papoose technique at dentist

[Anonymous]

We go to Kids Teeth off of Shady Grove. My son has huge anxiety around anyone touching him. The first visit the hygenist just asked him to open his mouth and showed him the instruments. He was allowed to touch the instruments. They asked me to bring him back 2 weeks later. This time they showed him the instruments and allowed him to place them in his mouth. They also asked him to show them how he brushes his teeth. 2 weeks later we went back and this time he let them count and brush his teeth.

That was 2 years ago. Now we only go every 6 months but he trusts his hygenist. At our last visit they actually got X-rays.

Turns out that he had a lot of cavities. We discussed how to best fill them. The dentist recommended General annesthsia based on his history. It was the best idea.

We're very happy there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please don't do that. This went out in the 70s. It is brutal and sadistic.

Please go to a special needs dentist. I don't know if you are in Maryland, but Ensor Lewis Johnson is certified in special needs dentistry. Please talk to them.

http://www.ejldental.com/

I second the recommendation for EJL - Dr. Lewis is incredibly kind and patient. My son has had several dental exams in my lap.

Hopefully the office has changed but we had a miserable appointment a few years ago. She was very nice but the office setting was terrible. They placed us in a large open room with tons of patients. An special needs teenager (very special needs but verbal) was listening to Dr. ask me very private and personal (all appropriate) questions about my child's background. She would bounce between patients several times and every time she left, the woman next to us, well-meaning asked us a ton of questions. Also, we had to pay full price when all she did was look and tell us everything was ok. She didn't even clean with a toothbrush. The office is very loud and chaotic because of the set up and lack of private rooms. (They have moved since then so maybe the new set up is better). Not having any privacy for a special needs child with a complex history is concerning to me.

New poster -- this does not sound at all like Dr. Lewis. Did you specify that you have a special needs child? We were placed in a room by ourselves and saw Dr. Lewis along with two dental assistants. Everything was confidential.

Yes, I did. I made several comments about it and she kept asking questions. She was very rushed bouncing between patients (she was very nice). I had no issue sharing with her but it was not a comfortable situation with others listening (not that they would do anything with that information but its nice to have privacy).

[Anonymous]

This whole conversation makes me feel that it can be very very hard to get dentist to work with some challenging kids -- it takes more than a sweet voice and a good attitude. I had to tell the hygenist that saying '`now you need to sit down in the chair because other kids are waiting'' is not going to work with a severely anxious kid, even if you say it really sweetly. Saying "i'm just going to brush your teeth doesn't work with a kid who is scared to death.

[Anonymous]

If you're willing to go to Leesburg, nothing but the highest praise for Michael Gazori and Little Pearls Dentistry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ensor was terrible. Dr kuwbara is much better

Is it Roger Kuwabara? He was wonderful but he retired.

Alan Kuwabara - maybe that was his dad, don't know.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/alan-k-kuwabara-dds-washington

He will just brush the teeth, sealant and check if child is scared of the hygenist. My kid was scared of it all, especially the cleaning machine for several years. He was good, patient and worked quickly. Finally, one visit my kid snapped out of it and completely cooperated and had fun. Dr. Kuwabara came in worried to make sure everything was ok given he was prepared for a difficult visit.

I believe that Alan's dad was also a dentist in the area, so may very well have been Roger.
Agree that Dr. Alan Kuwabara is fantastic. My older child has some anxiety, and he actually looks forward to seeing the dentist! He is really funny, gets "kid" humor (likes to exchange gross-out jokes with 9 year old DS), and is very gentle.