Help Concerned parent!!!

Exactly why I am glad that ECU was allowed to start a Dental School. It is time for the dentists in NC to understand that we are the patients. Their should be no question as to a parent accompanying a minor child. Their should be a greater concern if a parent does not accompany a minor child.

 

At Dr. R's parents are allowed back with the kidlets if they want to be there. I went back with my youngest two for their first visits, but have not needed to go back with them since.

 

My son has been going to Wake Ped. Dentistry since he was 3. During the 5 years we've frequented this practice my child has had many checkups, teeth cleanings, a partial inserted & a tooth pulled. Not once has my son ever seemed upset or worried about visiting this practice (at least not worried about the staff being mean - he was a little concerned when he had to have a tooth pulled recently but he said it wasn't that bad). My son has always left talking about the folks at this practice like they were his buddies. Because of the wonderful staff and dentists at this office, my son has mentioned more that once that he would like to grow up to be a dentist. When leaving once, he told Dr. