Dentist VIsit

[momoftwo]

Well one down and one more to go!! My oldest had a cleaning today and no cavities!! Yeah!! He goes in tomorrow for his sealants to be put on. Now my youngest is the problem. He hates to brush and I have to wrestle with him to get it done. I informed him today that he has to go in a couple of weeks and he said no way! That is gonna be a fun day!:rolleyes1:

[msmichellemiller]

I hear ya. Tomorrow we have to bring our toddler in to see his ENT. He has never been comfortable with that guy so it's always a very stressful visit.
I was relieved when our pediatrician said he'd recommend we wait until Rex is two before his first dental exam. I can totally see my son biting him. :o

[momoftwo]

Hey MMM. Who is his ENT? Just curious because my son went to one and the waits were incredibly long!!!!!

[msmichellemiller]

Our ENT is Jefferey Chimenti. There is at least one other member on here that I know of who also goes to him. While he isn't IMO the best with small children he has a reputation of getting down to business, so to speak. Most other ENT's, especially pediatric ones, will tend to go the 'let's try this for a while and see how it goes before doing anything drastic route'. For me, that was not an option. I wasn't willing to let my little one keep suffering ear infections and rounds and rounds of different antibiotics. My other son had his tonsils and adenoids removed by him. He had sleep apnea. The boy hasn't snored AT ALL since a few days after his surgery and wakes up in waaaaaaaaay better shape in the mornings now. Glad we did it. We just have to keep bringing our toddler back every few months to have the tubes in his ears checked out. So far, no problems.
I should explain why I said he didn't seem to be the best with small children. He isn't bad or mean or anything. Just doesn't seem like he loves kids a whole lot. It's a vibe I get from him, it might just be me. (or my kids!:p) He wears this really weird thing on his head like you'd see on the old fashioned doctors. Ya know, they strap around the top of the head and have this round thing in the front. I don't know what they are for but I think it makes him look rather strange and that could be a little scary to a small child.
We *do* have to wait for a pretty long time to finally see him. You can make an appointment with his P.A. for simple re-checks and things like that. Those always go faster. Oh, and she's friendlier-looking! :)

[momoftwo]

That is the same doc I took my son to. I need to go back and have his adenoids checked again. It was a *gray area* and he said to wait a little while longer. I got so furious at those appt's though, a few min to a half hour is okay, but not an hour to an hour and 1/2. Oh well. That is the way I think most offices work these days.

[msmichellemiller]

Momof2; have you been back to see him since late Sept/October? He moved to a new office over in Shanendoa and our appointments since have become less ridiculous. I do remember having to wait WAY too long over at the other office but luckily we only had to go there twice before he moved.

[momoftwo]

No, I haven't been yet. I didn't even know he moved. Thanks for the info!!

[msmichellemiller]

Here's another bit of info as well: if your little one ends up getting adenoids removed by Chimenti, ask him if he'll perform it somewhere OTHER than The Surgery Center of The Woodlands. We had a terrible experience with that place and you wouldn't believe how much extra we were billed for 'use of their facilities'. If I had to do it over, I would have asked that he do this at the hospital instead. Of course, maybe they don't do outpatient procedures at hospitals. I'd still ask him if there was an alternative place from the Surgery Center.

[momoftwo]

Funny, I heard that a long time ago from someone else. I don't remember who, but they said it was a bad experience.

[baby duck]

Hmmm. I had my gall bladder removed at Memorial several years ago, and that was considered outpatient. The Surgical Center was in existence then, so it's not like there wasn't that choice. It might be depend on where the doc has privileges.

[momoftwo]

Well, my son had sealants put on today and I must say that I am very impressed with Dr Ragsdales office. Everyone is so nice and very patient. Now, my 3yo goes in for his 1st cleaning in a couple of weeks, so we'll see how they handle him. I may be asked to find a new dentist!!

