Bittersweet

First, Bug was in bed, asleep by 6:30 last night.   I didn’t know what to do with myself!  Of course Littlest didn’t want to go to sleep early, but still was asleep before 8.   It was the weirdest evening.   I had my “chores” done, the girls were asleep, I actually had an hour of time on the computer and still hours before my bedtime.  I kinda wandered around and finally started reading.    Those kind of nights are so rare anymore, I wasn’t prepared for it. 

Now for the dentist.  I think we need a new pediatric dentist.   This is the second time Bug has gone and the first for Littlest.    I don’t think I have too high of expectations other than if it ”pediatric” is in the title, I expect someplace kid friendly.   Sure this place has the wall art and looks kid friendly, but it’s kinda of a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am kind of production line.    I wasn’t happy.  

I prepared Bug for the appointment days ahead of time saying we were going to the see the teeth doctor, a dentist, and had her show me her teeth and open wide.   She went into the office saying she wanted to see the doctor and was all ready to show her teeth.    What happened was more of a mild form of  torture.   I told the hygienist that we don’t use toothpaste yet, but do brush regularly.  Instead of letting Bug taste the toothpaste first, she just had me hold Bug down and started brushing.  Kicking, crying, and spitting then occurred.   A toy was picked out as a prize.  Then the dentist rushed in, said, “Hi I’m Dr. E”  and once again, child was held down, and mouth forced open, teeth checked, floride put on and bam…we were done.  Oh yes, she got to pick out a sticker.  Bug’s teeth looked good. 

Now on to Littlest, her first ever visit.  She looked worried after the ordeal with Bug.   I told the hygienest that Littlest was a preemie and I wrote PREEMIE all over her history for the chart.   The hygienest said that her being a preemie wouldn’t make any difference.   RED FLAG!  Yes it does.  Mother hackles are now really raised.  They were raised before.   Same procedure for Littest as for Bug.   The dentist swoops in and then proceeds to berate us for not brushing Littlest’s teeth better because it already shows signs of staining and whatever.   I, a little louder than I should have,  stated that she was 3-1/2 months EARLY.  She’s a PREEMIE.   Oh….that makes a huge difference.  DUH!!!   That’s why I said something before and wrote it all over her chart.    He says once again, as he did for Bug, no soda, gum, candy and easy on the juice (4 oz or less a day) and he was gone.  Toy and sticker were picked out.   Bam!  Done.   Once we get out to the car, Daddy and I both wonder if they put flouride treatment on Littlest as neither of us saw it done.  He took Littlest back in and they were adamant they did it as the doctor was starting to look in Littlest’s mouth.  We both disagree.  I watch people like a hawk when they deal with Littlest (as I do with Bug, but more so because of her prematurity).

Daddy and I decided that we won’t be going back to this dentist.   I now expect the dentist to stop and talk to each child, you know, create a rapport with them, take the fear out of the visit.   We had an hour total visit time scheduled for both girls.   We were there maybe 45 minutes including paperwork and waiting time, but less than 10 minutes with each child.   The dentist I had growing up was gruff and “gentle” was never a word associated with him.    I don’t want the girls to have that experience, especially since I know orthodontics and other things are in our future.  As a parent, I want to know what Littlest faces because of her prematurity and the enamel not forming well.  

I guess I did have expectations, but they were fairly low.   Now, watch out, momma tiger on the loose!