I need to find a pediatric dentist in the Tampa Bay area who is educated in breastfeeding and attachment parenting. I read about a dentist in another state that allows toddlers to sit in their parents' laps while the dentist performs dental work. This would be the type of dentist I want to find. My son is in need of dental work and I'm not comfortable putting him to sleep for it, nor am I willing to leave him alone with the dentist unless I am able to watch the entire procedure.
I really appreciate your suggestions!
Call Dr. Pettinato's office off of Dale Mabry highway. They are wonderful with the kids. Very small kids sit on their parent's lap for their exam. Now, they don't do that anymore with my 6-year old. I am also with my child the entire time....
What kind of dental work does your son need? I hope if it's painful you will allow him SOME kind of sedation. Sitting on mommy's lap may be comforting but needles and drills in your mouth/gums hurt whether mommy's there or not :(
If it's just a cleaning then you shouldn't have a problem. My kids got their first cleaning right around the time they weaned, around two, at our family dentist. Since they were such happy, easy going (I suppose you would call it securely attached?) little toddlers, it was no big deal. They didn't care about being in my lap, honestly I was more nervous than they were.
Find a dentist that does good WORK, that's what matters most!
Your son is still young, and from my understanding, any pediatric dentist will allow you to stay . . . most likely with your son facing you on your lap with his head in the dentist lap.
We use Dr. Lesley Rudolph in S. Tampa. She and her staff are great. We started taking my daughter at 18 mos. She laid her head in Dr. Lesley's lap with her body on my legs. By the time we went back at age 2, she hopped right up in the chair and let them clean her teeth. They have chairs near the exam chairs as well for parents as well as separate surgical rooms for more involved procedures.
But you also need to understand that the little has to be cooperative for the procedures if they are awake. Otherwise, it's unsafe for them and for the doc.
my daughter goes to a pediatric dentist and she was a little fearful and i would sit her on my lap and lay her head into the dentists lap. it was easier that way. we did this for 2 years till she hit 4 and wanted to sit in the chair a lone. she had 2 molar cavities filled last year and her dentist uses the gas. i sat in the corner of the room reading my book. she did not cry scream or anything. if your son fights they may have to strap him down for his safety. i had a friend whos son was knocked out for dental work and he just spent the rest of the day drowsy. it was no big deal. if my daughters dentist needed to knock my daughter out i would be ok with it because the work needs to be done. the only time you are asked to step away is for xrays.
