Anonymous wrote:I'm going to get DCUM crushed for even asking this question, but my 8 year old is on spring break, and I have a dentist appointment at 930 AM. Spouse all of a sudden has a work emergency and had to go into the office. I'm going to call the office to ask when they open, but what's your gut, is it okay for my child to sit in the dentist lobby during my appointment?

No. Hire a babysitter. You can't take him room with you and you would have to leave him in waiting room where he will be bored to tears. Why would you even think this is a good idea?

Yes they came into the room with me and read a book or looked at picture books before they could read. Bonus is that they had been really scared at their own dentist appointments but this helped normalize it and reduce the fear.

Anonymous wrote:My dentist still isn’t allowing people in the waiting room “due to Covid.” I would leave an 8 year old at home if I thought they could be responsible and keep to themselves (don’t answer door, don’t go outside, etc.) for the hour or so that I was gone. I know there are kids in my neighborhood who come home from school before their parents are home and are alone for an hour or two.

This (bizarre COVID rules) would be my only concern but you can ask. I don’t blame you for not knowing what is ok - I have a similar age child and since 2020 many providers won’t allow siblings or even more than one parent to attend kid appointments. And some of those rules have just lingered pointlessly.

Bring book/iPad and it would be fine. 8 is too young to stay home for that long in MOCO at least.

Yes, it's fine. Maybe give the dentist a heads up but when I've had to do this, my dentist has always been totally welcoming. I once had to have a temporary crown replaced on an emergency basis, and my dentist did it while my 8 month old daughter was in the bassinet of a stroller we managed to wheel into the corner of the exam room. I obviously told them ahead of time what the deal was (I didn't have childcare that day and we were leaving on vacation the following morning so it couldn't wait) and they were very welcoming and kind about it. They wouldn't even blink about an 8 you sitting in the waiting room or even sitting in the chair in the exam room.

My dentist still isn’t allowing people in the waiting room “due to Covid.” I would leave an 8 year old at home if I thought they could be responsible and keep to themselves (don’t answer door, don’t go outside, etc.) for the hour or so that I was gone. I know there are kids in my neighborhood who come home from school before their parents are home and are alone for an hour or two.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dentist would require a mask. But it would be fine.

No one asked Karen.

Take your kid. It’s fine

No one asked for a demonstration of incorrect ways to use "Karen," but here you are, anyway.

Anonymous wrote:My dentist would require a mask. But it would be fine.

No one asked Karen.

Take your kid. It’s fine

My dentist would require a mask. But it would be fine.

Yep, perfectly fine. Even if you're normally a "no screens" parent, I would make an exception and let him bring an IPad or something so that he'll sit quietly.

What? Of course! And it's even ok for them to be bored.

Are you unfamiliar with poor, single parents? I brought my daughter everywhere until she was old enough to stay home alone.

At 8...sure. Bring a screen or book. Let the person at the desk know if there are any issues, to let you know. They may let him sit in the room with you too.

This seems totally fine

Yes it’s fine. Depending on how close it is it’s probably also going to leave him at home too.

I'm going to get DCUM crushed for even asking this question, but my 8 year old is on spring break, and I have a dentist appointment at 930 AM. Spouse all of a sudden has a work emergency and had to go into the office. I'm going to call the office to ask when they open, but what's your gut, is it okay for my child to sit in the dentist lobby during my appointment?