It all turned out well for this little 3 year old after panicked mom decided to do some research and ask questions.
January 15, 2014
Hi Debbie
I just wanted to give you an update. I took my daughter for a second opinion. Syosset, NY.
I would have never imagined the dentist would look like a housewife of Beverly Hills. But she had a brain, so that was great.
She told me that my daughter DID NOT have three cavities in her mouth as indicated by the first dentist.
As you mentioned in our previous correspondence, it was deep groves and discoloration in her back teeth.
This doctor was able to get perfect images of the teeth.
My daughter did have one cavity in the front which was a result of her teeth being too close together.
The doctor advised it was too small to go through the trouble of filling it, gave my daughter a toothpaste that would slow the growth of the cavity and told me to bring her back in six months.
Had I taken the other dentist word for it, my daughter would have had work done on teeth that were perfectly fine.
Sometimes, we doubt ourselves believing that these doctors are smarter than us, because they were able to study longer and go beyond four years of college. Sometimes these doctors are overly confident in their craft, believing they aren't capable of making a mistake.
Erasers and malpractice insurance was made for a reason.
So, THANKS! for your blog. I hope other parents find it, read it and understand that it's okay to challenge the doctors.
Below is this thankful mother’s original email:
January 5, 2014
Hello
I have 4 four year old that was recently seen by a dentist. I was told she has three cavities. My heart dropped. I wanted to cry for my daughter. I am 34 years old and I HATE going to the dentist.
After being told my daughter had cavities, I immediately went home and started to read. The article of the day was a 3 year old in Hawaii that died from a cocktail of drug while at the dentist. My heart sank even deeper. I am dealing with so many things in my life but, the news of my baby having cavities has hands down been the worst.
What would be the proper procedure (in your opinion) for treating children so small with cavities? It seems as if death by the death is very common.
I don't want my child to be in pain and have a fear of the dentist however, i don't want her to be one of the unlucky children that don't make it out the chair.
Please respond. I look at my daughter and start to cry.
