I had an unacceptable experience at the dentist with my 16-year-old daughter, who struggles with anxiety and was there for a root canal. She had previously undergone surgery to remove four impacted wisdom teeth, which caused damage to the tooth requiring the root canal. During...
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I had an unacceptable experience at the dentist with my 16-year-old daughter, who struggles with anxiety and was there for a root canal. She had previously undergone surgery to remove four impacted wisdom teeth, which caused damage to the tooth requiring the root canal. During the examination before administering novocain, the doctor remarked, "Oh wow, this is gonna be a hard one," which understandably made her nervous. She asked to see me, but her request was ignored—an unacceptable oversight for a minor.When the doctor finally spoke to me, it was in the public waiting area with staff standing at the door, making me feel like I was being scolded. He suggested she might need “medication” to calm her down and sedation for the procedure, despite her recent oral surgery at the Jackson Encore location, where she had no issues.She has had cavities filled with novocain before without problems. As a minor, she deserves support, and when she asks for her mother, someone should ensure I am there. Dental visits can be traumatic for many —young OR old— and I urge this practice to improve how they communicate with patients to help them feel safe and supported.