Hi! My son just turned 3 and we're looking at dentists to have him go to. We'd prefer a family dentist so that we can all just go to the same place. The only problem is that many of the dental offices don't allow parents in the back with their kids. He's only three! And I would prefer to go back with him, even just to stand in the doorway. I checked out a couple of the places recommended on here, and they sound like wonderful places, but they don't let the parents go back. I don't need to go back every single time, but I am very reluctant to leave my little guy alone in a room with two people that not only does he not know, but I don't know, either! Does anyone know of a good pediatric dentist in the Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Naperville area? I would be willing to drive, too, if the dentist is fabulous, since it's only once every 6 months or so. Thanks for your help!
Thank you to everyone for your help with this! We ended up making an appt at Wheatland Dental for next Weds, so we'll see how it goes. They seem quite nice, and actually had the earliest appt available of the 5 or 6 places I called from all the suggestions you gave! I agree that it's a shame that we feel we need to be so protective of our kids. I know my personal reason is that a friend of mine's child was abused by a person we're all supposed to just automatically trust (an opthamologist!) in their offices. It's not something I would think anyone would do, but I would also like to be sure my child is not put in a situation like that. At 3, they have no basis on which to judge good or bad touches, and in general, when you send a child somewhere, you say to them "be sure to listen and do what they say". Too often, we read about abuse from people we were supposed to trust. I am sure that when I get to know these folks, I will trust enough that I can send him back alone, but I think it's every parent's right to make that decision. That being said, I totally agree that the parent should be SILENT in the room with the kids. That's how we do our Dr visits. The most I will do as the Dr is asking my son a question is smile reassuringly at him if he looks over at me. As to the "I don't know how we survived" comment--my own mom says this stuff all the time regarding things like carseats, nutrition, etc. I guess we all just learn from mistakes made in the past, and try our best to do our best. Anyway--thank you so much for all of your help. To all of those dentists out there who do not allow you to go back with your kids, I understand your point, and agree that a relationship needs to be made with the dentist and the child without the parents' interference, but it's just not for me. Off my soapbox and off to the dentist! I have an appt there, too. I hope they give me a treat from the treasure box, too!
A fabulous pediatric dentist's office is on Park Ave. near Roosevelt Rd (Just a jog around the corner from Trader Joes in Glen Ellyn). Their website is http://www.babyteeth.net and the practice is called Glen Ellyn Pediatric Dentistry, PC.
I found them through a recommendation from a friend, and I am so grateful.
B.
L., my step mother is a dentist and she's wonderful with kids. She's in Naperville (Dentistry by Design). She has a flat panel TV that she uses with kids (and adults), puts on cartoons or whatever they want and would definitely let you go back. Her number is ###-###-####. Good luck.
C. Hesse
I have not had any problems with the dentists that I have seen letting me in with my son. We tried several at first that we didn't like but, they let me in with him. Our recent dentist that we have had for a few years now is very nice to him and always lets me in too. He is in North Riverside, IL so I don't know if you want to travel there. He is at Premier Dental, phone ####-###-####. I like him much better than the new dentist. We had to change dentists do to insurance reasons but she also let me in with him. She is in Cicero at Central Dental Associates (but they answer the phone as Dr. Shah's office). Phone ####-###-####.
I go to a great pediatric dentist, however, he is in Glen Ellyn. We live in Oswego, and your right, it's only 2 times/ year, so I don't mind the drive. I get to go in the back with my son (he's 3 1/2) and he's been there twice already. He sits on my lap while they check out his teeth and clean them. They let him pick a prize and give him a new tooth brush, etc. The dentist's name is Dr. Lance Lambert. The office webiste is: www.babyteeth.net
Good Luck!
R.
Bolingbrook Downers Grove Lombard Wheaton
###-###-#### ###-###-#### ###-###-#### ###-###-####
They are the best what I really like is that they have a specialist for everything there so there is no need for referrals. Everyone in our household, my family and all my friends go here and love them just as much as I do. Prices are reasonable to me and if there is extensive work needed they will work with you on a payment plan. My son sees Mark D. Cabana, DDS out of the Downers Grove office but I am sure ALL of them are just as great as ours and the kids.
