in the BPN recommendation archives several
years ago. I went in for a cleaning twice a year and had one or
two other dental procedures done, and was pleased with him and
the practice.
Six months ago I went in for a cleaning, and was told that I
would not see him for the usual after-cleaning check
because ''the doctor only checks your teeth every other visit''
after the hygenist does her work. I was surprised and
disappointed because that had not been the case before, but
accepted that this was the new policy.
I made another appointment six months out, for the one Saturday
a month he works weekends. As I settled in the chair, I told
the hygenist that I was looking forward to seeing Dr. Forbes
because I had a sore tooth. She told me he had just left for
the day!!
So now that he's blown me off twice, I am looking for another
dentist (I'll check the archives again).
But my question is, is this now common practice (the hygenist
says the ''every other appointment'' is)? All my life the dentist
has automatically done a quick check after the cleaning. What
am I entitled to expect these days? Not to shortchange the
hygenists, but frankly if all I need is a cleaning I could go
to a dental school and let the students brush my teeth for a
lot less money.
Brushed off
I recently had a similar experience with the ''every other check
up'' thing with a dentist. I REALLY like the place we go and
have been very happy with their care overall. After my last
check up, which was only my second one with them, there was an
additional $54 charge on my bill. When I called about it, I
was told that was for the dentist coming in and looking at my
teeth. I was pretty put off. I thought I got the usual ''do
you want the doctor to come in and take a look?'' and I said
yes, just thinking why not? When I asked about it, I was also
told that he only does that every other visit...and it costs
$54. That's a pretty steep charge for about 1-2 minutes of
work. Since I called and complained about it, they took the
charge off my bill. So I will probably keep going to this
dentist, but unless I have an issue, I will probably opt out of
the $54 look. As I said, I really do like the staff and the
dentist. His name is Douglas Gordon in Pinole.
teeth are clean
Nope, I've never run into the ''every other time'' policy. My
dentist always meets with me and looks at my teeth after the
hygienist is done, and so does my 10-year-old son's dentist. (And
if you need the referral, my son has been seeing Dr. Perry in
Alameda for 8 years; we think Dr. Perry's whole practice is
pretty great.)
Kathleen
I go to the dentist regularly and almost never see the
dentist....I think she only comes in when the hygenist is unsure
about something (or if I am having a procedure done, of course).
Maybe they do actually have a schedule; if so, it is at most
every other visit. The hygenists are wonderful, though. I'd never
really noticed it until seeing your post!
I love my Dentist, Caroline Peterson on College Ave, near
Broadway- she only checks my teeth after cleaning about once a
year also- I think it is because my dental insurance (Delta) only
pays the extra charge for that once a year, though they pay for 2
cleanings per year. I hope that solves the mystery. However it
doesn't excuse your dentist for slipping out. Next time I would
call in advance and let them know you had an issue before the
appointment so they could plan on it.
happy with dental care
My dentist cleans my teeth himself, so he checks my teeth while
he is working on them. Dentists charge the same price when a
hygienist does your teeth, but they keep half of the money for
themselves, so the only reason to have a hygienist do the
cleaning is to make more profit. I would switch to a dentist who
will do the cleaning himself. Tell him/her you had a bad
experience with a hygienist in the past and are now deathly
afraid of hygienists.
Loyal patient
June 2005
At a recent visit to my daughter's dentist, the dentist asked
that I not be in the room with her during her dental procedure.
I also had my 17 month old son with us, so I could understand
that he might be too much of a distraction. The dentist
mentioned however that this is the practice at most pediatric
dental offices, as the parent might, through gesture or
emotional response, suggest more fear or apprehention for the
child than if the child were alone. While I can understand this
to a certain degree, my daughter is only 5 and I had not until
this appointment been asked to not be present with her. It is
not that I don't trust this dentist, as I have known her for
years, however, the dentist did not like me coming in at the
end of the appointment to check in and see how my daughter was
doing and I feel that I had a right to check on my daughter.
My questions are: Does anyone know if it is ''normal'' practice
for a child to see their dentist without the parent in the
room? Does anyone have a recommendation for a dentist for a 5
year old in the Oakland/San Leandro area? Thank you.
Jill
It is absolutely NOT protocol to ask the parent to leave the
room during a medical or dental procedure (except for
procedures like xrays, obviously) I've fallen for this ploy
exactly twice in the 15 years and 2 kids that I've been a
parent and will never fall for it again. In my experience it
usually means the provider is insecure about their ability to
work on your child and I don't want anyone who is insecure
about their capabilities working on my children. I also very
much resent providers making assumptions about how my kids will
respond. Just say NO and find another dentist for your child.
There is a great pediatric dental office at Solano and
Ensenada. Can't remember the name, we outgrew the practice
awhile ago. They are often recommended here and are very good
with kids though on the expensive side.
just say no and leave
We recently started seeing Dr. Laurie Shepherd, on advice from
friends. I have taken both my four-year-old and my six-year-old
for their first appointments. I was in the room for both. My
six-year-old went to a different dentist two years ago, whose
name I can't now remember, but I was in the office then, too.
So I think your dentist may be handing you a line of hooey. If
you're not comfortable not being in the room (and I know I
wouldn't be), I'd recommend looking for another dentist, and
specifically asking that question when speaking with the
receptionist.
