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.
The American Dental Association (ADA) notes the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Guideline on Behavior Guidance for the Pediatric Dental Patient that state when stabilization is used, it should always be the least restrictive, but safe and effective.
The ADA has prepared a press statement which dental societies can use if they receive media inquiries on the matter.
In addition, we have provided some suggested talking points that you can use with parents and caregivers should you be asked about your use of papoose boards:
- Papoose boards, which are often comprised of soft cloth and Velcro, are sometimes used to help keep children still so the child does not harm himself or the dental staff during dental treatment.
- A papoose board may be needed when:
- patients require immediate diagnosis and/or limited treatment and cannot cooperate due to lack of maturity or mental or physical disability;
- the safety of the patient, dental staff, or parent would be at risk; or
- movement of sedated patients' needs to be reduced.
- In my practice, [describe whether or not you use papoose boards, how children can indicate to you or your staff if they are uncomfortable during treatment and what steps are taken to help make the child more comfortable].
- I want to make your child's dental visit as pleasant as possible while at the same time delivering safe and effective care.
ABC World News Story Examines Dental Medicaid in Florida
Tuesday night's broadcast of "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" included a report on dental access disparities in Florida titled, "Hidden America: Medicaid's Youngest Face Dental Crisis." Reporter Chris Cuomo focused on the tragic results of children not receiving care, including a recounting of the Deamonte Driver incident and video of children with blackened stumps where healthy teeth should be. The story featured Dr. Greg Folse, who operates a mobile dental unit in Louisiana, and Dr. Frank Catalanotto, a faculty member at the University of Florida, Gainesville.
The Association prepared this standby press statement to answer inquiries from journalists or others. ADA staff is reaching out to the segment's producer to offer assistance on any follow-up stories, and to make sure the producer knows of success stories in other states, has a clearer understanding of how Medicaid does and does not work, and gets a broader picture of the multiple barriers that impede too many Americans from attaining good oral health.
This email has been distributed to all members of the American Dental Association.
This is much like the statement the AAPD released a few years ago about the sedation deaths.
Anyone besides me get they are telling their members exactly what to say by using first person statement suggestions-a script basically. This is how “we the public” get the standard statement from professionals when other news outlets do follow-up pieces. It’s all scripted.
Even worse is the ADA is the be all when it comes to guidelines and statements, it’s the highest court for an opinion. It’s the US Supreme Court of Dentistry and it’s rigged.
I have yet to see a papoose board that has been altered as suggest by the AAPD’s Dr. Paul Steven Casamassimo.
As a side note here, did anyone catch the hottest buzz words – “Deamonte Driver” and “Crisis”, I didn’t.
