Trip to the Dentist

There are so many "firsts" with a little one. Now that Baby Bear is two and a half, the firsts are slowing down a bit...so have to savor each one. So even though work is crazy, stressed, overwhelming....off we went to the dentist.

I have been feeling guilty about little one's dental care. We brush morning and night; though, sometimes this is just chewing on the toothbrush or watching Daddy and me brushing our teeth (does that count...clean teeth by osmosis?). Anyway, I dutifully found a Pediatric Dentist to ensure that Baby Bear's first dental visit would be with someone who understands the Rug Rats of the world. Our insurance plan has no Pediatic Dentists close by, so I made an appointment with one down in Houston ...and the wait for an appointment was three months!! Which, was today...finally.

Off we trundle, Momma Bear, Daddy Bear and Baby Bear. We all have to share in this first, as we are sure it is going to be a special occasion to celebrate for one and all. We filled out the requisite paperwork for a first time patient and then sat in the waiting room reading kiddie dentist books. After awhile, little one got bored and unpacked her diaper bag. She found my swim goggles (left in there from our last trip to the pool) so she had to wear those around (mighty funny looking...where is the camera when I need it).

The nurse came to take us for X-rays. I wasn't sure how that would go. She climbed right into the chair. When the nurse showed her what would happen (where the machine would go and then how to bit on the X-ray), Baby Bear started to crawl off the chair. I asked her is she wanted to sit in the chair by herself or with me, she chose to sit with me. Thus, we sat in the chair together. She bit on the X-ray and sat still for both shots. She was great!

Another wait in the waiting room. Then, finally they came for us for the exam. Little one again crawled up on the chair. She put on the sunglasses they offered her. Then....the nurse went away to get the doctor.....five minutes later, no doctor. Ten minutes later....no doctor. What are they thinking leaving a 2 year old in a room with lots of scary tools and nothing to do. Finally, when little one would no longer sit still, we went back to the waiting room and asked them to come get us when the doctor was actually ready to see us. Another 15 minutes and finally she was ready. Little one scrambled up in the chair. She opened her mouth when asked. The doctor looked at her teeth, brushed them a bit ....and all of three minutes later, we were out the door.

One, we were very happy that little one was so brave. Two, the title of pediatric dentist is highly over rated as I was disappointed in the way they handled the wait in the room. Will likely just stay close to home for our next foray to the dentist.