Good Luck!
Laurel
That is not the norm at my son's dentist and, my thought is, if
it makes you uncomfortable, don't go back there. In fact,
because of some bad experiences I had at a dentist when I was a
child, I was adament that I be in the room with my son for all
procedures when I was calling around to find a dentist for my
son. The place he goes to is awesome and many of my
friends/family are now taking their children there. My son had 5
cavities filled on one visit and my husband and I both were there
the whole time. When my husband showed up as well, they didn't
even flinch and just got another chair for him. It is called
Alamada Pediatric Dentistry and his dentist is Dr. Perry. I
don't have the number handy, but if you want it, please feel free
to e-mail me. If you can't make it to Alameda, I do recall that
there were a few other offices I had called that said it was fine
to be in the room. But, I absolutely think it's worth the drive
to Alameda. Good Luck!
Nancy
Both of my kids have been seeing dentist Dr. Neil Katsura in Berkeley
for years. Parents always are welcome to sit in the exam area (which is
completely open with several stations, and includes chairs for the
parents to sit in as well)...talk to both the kid and the dentist during the
exam or procedure...and there are games for the kids to play, etc. We've
all felt comfortable and welcome...able to come and hold a child's hand
if needed...The transparency of the whole scene actually has the affect
of decreasing stress and normalizing going to the dentist...a far cry from
my own experiences as a child.
We also see the orthodontists at Berkeley Orthodontics (which is located
upstairs from Katsura's office on Ensenada in Berkeley), and the same
protocol exists. Parents can sit in chairs right by their kids and talk
directly to the orthodontist and other staff people.
I don't know about other offices.
Laura
The last time a children's dentist told me I couldn't be in the
room with my child during a procedure was the last time we saw
that dentist.
I've NEVER been told by our other dentist/s that I couldn't be
in the room.In fact there were times when I sat in the chair and
my child sat in my lap.
A DDS experience can be really scarey for a little person. I
think it's essential to have mom or dad right there. My 2 cents.
anon
As a dentist who treats children, I sometimes find that the
patient does better without the parent in the room. But as a
parent it would also alarm me that the dentist was upset with
you coming in at the end of the visit. There might be another
explanation but I don't have enough information to let you know
if something was out of line. You don't mention whether your
daughter handles appointments well and whether it was for an
easy procedure (cleaning/checkup) or something more challenging
(filling,extraction, etc). My recommendation for an excellent
pediatric dentist is Neil Katsura although he is in Berkeley 510-
848-6494
cynthia
Whether this is standard practice or not, you certainly don't
have to agree to it if you are not comfortable with it. If the
dentist refuses to allow you in, I would advise seeing another
dentist.
I take my 7 year-old daughter to Madelyn Ballard in Berkeley
(510) 845-2350). Her offices are ''open'' (no doors!) and I have
always come in with her. I even brought my 18 month old son to
her most recent appointment. After my daughter's check-up and
cleaning, Dr. Ballard had me sit in the dental chair with my son
on my lap and just looked in his mouth so he could get used to
the idea of going to the dentist. My daughter was initially very
afraid of dentists, but has really warmed to Dr. Ballards gentle
touch and child-friendly techniques.
Ariel
When my daughter's previous pediatric dentist made the same request
of me (to not be in the room when a procedure was being done) I voiced
my complaint, left the office, and never returned. I found a wonderful
pediatric practice in Berkeley (Drs. Wampler, Katsura et al) where
parents are always allowed to remain with their children, and we have
been happy ever since. Trust your instincts! If this doesn't feel right to
you, it's not right for your child. My daughter has had a lot of dental work
done and I've always been with her. Ditto for medical procedures. It
probably makes it easier for the dentist, but it's not your job to make it
easier for the dentist. Your job is to be available for your child's needs.
Judy
What group of pediatric dentists has yours polled to come up
with his ''protocol''? My daughter has been seeing Dr. Denise
Bass Allen in Oakland (763-2022) for more than 6 years, and I've
always been invited to stay with her during the exam. In fact,
at the age of 3, she was placed on my lap as I sat in the
patient's chair because Dr. Allen could see it would calm my
daughter's first-dental-exam anxiety. Now she's 9-1/2, and I
suppose I could sit in the waiting room, but I want to know what
the hygenist and dentist are telling her about dental care. I
don't know if Dr. Allen or her partner are taking new patients,
but it's a wonderful practice.
Lorraine
I have been to three different pediatric dentists and I was
encouraged and expected to be in the examination room with every
one. One was down in Los Gatos, but the others were Dr.
Bass-Allen and Dr. Miyahara. We preferred Dr. Miyahara's office
and will continue to see her. Good luck finding a dentist that
works for you.
Laurel
April 2005
I am considering taking my child (3yrs.old) to my dentist for the regular
checkups. I took her to a pediatric dentist the first time, and I thought my own
dentist would be just as good and half price. She wasn't to impressed with
tricks and toys anyway. I figure that if a problem arises I can always take her to
a pediatric one.
It would be helpful to have some inputs from people that do it too!
