I read a news story this month about a child who was restrained in a papoose without the parents consent.  The article said it was a common practice.  This makes me terrified to bring my child to the dentist.  It seems like abuse to me.  How can that be common?

Olive D. – Baltimore

Olive,

I don’t think they meant it was common practice to use the papoose without a parent’s consent.  If you don’t want your child in a papoose, your child doesn’t go in a papoose. It’s a simple as that.  Though, I will say always be sure to read any treatment consent forms.  In this particular case, the dentist said the parents had signed a consent for restraints.  But, because the dentist only discussed laughing gas with them, they didn’t realize what was in the consent form.  If the dentist left that out of the discussion to intentionally mislead the parents, it would be considered quite unethical.

Bottom line, find a pediatric dentist you trust.  Have open communication with them. Ask questions.  Many dentists will also let parents come back into the operatory with their child.  For some kids that is a comfort. For others, that makes it harder.  You know your child best, so go with what your heart tells you.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.