My team and I like to have a parent present during their child’s dental care.
We would like to share with you the policy we successfully use in our pediatric dental practice when addressing adult presence during patient care.
Here are the principles that allow my Team and me to deliver quality dental care at each visit, and we insist on quality care.
1. Children in the treatment room can distract patients and may create a safety hazard. Infants and other children must remain in the reception area with a parent or designated adult.
2. One adult is invited to be present during dental care and treatment. Only in special circumstances will more than one adult be invited to be present.
3. Be a silent observer. Supporting your child with light touches. This allows us to communicate with your child because children listen to the voice they love best and we cannot compete. Parents want to help by giving their child guidance, but may give misleading or incorrect information. If at any time you would like us to stop treatment, tell us immediately, and while it may not be safe to stop instantly, we’ll finish any uncompleted procedure as quickly as possible so your child is comfortable after care is completed.
4. Be supportive of our practice terminology prior to and after dental care by using descriptive terminology that is age appropriate. For example, we would say “sleepy juice” to a toddler, not “a shot”.
If asked to leave be ready to immediately walk away. You may remain in the treatment room, but out of your child’s sight. Some children are more emotional with a parent present and this can prevent a positive outcome. We will support your child at all times, even if you prefer to wait in our reception area.
These principles were designed to give a parent confidence and allow him or her to actively support a successful dental visit. We are confident that all will go well.
I want to thank Dr. Greg Psaltis of Olympia, Washington for the above Parental Guidelines, which he so graciously allows me and other dentists to use. I have changed only a few items to best fit my practice.