Mom
The first time my daughter saw a dentist, I took her to my
dentist, figuring it would be nice for her to see me having my
teeth cleaned first. And she was tolerated it just fine, but
after reading the reviews here about Dr. Bob Khalil, a
pediatric dentist, I took her to him for her next checkup (age
3) and she LOVED him. I think she was much more comfortable
with the staff, who were used to dealing with kids, and happier
in the chair, which was smaller. Now she talks about how much
she likes Dr. Bob and how much she loves going to the dentist.
Your child might not care, or she might not care until she is
older--mine was fine with the adult dentist, but much happier
with the pediatric one.
A Believer in Pediatric Dentists
I took my 3-year-old son to my regular dentist, and he did just fine. She
was calm and matter of fact with him, and he allowed her to do all the
necessary procedures with no fuss.
Karen
Hi - I'm with you on switching to a non-pediatric dentist. It
seems to me that they've got quite a scam going that they can
charge twice the prices for the same services as adults get.
All for extra toys (like we don't have enough junk around the
house to stumble over) and bubblegum flavored toothpaste.
After one trip to the ped-dentist I bailed and took my kids to
my regular dentist. I figured the same as you, if something
comes up that requires someone specialized in pediatric
dentistry then I'll go back, but not for regular check-ups and
cleaning. Not worth it in my book.
- Tired of being overcharged
My dentist said he wouldn't bother taking a child in to a
dentist before they are 4 or 5 (he has a toddler like I do).
The only reason he recommended taking one in would be if you
detected brown spots on the teeth, which would indicate tooth
decay.
kim
Hi - if you dentist is not experienced with children, I would go
to a pediatric dentist. We took our daughter to one for her
first visit at 3 y old and they were really good with her and
very understanding when it absolutely did not work the first
time (they didn't even charge us) -- thankfully, it did work the
second time and they were able to examine and clean and polish
her teeth (with her lying on top of her father).
Ioana
My take on this is that you don't need a pediatric dentist.
Much of their pull is gimmickry and marketing, to make parents
belive that they have something special to offer their
children. We have 2 children and took them to 3 different
pediatric dentists in the East Bay in the past 8 years, before
taking them to our own ''regular'' (non-pediatric) dentist in
Berkeley who my son has dubbed the ''nicest grownup'' he has ever
met. We began with a pediatric dentist in a well-respected group
in Berkeley after our son chipped his tooth at the age of 12
months. Then when they didn't ake our insurance anymore, we
tried Dr. Matsuishi in El Cerrito, with all of his ceiling TV's,
video games, balloons, x-rays, etc. It was a tad demoralizing
to be called into the ''business office'' of his suite while his
employee determined how much of our visit would be covered by
our insurance even before our son saw him. A couple of years
later, we took our 3 year old daughter to a different pediatric
dentist in Berkeley who found numerous cavities and had staffers
administer a strong sedative to her in a very traumatic,
insensitive manner. We have since learned that much of this work
was unnecessary.
anon
Go to the pediatric dentist. They have tricks to disarm your
little one, and even if you think your child doesn't care, it
will make your life easier. Plus they know what to look for,
what kinds of questions to ask, how to educate you, how to
educate the child. It's very intrusive to have a stranger poke
around in your mouth. At least forthe first time, make it a good
experience. If it doesn't seem worth it to you, you can always
try your own dentist afterward.
jan
My daughter is almost 5 and has been going to my dentist since
she was 2. She has never been to another dentist. My dentist
says that if he finds a problem he will tell me to take her to a
pediatric dentist. Funny thing, my dentist is sort of gruff and
all business with me, but much friendlier and animated with my
daughter.
--no cavities
I assume you've talked to your dentist about bringing your
little one. If he, she?...forgot..sorry..isn't phased by the
cutsey stuff in a ped. dentist office, then your family dentist,
assuming he/she is good with kids should be fine.
Our kids started seeing our family dentist when they were 5 ish.
He's an older guy, very gentle and savvy to kids ways. My older
son never knew he was getting a shot because of the way the DDS
handled my son and the injection. I say go for it.
anon
I was always skeptical about pediatric dentists. I took my first
two kids to the same dentist I was going to, but my third child
has been going to a pediatric dentist. Now I have to say, I
really like the pediatric dentist better. Not so much because I
think the dentist is more skilled, but more just the little
things. Like, all the chairs are kid-sized, so the kids aren't
reclining on a huge chair having their teeth looked at. The
waiting room is kid friendly. The examining room is open, so
that several kids can be in there at the same time, which I think
is comforting to kids. There are chairs and magazines for the
parents in the examining room, so your child has you there, and
you can watch, without getting in the way of the dentist. The
dentists are good with kids - that's their specialty - and they
see kids all day long, day after day, so they really know how to
talk to them, and make them feel comfortable. We go to the
Wampler/Katsura group - I think they are great.