We go to Dr. Ewers in Elmhurst, but I believe that they ask that that parents stop going back with the kids at age 4, so you may not want to go to them. I'll probably stop going there if they don't let me go back with my kids! A friend of mine recommended a dentist to me recently. I believe she said they'd let the parents go back with the kids, but you should check to be sure:
Dr. Norman Mills
949 South Main Street, Lombard
630/629-5437
As a former Dental Assistant I can tell you why.
A. Most operatories don't have enough room for 3 adults and a child. Both the assistant and doctor have to be able to move around, hard to do if you are there.
B. Alot of parents nervous about the dentist and kids are VERY intuitive! If you are nervous, they are nervous. Believe it or not, most kids do BETTER without their parents in the room! AND most dentists are compassionate people, they understand the fear! Believe me, there is nothing worse than a parent that clutches their child...OH SWEEETIE IT'S OK THEY WON'T HURT YOUUUUUU! *sob*! OY.
C. At 3 a dental exam consists of the doctor looking at the teeth, doing a quick count to see if he has all his teeth. Seeing if he has any plaque. IF there are issues he will usually refer you to a pediatric dentist. There usually are no x-rays. If you brush his teeth twice a day there should be no reason to do a "cleaning".
I would recommend;
Janda, James M DDS - Prairie Point Dental Inc
Address: 3015 E New York St # A10, Aurora, IL 60504
Phone: ###-###-####
Address: 1112 S Washington St # 203, Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: ###-###-####
Not only is he great with the kids but his staff are all REALLY great people! Give them a try.
No offense but I a so TIRED of people not trusting others! Yes, there are pediphiles out there but do you have to be afraid of EVERYONE?? This isn't even directed just at you, it is directed at all moms that are like this today. I mourn the day when you trusted your doctor, your dentist, your neighbor. How did we EVER survive?? *sigh*
Wheatland Dental in Naperville is awesome !! http://www.wheatlanddental.com/
My daughter was so scared to go to the dentist. I got a recommendation here on mamasource and i'm soo thankful. My daughter went when she was 3 1/2....they are soo child friendly and caring. My husband and my mom went in there with her and took a video for me as I was on bed rest at that time. They were so amazing. They made her feel so comfortable and introduced her one by one to each of the items. Ms. Sunshine was the light above the chair, Mr. Thirsty was that water sucker thingy...etc. They made her wear cool sunglasses so the water doesn't spray on her face and then let her choose her favorite tooth paste. At the end she got to pick up a toy from the toy chest and got a gift bag. Till this day (7 months later) she talks about the dentist and wants to go back. It was such a positive experience. I totally recommend them. My husband and I both go there as well. The only thing is you have to book in advance...they are always booked up. Good luck!
Dr. Gerding. off of chicago ave and naperville blvd. Been going there since i was a kid and now we take our kids. they have no problems with a parent going back. even an extra chair in the room if you would like to sit. my kids love it there because when they are done, they get to pick toys out of the treasure chest. they also get a baggie of floss and a toothbrush that they pick out themselves.
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Dear L.,
I practice general dentistry in Franklin Park. We treat families including children. We allow parents in the room with children as silent partners. We do not want several people communicating at the same time; however, the presence of a parent is often comforting to a child. When we take x-rays, we ask the parent to step out of the room momentarily. If my office is not convienent to you, a friend of mine, Dr. Bob Stone is a pediatric dentist in Bollingbrook. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Dr. D. Pietrini
I took my kids to a Pediatric dentist in Lombard IL. My kids, just over 2 yrs old at the time saw Dr. Mina Chung. We really liked their office and the employees. We were allowed in the back with them and overall it was a great experience.
I go to dR. Caputo and Dr. Glorioso in Naperville near the intersection of 95th and Book Rd. They let you go back with the kids and I really like them. One of my personal friends is one of the hygienists (sp?) and she is great with the kids! Her name is Trisha if you would want to request her...
I know that this place will allow you to go back with your child ... http://www.millenniumfamilydental.com/
Karen Rudman, Naperville Dental Associates, Hobson and Naperville Rd. She's very good and very popular so you won't get a new patient appt for about 9 months. I always go back with my kids.
