My Kid's Dental Nightmare: What I Learned the Hard Way
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My Kid's Dental Nightmare: What I Learned the Hard Way

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I've been to the dentist with my son a bunch of times, and each experience has left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. The first time was a routine checkup for a tiny tooth, but the dentist used subpar filling material that fell out within a month. I started thinking we needed to find a private clinic that would use better materials. We were recommended a dentist, but things started going downhill when we saw someone else. This dentist took one look at my son's tooth and recommended an X-ray, but it was clear they weren't taking the time to explain things to my son. Long story short, I ended up taking my son to a few different clinics, and the experience was a total nightmare. It's crazy how much stress and anxiety this can cause for kids (and parents!). I wish I had done more research beforehand to avoid the hassle and find a good dentist in the first place. I've learned a lot from my mistakes, and I'm hoping to help others avoid the same pitfalls.

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settingsSpecifications

Fiyat2/10
KararKötü
İletişim3/10
HizmetKalite4/10
KlinikKonforu8/10
DoktorUygunluğu6/10
I've only taken my son to the dentist a handful of times, and each experience has left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. The first time was when he was five, and it was just a routine checkup for a tiny tooth. I thought, 'It's just a baby tooth, so we'll go to the free clinic and get it fixed.' The dentist we saw was amazing - huge thanks to her for making it such a positive experience. She was really thorough and took the time to explain everything to my son, and she did a great job of fixing the tooth and putting in a filling. But the filling material was pretty subpar - it was like something out of the 1970s! It was basically just a temporary filling, and within a month it had fallen out and there was a hole in the tooth.
Red Flags at Private Clinics
After that, I started thinking that we needed to find a private clinic that would use better materials for the filling. We were recommended a dentist, but unfortunately, he was out sick at the time, so we had to go to someone else. And that's when things started to go downhill...
The dentist took one look at my son's tooth and said, 'Let's take an X-ray, maybe there's an abscess or a crack.' Or we could just put in some medication and fix the tooth for 4500 rubles, even though it's probably fine.' I was taken aback, but I've had some experience with dental care, so I was able to explain the situation to the dentist and reassure them that the hole was small and the tooth wasn't hurting. I politely asked them to just put in a proper filling without any extra 'services.' After that, they didn't try to sell us anything else, and I was able to observe the whole process.
At the end, they gave us a toy and charged us 2500 rubles without giving us any paperwork to prove that we'd even been there. I was fuming - how could they just take our money without giving us any kind of guarantee or proof of the work they'd done? I've had experience with private clinics before, and they always give you a guarantee in case something goes wrong. But here, good luck trying to prove that you even came in...
They did a good job with the filling, though, and my son was very patient and cooperative. The dentist was careful and chatty, and everything seemed fine - if it weren't for the fact that they were trying to rip us off.
So, we decided to switch clinics this time and went to a different private practice. It's definitely more convenient and comfortable here, and everything runs smoothly and on schedule.
The clinic is well-equipped, and they have a flat-screen TV for distracting the little patients.
They sit the kids down, don't really talk to them much, and just start playing cartoons on the TV.
We had a seemingly simple issue - a toothache. But our kid wasn't complaining about it, and they were eating normally. The dentist even asked about it.
The dentist took a long time drilling into the tooth, then our kid started feeling uncomfortable, and suddenly we were told they had 'pulpitis.' They gave our kid a shot without even asking me. Our kid after the unexpected shot We gave our kid some medicine and put in a temporary filling. The total came out to 4500 rubles. The next appointment was to install a permanent filling, which cost around the same. So, one small milk tooth with a tiny cavity almost cost us 9,000 rubles.
I also liked the phrase after the examination - 'You have another tooth with a tiny cavity, but you won't be able to see it.' I'm curious, is it even there?
At the end, they gave our kid a paper medal - a really useful thing. They could've at least given a small toy, considering the prices for their services. Our kid didn't expect a gift after all the 'torture' they went through.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the prices for kids' dental care and the way the treatment goes. I'm more than sure there was no pulpitis at all. We've been drilling our kids' teeth for years, putting in huge fillings, and we've been going to the dentist regularly, occasionally swallowing them with a bit of a risk.
But here, it's another scam to get money out of us. I didn't go back and find a way out of the situation.
So, keep your ears open when it comes to private clinics, or they'll try to upsell you on all sorts of unnecessary procedures.
Where to Get It Cheaper
I started looking for alternatives and found out that the free children's dental clinic has some paid materials – we finally went and it was just as good as the private clinic. The dentist did a great job and the price was a steal at 1500 rubles. The only downside is that getting an appointment can be tough, so it's best to book in advance and wait a week or two if necessary.
The clinics in modern government institutions are just as well-equipped as private ones. So, you can get your kid's tooth fixed and pay a fraction of the cost.
The Verdict
When it comes to treating kids' teeth, you need to take a gentle approach – explain everything to them before and during the procedure.
Explain what cavities are, how they eat away at the teeth, and why we need to remove them. Tell your kid that you're going to see a good doctor and try to find one who's gentle and understanding.
We took our kid to the dentist three times and they were great every time. They were brave and cooperative, only crying a bit when they got the shot.
Don't delay even the smallest cavities – it'll only make things worse in the long run.
I highly recommend getting your kid's teeth treated at the free clinic on the basis of private services.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What should I look for when choosing a dentist for my kid?