Ginger
When my son turned three years old I took him to a much
recommended pediatric dentist in Berkeley (Regent St) and it
cost me $125!!! The dentist and his staff spent less than 15
minutes on my son's teeth. Well, enough of that waste of money
and racket! I sent him to my dentist, Dr. Barry Kami, who
charged $70-$80 to clean my son's teeth. They provided him a
fun, pampered atmosphere and a great goody bag. He loved it,
and I now schedule our appointments together, which so much
easier on my schedule. My advice, don't waste the money on a
pediatric dentist(unless your child as some pretty serious
dental problems) especially if your dentist can serve children
well.
anon
Nov 2004
i just took my 2.5 year old to the dentist for the first time and
was slightly alarmed by suggestions of flouride treatments and
x-rays. i'm wondering A) what any holistic health practitioners
and/or knowledgable folks out there think about this and B)if
there are other more holistic pediatric dentists that people know
about. also, how necessary (and how often) does the dentist need
to occur at this age, from a holistic viewpoint, and what about
the regular cleanings? my son just barely let the dentist look in
his mouth at his teeth (of course it was his first time, but
still-- the dentist and assistant were very charming and he liked
them), and i wonder about having some kind of mechanical thing in
his mouth. by the way, i was very positive (both inwardly and
outwardly) about the visit, so i don't *think* his reluctance was
picking up on any of my reservations. any suggestions?
thanks!
I just had a dental visit for myself and asked my dentist when
I should bring in my 2 year old. He said point blank that he
wouldn't bring in a child until he is at least four, that
before then you can't get a child sit still and be treated.
And he wouldn't even think of giving them flouride before 5
years. The only time he would recommend bringing a young child
in is if the teeth were going brown or black (which would be a
sign of cavities).
I definitely would never allow x-rays at this age!!
kim
In general, I'm fairly conservative about exposing my kids to
unnecessary x-rays and treatments. However, when my son was
four, we were planning to move, didn't know how long it would
take to find a good pediatric dentist in our new place, and we
would be losing our dental insurance. So - I let the dentist do
his x-rays then (I had planned to wait until 5 for the first
set), shortly before our move. Well, it turned out that although
his teeth looked very healthy on exam (no black spots, no pain,
etc.), he had cavities in between almost every pair of back
teeth! The sad ending is that since we were moving so soon, the
dentist couldn't fill them before we left. It took quite a while
to find a dentist I was satisfied with in our new place, and by
the time the cavities were treated, one tooth required a
pulpotomy and crown. So - while I don't advocate frequent
x-rays, I wouldn't necesarily rule out doing it just once during
the pre-school years to see what's going on between those
healthy-looking teeth. (We've since moved back here, where we
LOVE our pediatric dentist!)
anon.
March 2002
I have a 13 month old baby with 6 teeth. I am a little confused about when
to take her for her first dental visit. I have read different opinions ranging
from 6 months after she gets her first tooth to 2 years old. Does anyone
know? Thanks.
Julie
My children's (pediatric) dentist recommends starting dental visits when a
child has 8 teeth and is at least 18 months old. I have 3 children, the
youngest of whom is almost 2, and from my experience, this advice has
worked
for us.
Usually, the first visit is short and consists of counting the teeth and a
gentle cleaning. My kids have always sat on my lap for the first visit. If
nothing else, it helps the child get used to going to the dentist. At this
point, my kids enjoy their dental appointments.
Charlotte
For whatever it's worth, we finally took our son to the dentist at 3.5 years
old. My son would not open his mouth. The dentist didn't insist, and set
another appointment - for six months later!
July 2004
Our regular dentist tell us that our two year olds (twins)
should make their first routine trip to a pediatric dentist
right about now for an evaluation of the condition of their
teeth and two year old molars. I've been putting this visit off
because of my own concerns about how a trip to the dentist could
be resoundingly unpleasant; I've heard that children are
strapped into the chair and their mouth is pried open for
cleanings. Since my girls cry and hardily resist during
toothbrushing, I haven't beening looking foward to a dental
visit. However, I can't stand by and let their teeth become
neglected either soooo..... Can anyone fill me in on what to
expect at the pediatric dentist? Am I delaying for no good
reason? Also, should I plan this visit with two adults since
I'll be bringing in two 2-year-olds? Any insight or advice is
helpful.
mom of teethy toddlers
Both of my children LOVE to go to the dentist. I felt the same
way that you do, but a good pediatric dentist really is the
answer. My older child was quite good about brushing, but was
clingy at the time I took her the first time. It wasn't even
an issue. The dentist has such a child-friendly office with
murals on the walls, great toys, balloons, etc... She
willingly had her teeth brushed and examined and even had her
mouth x-rayed without a fuss and without wanting me. I had the
option of sitting beside her or remaining in an open viewing
area. (not behind glass, simply a comfortable sitting area
with tv and magazines near the examination area.) My youngest
child HATES to have her teeth brushed but will pop her mouth
open upon request for this dentist. I would recommend taking
your twins sooner than later. You'll feel reassured that a
trip to the dentist is manageable. Good luck! Our dentist is
Dr. Amy Beth Harmon at Pediatric Dentistry of Pleasant Hill.
925-947-1188. This may not be close to your home, but I
promise that their professionalism and child-friendly office
make it worth the trip!
laura
There is absolutely no reason that your children's first visit
to the dentist needs to be traumatic. Our pediatrician
suggested a visit to the dentist and on the recommendation from
a friend, we recently took our 3 year old to her first visit.
We talked about the dentist alot before then and even read some
books to her. The visit couldn't have gone better. The office
was totally geared for children of all ages. The setting was
very open and I got to be with her the whole time.