My son just turned 3.5 and I took him to his first dentist appt. We went to a Dr. Sherry Baker in Oswego. They did not even blink when I went back with my son.They recommeded it.
The hygienst who cleaned his teeth was GREAT>
She made him open his mouth like an alligator to clean his teeth, he got to pick out his favorite flavor of toothpaste, She was just excellent with kids. The kids get stickers and a little gift at the end of the visit. My son laughed the whole time she was counting his teeth and cleaning his teeth. The best part was the next day after I picked up my son from Kindercare he said to me" mom can we go back to the dentist?" The actual dentist, Dr. Sherry Baker was great too. They are located off of rt. 34 in Oswego. Her phone number is ###-###-####. Just wondering what kind of dentist would not let a parent stay with a 3 year old.
I go to Dr. James Zajac in Downers Grove. He encouraged me to bring my 3 year old to my appointment so he could sit and watch me have my dental work done. WE then scheduled the next appointment for my son to be seen by his hygienist and wanted me to be present for the appointment. The Hygienist is great..Svetlana. Very gentle.
Hey L.- I have to say, GOOD FOR YOU. A parent should never let there children go into any Doctors or Dental office room by themself. When they are adults- fine. I found a new Dental office located in Naperville. Dr.Thomas Brown, DDS
web page http://www.drthomasbrown.com/tb2/
their phone number is ###-###-####
They do allow parents in the back with their children. They are really good!
By the way I just read Helen D.'s response and I have to say that she seemed very rude. As parents especially now we need to be careful about what is going on with our children and not to be so quick to trust everyone. It is unfortunate that times have changed in many negative ways. "No offense" to Helen D's response but how dare anyone say a thing when it concerns a parent taking precautions or wanting to be comforitable with the place they bring their family for dental care. There is nothing bad or wrong with a parent who does not trust so easily. L., again, I say GOOD FOR YOU! looking for a dental office that will allow you to be in the room with your child and doing what you know is best for your child and you.
as a pediatric hygienist with over 6 years of ped experience. Most ped dentist only allow parents to come back for the first exam, it sets a tone, especially for fillings parents don't come back, we have sharp instruments and we need the kids to pay attention to us for their safety not trying to look or talk to mom. they tend to communicate with us better, when parents are back they tend to answer for the kids and interupt alot, most ped dentist have an open bay meaning there are 3 to 6 chairs in one big room and kids do great monkey see monkey do if we have a nervous child we may clean the kid next to him and let him watch. You should ask to set up a time you can come in and observe (without your kids) so you feel more comfortable i am a mom to by the way and she goes back without me
I would highly recommend Dr. Villa and Dr. Milazzo in Oswego. I'm not sure if you would want to drive there. We have been going to them for almost 20 years...even before we had kids. When my kids have cleanings or anything else, I am always in the room with them. Both of my kids have cleanings at the same time so I just bounce between rooms and they are absolutely fine with that. You can reach them at ###-###-####.
K.
Hello L.!
Try Dr. Beri in Wheaton on Butterfield Road at ###-###-####. He and the staff are great! I have been going to him for several years, and recently had to take my 3 y.o old son in for his school exam. They let him sit on my lap during the exam. Afterwards they gave him bubbles to play with, and let him choose 1 toy out of the box, and he also walked away with a new power rangers toothbrush. He never cried and was very cooperative during the entire time he was there. That's saying a lot for him! They informed me for the next appointment he can come in with me during my cleaning. Yesterday we just received a thank you card addressed to him from the dentist. Wonderful experience overall!
Good Luck!
J.
L.,
I don't have a dentist to recommend, but I will not take my children when they are 4 and 3 years old (in about 6 months) to a dentist that wont allow me to go back with them. That's just nutz. What is their reason to not allow the parents to be in the room for support (and supervision of course). Sounds to me like a weirdo dentist - they should insist on the parents going along with for liability purposes.
Thanks,Shawn
We take our kids to see Dr. Lee in Downers Grove's Grove Dental. She has always been open about having parents go back with their children. This was a very important thing with us, as our younger son who was three when he had his first appointment, was very clingy. Dr. Lee was so great at putting him at ease that the exam went very well and our son didn't want to leave! I was very impressed. She actually came highly recommended from multiple friends in the area.
