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What would you do?

misskittykat

My daughter (13) has a very small mouth and lots of big teeth.  The orthodontist has recomended 4 teeth being removed.  We've known this would happen for a long time as she was unusually early with her teeth so has been seeing the orthodontist and hygenist since she was 9.  They were ready to do the work last year but I decided to up sticks and move to the other end of the country to be near family so delayed the treatment.  The old orthodontist was a mum from her school.  It was a small practice, very close to our old home and my daughter felt comfortable there.

The new orthodontist is the biggest flashiest practice I've ever seen (we have no choice of where to go so can't change).  They terrified the life out of her when she went with the amount of people in the room etc. He referred her on to have teeth taken out by GA as he could see how distressed she was and knew she wouldn't cope with having them taken out by them.  We've just been to the dentist connected with the hospital and this has traumatised my daughter again.  We had to leave before I could sign any consent and discuss risks of a GA.

My daughter is adament that she does not want to have her teeth out.  I know this is her anxiety talking and I've left it for now.  I've promised her that nothing will be done without her agreement.  

The orthodontist has now called and asked we go back to see him to discuss.  Part of me believes she has the right to choose but the other part of me thinks that I am not doing my best by her.  The two lower teeth could stay however the two top teeth are actually behind her two front teeth which not only looks unsightly, could cause problems as she ages because its not possible to clean them as well as they should be.

My initial thoughts were that we delay again for another year.  She has had a very difficult year with my moving and a change of schools and her anxiety is at a peak.  I can't discuss with friends/family as they don't really understand how difficult being on the spectrum is.  Any thoughts?

Parents

  • Hi Miss Kitty Kat,

    It does sound like a dilema, if you do decide to go back, would it be worth making up a Social Story for her to understand what will happen, they can be so useful when children havent been somewhere before and if you include the actual pictures of the dentist, the enviroment even right down to your car, it may help her make sense of things a little easier when she's there because she knows what to expect thus lowering her anxiety and allowing her feel like she is in control. It might be good to add in things like how she can take in her favorite toy/blanket. The more visual the better. Dentists do now have to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act so even asking for the last appointment of the day or an appointment first thing before the clinic starts may be a good thing to ask. If they do seem resistent the Equality Act gives you some clout and support.

Reply

  • Hi Miss Kitty Kat,

    It does sound like a dilema, if you do decide to go back, would it be worth making up a Social Story for her to understand what will happen, they can be so useful when children havent been somewhere before and if you include the actual pictures of the dentist, the enviroment even right down to your car, it may help her make sense of things a little easier when she's there because she knows what to expect thus lowering her anxiety and allowing her feel like she is in control. It might be good to add in things like how she can take in her favorite toy/blanket. The more visual the better. Dentists do now have to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act so even asking for the last appointment of the day or an appointment first thing before the clinic starts may be a good thing to ask. If they do seem resistent the Equality Act gives you some clout and support.

Children
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