I was so pleased with every aspect of the visit. Give the
office a call.
Alameda Pediatric Dentistry
2125 Whitehall Place
Alameda, CA
510-521-5016
www.kidzteeth.net
Linnea
I highly recommend Dr. David Perry - or any of his associates -
at Alameda Pediatric Dentistry. It's a bit of a hike for us, we
live in Oakland, but worth the trip. They would NEVER strap a
child down to clean teeth. In fact, they do everything they can
to make the dentist a fun and enjoyable place to be. Be
prepared to stay awhile, because they let the kids play and
wander in their spacious offices and kind of let the cleaning
and exam happen organically as the child seems comfortable.
They will LOVE going to the dentist, as my now 4 Y.O. truly does!
Happy Mom
Hi,
You don't mention where you are located but I would like to
recommend that you take your twins to
Dr. Neil Katsura. He has
two offices one is in Berkeley near Alta Bates hospital. I think
the other is located in Albany. I was delighted by the number of
distractions provided for even the smallest of children. It was
like taking my sons to the arcade. The staff is knowledgable but
more importantly, they LOVE children.
Kimberli
I took my son to a pediatric dentist today. The office was very
kid-friendly - stuffed animals/fish/toys all over the walls and
ceiling. The staff were friendly, knew how to talk to children,
and easily convinced my wary son to open his mouth for the
cleaning and fluoride treatment. He didn't want to lay back in
the chair for the cleaning, so the hygienist cleaned his teeth
while he sat up. They didn't force anything on him, and my son
said he had a good time and would go back again. The entire
procedure was very quick.
The dentist he went to is
Denise Bass Allen (510 763-2022) at
2100 Broadway. We saw Dr. Chang.
I wouldn't bring both children at the same time, even with 2
adults. If one gets upset, the other may get upset too, and then
you have two upset kids to deal with.
Good luck - it was easy and painless.
Lynn
My kids go to
Denise Bass Allen,
a pediatric dentist in Oakland,
and both went for the first time at 2.5 years of age. It was
and remains all very calm and reassuring, and in the 4 years or
so we've gone, I have never seen ANY child strapped down or even
anything remotely like that, and the first exam is more or less
just counting the teeth and a very simple exam. Not scary, and
neither of my kids were worried about it at all. Indeed,
they've both been downright cooperative. From the tone of your
post, it sounds as if you may have had some bad experiences at
the dentist, but if you don't tell your kids, they sure won't
learn to be frightened from any present-day real-life
experiences. Go ahead and phone for an appt., and tell the kids
how swell it'll be.
Wendy
I had your same fears about taking my son to the dentist.
Mostly because I have a huge fear of dentists given some bad
experiences as a child and terrible teeth which have required a
lot of dental work. That said, I have found a wonderful
dentist for my son. My son actually looks forward to going to
the dentist (even after having 5 cavities filled -
unfortunately, he inherited my bad teeth)! His name is
Dr. Perry
and he is in Alameda. I don't have the phone number
handy, but feel free to e-mail me if you have any trouble
finding it or if you want some additional information.
Best of Luck!
Nancy
No! Times have changed! There should be no strapping down of
kids and no forcing of anything at a pediatric dental visit!
First, our pediatrician recommended starting visits at 3, not 2,
and that's when our now-4 1/2-year old went for her first visit.
Our dentist (Dr. Bob Khalil, in Orinda) has a large, open room
with several areas for the kid-size dental chairs, with no walls
in between, so everyone can see and hear everyone else (no scary
rooms behind closed doors).
First our daughter was given a new toothbrush of her color
choice, and asked to brush her own teeth at a child sized sink,
with toothpaste flavor of her choice...it went on happily and
gently from there, with the kid ASKED to do things (sit in the
chair, lean back, etc...) not TOLD.
She felt she was in control, and did everything they asked. They
explained every little thing they did, and proceeded at her
speed. She's been every 6 months since, and LOVES going to the
dentist. Good luck!
Heidi
I recommend the office of Dr. Katsura (and others). NOBODY there
is strapped down, and no mouths are pried open - for a first
visit or any other one. They are SUPERB at making kids feel
comfortable, and you can be right there with them. For a first
routine check-up, they will do only as much as they can get away
with with a particular child. They know how important it is to
make a good first impression! It is probably a good idea to bring
another adult, or to bring them in on two separate visits so each
child can have your full attention/presence.
R.K.
My 15-year-old was at the dentist last week for a lengthy appointment.
While she was there two new patients, each around two years old, came
for their first visits. Neither was ''strapped down'' , nor were their mouths
pried open. In fact, each had a great time, was happy, left with a smile,
lots of stickers, and a prize from the prize box. This was at
Dr. Katsura's
office (on Ensenada, off Solano). The kids are shown the dentist's tools,
their teeth are counted, there are toys to play with, it's all very low-key
and comfortable for them. Please try not to let your anxieties color your
children's experience. I don't think there's any need to have two adults
there. I highly recommend Dr. Katsura and the others in this practice.
They have an office off Solano, one near Alta Bates, and another in
Orinda. We did not have as positive an experience at another pediatric
dentist when my kids were little, but despite a number of difficult dental
procedures, my younger daughter still doesn't mind going to see Dr.
