Inside Edition investigates papoose board use in dentistry

For some kids a trip to the dentist can be a traumatic experience. But just imagine what it might be like strapped into a cocoon-like restraining device called a papoose board that is sometimes used to immobilize children at the dentist's office.

They're smiling today, but eight children say they were strapped into a papoose board while visiting the same dentist for routine work.

They're all patients of Dr. Edward Dove. Dr. Dove has a huge pediatric dentistry practice in Southern California and his commercials are specifically targeted to kids like a friendly Saturday cartoon show. But these kids' parents say their experience was nothing to smile about.

"He hit me on the head and said, ‘You better shut your mouth,' four-year-old Abigail Webb told INSIDE EDITION's Chief Investigative Correspondent Lisa Guerrero.

"He strapped me down on a papoose board and I started crying and he kept slapping my cheeks," said six-year-old Tyler Catalfamo, another patient of Dr. Dove.

Dr. Dove says he uses the papoose board properly, after sedating the youngsters.

Read the full story here at Inside Edition

 

When there is news about dentistry in the media, the American Dental Association issues a Red Alert.  Here is the ADA Red Alert issued after the “Inside Edition” story about the use of papoose boards aired April 26,2012. And the ABC Chris Como report about Florida’s children access to dental care; It’s in a “crisis”. Link to ADA Red Alert

Inside Edition and ABC World News Media Stories

"Inside Edition" airs segment on the use of papoose boards

"Inside Edition," a nationally-syndicated newsmagazine show aired a story April 26 about dentists' use of papoose boards during dental treatment. As a result of this rather sensational segment, parents of young children under your care may ask if you use a papoose board in your practice.

Who are on these committees and subcommittees making these guidelines? Who are they cozy with?

 

2011 Behavioral Management Guidelines

The link above contains the latest version, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). It’s written and revised by the AAPD Clinical Affairs Committee – Behavior Management Subcommittee. I want to know who is on this committees, don’t you?

In fact, I think it is extremely important to know who is on each of these committees and subcommittees. They are setting guidelines and standards that our federal and state government rely heavily on. Most of the time these guidelines are 100% relied upon.

We certainly demand to know who is making our laws and just who these lawmakers are all cozied up with, well, what’s the difference?! NONE!

I’ve found a helpful little website where you can check guidelines for various healthcare professions. It’s at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It’s the National Guideline Clearing House.

I’ve not tried it, but it appears you can compare guidelines, now isn’t that cool.  Well, if it works anyway.

You can check past guidelines going back to 1997, that seems handy: browse by Organization,Topic,Guidelines in progress, get expert commentaries and much more.

Of course in checking this place out I got fired up over reading all the guidelines for Behavioral Management (D9920). Various terms for it are used; Behavior Guidance, Behavior Management, Behavior Control. The latest term, “Guidance” sounds so much nicer doesn’t it.

I don’t care what they call it, it’s worse than a straight jacket. In a straight jacket you can at least have use of your legs, but not in the papoose board, rainbow wrap, blankets or whatever cuddly term is thrown at the damn thing.

Free CE for Small Smiles, Kool Smiles, Adventure Dental and Ocean Dental Dentists

After spending some time today pursuing FORBA's website, set up for their Small Smiles clinics I found a link to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Behavioral Control Guide for dentist,  and support staff.  Low and behold, FORBA is clear on these techniques!  They know what to do and when to do it!  OMG!  I need to check Kool Smiles to see if they have a link as well so that I'm sure they know too.

I knelt and thanked the Lord.

What I began to wonder though was, "Does or has anyone at FORBA read it"??  Just asking...

My guess is by adding a link on their website to the guide along with the statement above the links, they are trying to send a subtle message that your child is safe and they know what they are doing.  


These Guideline were adopted in 1990 and have been revised 6 times with the last being 2008.  Soooooo.... these were the guidelines in place when good ole Dr. Spaghetti Eddie and Dr. Meatball Mike DeRose laid out their sinister plan to be the Kings of the dental kingdom.

Anyway, back to the Guidelines, let me give you a few snippets:....