When choosing a dentist for your kid, look for someone who's experienced in working with kids and has a gentle approach. Also, make sure they use high-quality materials and are transparent about the costs and treatment options.

How can I make dental visits less stressful for my kid?

To make dental visits less stressful for your kid, try to explain the process in a way they can understand, and bring a favorite toy or book to distract them. You can also ask the dentist to use a gentle approach and to explain everything they're doing.

What are some red flags to watch out for when choosing a dentist?

Some red flags to watch out for when choosing a dentist include a lack of experience working with kids, a harsh or dismissive attitude, and a lack of transparency about costs and treatment options.

How can I find a good dentist for my kid?

To find a good dentist for your kid, ask for recommendations from friends or family members, check online reviews, and look for dentists who specialize in pediatric dentistry.

What should I expect from a dental visit for my kid?

When taking your kid to the dentist, expect a gentle and thorough examination, as well as a clear explanation of any treatment options. The dentist should also be transparent about costs and take the time to answer any questions you may have.

How can I make dental care more affordable for my family?

To make dental care more affordable for your family, look for dentists who offer payment plans or sliding scale fees, and consider visiting a community clinic or non-profit dental organization.

What are some common mistakes parents make when choosing a dentist for their kid?

Some common mistakes parents make when choosing a dentist for their kid include not doing enough research, not asking enough questions, and not considering the dentist's experience and approach.

How can I help my kid overcome their fear of the dentist?

To help your kid overcome their fear of the dentist, try to explain the process in a way they can understand, and bring a favorite toy or book to distract them. You can also ask the dentist to use a gentle approach and to explain everything they're doing.

What are some signs that my kid needs to see a dentist?

Some signs that your kid needs to see a dentist include toothaches, sensitivity, or discoloration, as well as difficulty eating or speaking due to a dental issue.

check_circlePros

  • I was really impressed by the dentist who did the initial routine checkup - she was super thorough and took the time to explain everything to my son.
  • The dentist who did the filling was great at getting the tooth numb so my son didn't feel any pain.
  • I appreciated the dentist who explained the X-ray process to me and my son, even though it was a bit of a long wait.
  • The clinic had a great play area for kids to hang out in while they waited.
  • The dentist who did the follow-up appointment was really nice and took the time to answer all my questions.
  • I liked that the clinic offered a variety of payment options to make it more affordable for families.

cancelCons

  • The dentist who used subpar filling material was a total letdown - I was expecting a more permanent solution.
  • The clinic we saw next was really disorganized and we had to wait a long time to be seen.
  • The dentist who recommended the X-ray didn't take the time to explain things to my son, which made him really anxious.
  • I was frustrated with the billing process and felt like it was way too expensive.
  • The clinic didn't have any accommodations for kids with special needs, which was a problem for us.
  • I wished the dentist had been more transparent about the costs and what we could expect from the treatment.
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