Katsura.
Judy
No dentist, pediatric or otherwise, should strap patients down and pry
their mouths open! (Unless it is Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors.)
We have been extremely happy with the pediatric dentistry practice of
Drs. Wampler and Katsura. We see
Dr. Bob Khalil
at the Colby Street
and Orinda offices. The process is pretty easy on the kids. When mine
were smaller, the staff even suggested that I lay on the chair and let my
kids lay on top of me. They made notes about my kids' interests and ask
about them at checkups. They are very gentle and the entire staff has
always been great to my kids.
They have 2 offices in Berkeley and one in Orinda:
Colby St., Berkeley, tel. 510/848-6494
Ensenada, Berkeley, tel. 510/528-1546
David Rd., Orinda, tel. 925/253-8190
Don't put off going, though. The sooner you start the process, the more
quickly your girls will get used to it. They really just check out their
mouths at that point. No xrays or anything like that. It could be very easy
and certainly painless.
Mary
My daughters LOVE "Dr. Bob"
from the Wampler/Katsura office in Berkeley.
They actually *look forward* to seeing him! (And if you knew my daughters,
that says a LOT).
Carrie
My daughter had her first visit to a pediatric dentist at the
age of 2 1/2. She wasn't wild about teeth-brushing either, but I
had some concerns about the spacing of her baby teeth and wanted
to take her in. We went to
Dr. Perry in Alameda
- even though we
live in Berkeley it was worth driving over because his office is
fantastic. There is no strapping down & forcing there. The
office has lots of dentist chairs in a common area where kids
can watch a movie on TV or play video games (older kids) or read
books, and all work in progress is visible to all. For my
daughter's first visit, we were in a private room, but the door
was open. Dr. Perry is very kind and has a great manner with
kids. He never forced my daughter to do anything. Nevertheless,
he did have to look at her teeth and she wouldn't open her
mouth, so he had me hold her in my lap, facing me, and then tilt
her backward, and he very quickly counted her teeth. She did cry
a little, but not a big howling fit (and she is certainly
capable of those.) The interesting thing is that her memory of
the visit to the dentist has become one of her favorite things
to talk about - she will walk up to complete strangers and
say ''I went to the dentist and he counted my teeth. 1, 2, 3...''
We've been back one time since and actually managed a flouride
treatment! I really think if you choose a good kid-centric place
like this, your daughters will be fine.
and now she wants to be a dentist when she grows up
Strapping down and prying open? Yikes! I took my son to the
dentist for the first time when he was almost two, so here's
my experience. There is no ''chair'' there but rather more like
a flat, padded bench where the child lays down. On the first
visit, I chatted with the dentist, gave him a medical and
social history and asked any questions that I had. Then the
dentist looked into my son's mouth. He was a little squirmy,
but the dentist told him that he was only counting his teeth
(which he did). He was wearing gloves but used no
instruments. He looked at the teeth, but never even cleaned
them. That was it. He got a sticker and a new toothbrush
and we were on our way. At that age, I think it's important to
have a good experience and set up some good memories.
If you're really worried, I would ask for recommendations
from other parents and maybe even visit the office before,
without the twins. If you feel confident, they will sense that
too. And I don't think that you would need two adults, since
the dentist can look at the twins one at a time while the other
is sitting on your lap or playing. But I guess you know their
energy level better.
Feel free to email if you would like the name of our dentist.
Ruth
May 2004
Last week my 3 1/2 year old daughter had her first appointment at the dentist. This
dental office is one I have gone to for years and have always referred everyone
to - telling everyone how lucky I am to truly love going to my dentist. I had even
gone in about a week before my daughter's appointment for my own procedure
and asked about her upcoming appointment and wasn't told anything in particular
(although I did express concern about having x-rays administered). I guess I
always just assumed that I would be in there with her - when have I ever not
been? Well, anyway, they 'called her in' by herself - told me it was so she could
create a relationship with the dentist and it caught me completely off guard. It was
our first time and I thought I really trusted this office so I ignored my own instincts
and thought this must be the way things are and I just need to let her grow up. So
she comes out after all is said and done (x-rays, flouride, etc) to me in the waiting
room. The lady taking my money asked the assistant 'did you end up doing the x-
rays?' which made me realize they had remembered my wish to avoid them and
also made the paranoid in me wonder if they did this to 'get me out of the way' so
they could do whatever standard procedures they wanted to without a hassle. She
was fine - she is generally quite confident and game - although she did ask me the
next day 'why did you let them take me?' which devistated me. Even before her
comment I was feeling a bit betrayed by them and like I had betrayed my girl's
trust by letting her go when that wasn't what we had prepared ourselves for. My
questions are: is it normal to take the kid in alone on the first visit? What are other
people's first dental experiences like? Are x-rays and flouride universally required
for 3 year olds (she had no cavities)?
Thanks for any input -
Still feeling tweaky
My kids go to a pediatric dentist,and I suspect they are much
better equipped to deal with kids than an adult dentist. Our
experiences have been much different. The parents come into the
room which is a big open room with four dental chairs and an area
right there for the parents to hang out. The child can even lay
on top of the parent if need be or sit in their laps. My oldest
daughter had her first set of standard xrays at five (my 2yo had
some too but that was related to trauma to her teeth). I think
you should consider going to a pediatric dentist. there are lots
of good ones (see the archives; I go to the Wampler Katsura
practice near Alta BAtes, and we see Dr. Carol Miyahara).