[Wilson]

Did Ragsdale allow you to stay with your ds? That was why we didn't go back. We love, love, love Dr. Wheeler in Sterling Ridge now.

[momoftwo]

Actually, he went on his own and I stayed in the waiting area. I did have my 3yo with, so that wasn't going to happen anyhow. I have only been three times and I have never been told I could not go back, but I didn't ask either. Now if I want to go and she denies, than I will have issues for sure. I will see what happens when 3yo has a cleaning.

[MomTimesFive]

I took my older daughter to a dentist when she was little, and the dentist told me to go wait in the waiting room :mad: She had 5 baby teeth that needed to be pulled. They weren't loose AT ALL, and she had very, very long roots. Five minutes after I got to the waiting room, I went to the desk to pay the copayment, and when I said, "She's only going to pull a couple of teeth today, right?" I was told, "No, she just pulled all five". I said, "The Novocaine couldn't have taken effect that fast!" It turns out, the dentist didn't even give my daughter Novocaine! :eeek: I was beside myself. I reported the dentist to the AMA, but as far as I know she is still in practice.

[momoftwo]

Well, my 3yo had his first cleaning today and I am grateful to report, that all went really well. He went back on his own and let them do x-rays, clean his teeth and examine him. We went back after that to see Dr. Ragsdale and she said he did well, no cavities!! He loved the crayola toothbrush and goodies that he got.

[Butterfly2005]

We love Dr. Ragsdale's office as well. Someone on here once remarked that they didn't like that she didn't prefer for parents to go back with the kids during procedures. I have since learned this takes place alot. They like to keep the germs down.

[Wilson]

We love Dr. Ragsdale's office as well. Someone on here once remarked that they didn't like that she didn't prefer for parents to go back with the kids during procedures. I have since learned this takes place alot. They like to keep the germs down.

That's me :). Dr. Wheeler's office has chairs for the parents to sit right next to the child's chair while they're being worked on and everyone is invited to stay with the child. There's sometimes a balloon-guy back there as well making balloon-stuff for everyone. It's all open, inviting, and clean :).

[momoftwo]

I prefer to not go with them, because I am afraid if I am there, they will be harder to deal with. I did see a little one just freak out today and the mom went back and tried to help settle him down. I guess it depends on age and how they react maybe? If it were a procedure that would require shots or something, I would expect to go if they are upset. At least until they feel ok.

[schnauzermom]

Personally I do not want to go back with my kids and I would have a really hard time sitting next to them. I don't like going to the dentist at all and I'm always afraid that I will pass that on to my kids. I think if I sat next to them I'd be the one freaking out. Luckily they've never had a bad experience and I just smile and send them off with the nice hygienist. They don't mind going to the dentist at all so I guess it worked for us.

[baby duck]

Probably depends on the kid. Little Bit has had so many things done to her that she will fight you to her dying breathe. Last doctor that had me wait, I just stayed outside the door, because I knew he would be looking for me within a couple of minutes. She's only two, so I am hoping to skip the dentist for a little while longer - I'm hoping as time passes that her memories will fade a little.

[Butterfly2005]

I agree Dr. Wheeler rocks! We just had a change in insurance. Dr Ragsdale did however let me in with my child when she began to cry during a procedure. The next time she had a cavity filled she didn't need me. So it's good to see them go in without you at first. Of course it's always different for everyone.

[Jeggers]

Both of my children have been going to Dr. Andersen since they were 3. His office is geared around children and parents. The parent is allowed in the room with the child without any problems. I would not let my child go into a room where I was not allowed. The first visit is just a get to know the doctor visit (complete with a photograph of the child with their new dentist). Now they always look forward to their dental exams (even beg to go). My daughter had a tooth fixed and she doesn't even remember it. Now that is awesome :-) I wish I could say the same about me when I go to the dentist :eeek: Which in itself is funny since Dr. Andersen's wife is my dentist.

Jeanne

[Wilson]

Welcome to TalkofTheWoodlands.com, Jeggers!