Hilary
You sound like just the same kind of Mom I am. My son is now 9
and I still go with him into the dental exam. The staff hardly
raises their eyebrows. Just conduct yourself like you know that
what you're doing is right for your child, and the staff should
not mind -- especially with a 3 year old. If they do, find
another pediatric dentist.
I accompany my son because he wants me to, so why not? and I
couldn't his tolerate feeling I had somehow abandoned him. He
is slowly gaining independence and I'm okay with his own rate of
progress. My other reasons for going in with him are so that I
can be sure they don't give him fluoride. His file is clearly
marked ''No Fluoride'' but once they did forget, and I was there
to stop them. My son still has NO cavities at 9 yrs old. Also,
I don't want them to do x-rays as often as they want to, and
this way I can monitor that, too.
Follow your Gut Instincts
Pediatric dentists do exactly what you were expecting. Our
dentist doesn't even consider x-rays until they're 5. Perhaps if
there is cause to take them before, they will, but not routinely.
They also want parents in with the child, not only to make it
easy on parent and child, but so that you're informed about your
child's dental health. Our first visit was due to trauma @ 2.5
and I sat in the chair and my son lay on top of me. The doctor
did nothing but examine the trauma area, and discussed future,
possible outcomes. We waited until he was over 3 for his first
cleaning and checkup, which was a bit more invasive, but he had
no complaints. We just had a second visit, and he was a model
patient, very relaxed and cooperative, and awaiting a chance to
pick from the prize box. There are several pediatric dental
practices in the EBay - most of them are on the website, we've
been very happy with Katsura, Wampler, et. al, and see Arnold
Nakazato, and have had only a positive experience. I believe all
the dentists in this practice are equally competent and use the
same approach.
linda
My son's first appt was actually at about 2yo because I wanted
him to become comfortable at an early age. We go to a pediatric
dental practice, so they are very sensitive about kids' and
parents' feelings. My son is now almost 8 and still does not
want me to not be there with him. I can empathize though with
your feeling betrayed and that you didn't really get to do what
you intended. I've been in those kind of situations and also kick
myself after. If your daughter seems ok about it now, just chalk
it up to experience. Now you'll know better what to do next time.
As far as x-rays and fluoride, nothing is really required, I
think. As the parent, it's really your job to decide what
treatments she gets. As long as you ask questions and learn the
pros and cons, the ultimate decision is yours. Good luck.
Ruth
I think you are right to be concerned. Although, I have a friend whose
kids go to a dentist with the same ''kid goes it alone with dentist''
procedure as yours does. So I guess it isn't unheard of. I don't let my
kids
(5 and 9) see their doctor or their dentist without me present. That
will
change when they are older.
For now, you should insist on being in the room. You don't have to
worry
about what the dentist or assistants think. Just tell them that you are
her
mother, she is very young, and you are not comfortable with it. Period.
It
is your right. As for the x-rays, 3 1/2 seems very young for that. My
daughter has been going to the dentist since she was 2 1/2 or 3 and she
just had her first x-rays this year (at age 5).
Lastly, you might consider taking her to a pediatric dentist. They deal
with all kinds of kids and parents. My own dentist flat out told me
that he
thought I should take my daughter to a pediatric dentist. He thought it
was better for the kids to be in a kid-friendly environment at first.
He said
that once they get the hang of what the dentist needs to do, then they
can go to regular dentist.
If you need a name, we go to the offices of Dr. Wampler. (There are 5
dentists there. We see Dr. Khalil). They have two offices in Berkeley
(on
Colby and on Ensenada) and one in Orinda. Good luck and trust your
gut!
anon
Your experience sounds very unusual and you should probably
switch to a pediatric dentist. I love my dentist (Dr. Marchelle
King), who is a family dentist, but was more comfortable taking
my kids to a pediatric dentist. Dr. King recommended Dr. Vivian
Lopez. My kids (5 and 2.5) had their first visit last week and
the experience was great. The hygenist was great with the kids
(my 5 year old son can be very shy and cautious) and Dr. Lopez
was very laid back. I was with the kids the whole time, except
when my son had x-rays. If he had been uncomfortable going to a
separate room with the hygenist, I don't think it would have
been an issue for me to go with him. The dentist said that 4.5
is the standard age for first x-rays -- so my 2.5 yr old
daughter didn't have them. My son got a fluoride treatment.
They tried to give one to my daughter, she resisted, so they
quit trying immediately -- no pressure! My son also swore off
sweets for a few days thanks to a lecture on healthy snacks from
the dentist.
There are a number of good pediatric dentists in the area -- you
and your daughter would probably be happier with one of them.
I'd be pissed.
Talk to your dentist again and tell them that YOU as the parent
would like to know the procedures before they are administered
to your child. You have the right (and the insurance...) to
decline if you would like. I took my daughter in this year too.
She just turned 4 in March and we went to a pediatric dentist who
goes very slowly and doesn't take x-rays or apply fouride as
standard procedure. I didn't take her to my own dentist because
i felt that she needed special handling as a small child.
Definately reiterate to your own dentist that you are perfectly
happy with your own treatment there but very unhappy with the
way they handled you/your child and that you expect the office
and the dentists there to listen to you.
liz
I can't reply to your exact question, other than to tell you that when
my
daughter's pediatric dentist said that it was a requirement of their
office
that the parent not be present during the filling of a cavity, we left
that
office immediately and never returned. I had/have the same feeling
that
your have--I had never before left my child during any medical/dental
procedure, and had no intention of making this the first time. I say
trust
your motherly gut feelings and don't allow anyone to do anything to or
with your child that makes you uncomfortable. I would be very clear
with the dentist about your future expectations and if they are not
comfortable with them (as our first dentist was not), I'd find a new
dentist
for your daughter. We've been very happy with Dr. Neil Katsura; my
daughter has had a lot of dental work, and I've been with her every
step
of the way!
Judy
My children had their first (and all subsequent) dental exams
at Dr. Neal Katsura's office. They could not have been better
experiences. Dr. Neal Katsura invited us to the back. He made
my daughter very comfortable in a bright colorful room with
toys, etc. She was very comfortable with him by the time he
brought her to the yellow ''banana'' chair and playfully
prepared her for x-rays. She had a WONDERFUL first experience
and was her little brother's best coach when he went at the
same age (3). We've seen Dr. Bob and another dentist there.
All are fabulous with kids. It's terrible that I can't
remember his name, but he pulled her two lower front teeth and
made sure I brought my son out of eye range so he wouldn't
freak out later. My daughter had no idea how scary it looked
to me (I've never had a tooth pulled). He was calm, collected
and quick. She was very matter of fact about it b/c of the
prep by the dentist. They are all about kids. Dr. Neal
Katsura's in Berkeley on Colby: (510) 848-6494.
Won't ever change dentists
SWITCH DENTISTS!!! x rays are a huge pet peeve of mine. There
is no reason that any dentist has ever been able to give me
about why i should have x rays that makes sense. If you brush
and floss regularly (every day), and are a healthy non smoker,
the odds of something being wrong that is detectable only by x
ray is less than miniscule. And even then, it's not like it's
going to be life threatening, although to listen to most
dentists, you'd think it was! Medical doctors don't threaten
you if you decide not to get a mammogram or colonoscopy--they
just explain why it's in your best interest to do so--the
decision is up to the individual--it is their body, after all!
And the last time I checked, it's MY mouth!! But I have had a
dentist actually kick me out of his practice because I refuse
to get x rays, or have my children x rayed. If I need a crown,
or am having pain, that's another story--I am willing to have a
tooth x rayed in that situation. But to recieve ''routine'' x
rays is not something I will allow myself or my children to be
subjected to. Dentists love to say how the amount of radiation
is less than you receive walking down a street in the
sunshine. Which makes absolutely no sense. Why would I want
ANY more unnecessary radiation? The only conclusion I can make
is that it is an extra thing they can bill for.
To add insult to injury, your dentist did this behind your
back. I would write a letter to the office, and also to the
American Dental Association, and the Better Business Bureau.
What they did was unethical. Also, you should NEVER be
separated from an anxious child, or a child who just wants you
nearby for security.
I now have a fabulous dentist, Dr. Ruddell of Oakland,
who does not insist on routine x rays. ( I discussed this
BEFORE joining the practice) I think he would prefer if we got
them, but he doesn't make a big deal of it. He also let me sit
beside my (big baby) 13 year old while she had a filling done.
Good luck, and I'm sorry about your experience.
ann
I can't wait to hear advice/other experiences about this one. . .
Anyway, just two
comments:
1. I'm sure in following the office protocol, you were just trying to
make things go
smoothly for your daughter. AND, you were caught off-guard. However,
next time
I'm sure you'll go with your gut instict, which is always best.
2. Feel free to assert your right as a parent to have control over how
your daughter's
relationships are ''created'' with other adults. You are with her at
her other doctor
appointments, etc. and I'm sure she has plenty of relationhips with
adults that have
been established under your supervision.
paula
In response to the issue about x-rays at a dental office, it is
necessary to have them in order to identify cavities. A
dentist cannot perform appropriate diagnosis of one's teeth
without them. While it is certainly not mandatory to have x-
rays if you don't want to keep your teeth, it is advisable if
you want to maintain healthy teeth. You may want to go to a
dentist who uses digital radiography which is totally
harmless.
anon
May 1998
My 9 month old son has 9 teeth now (8 front and 1 molar) and I'm
wondering, when should he start going to the dentist? I've heard a
lot of people say at 2 years, but I also heard a commercial from the
American Dental Association saying they should start at 1 year. I
looked on the UCB Parents Newsletter archives at recommendations for a
pediatric dentist, but does anyone know of a dentist in the
Oakland/Berkeley area that is specifically good with very little kids?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Heather
Dr. Matsuishi in El Cerrito believes that as soon as they've got enough
teeth, you have to be concerned with dental hygene (phone: 524-4633). I
started taking Chris to him at 18 months (didn't get his first teeth till
12 months) and was very impressed with Dr. Matsuishi and his staff.
Beth
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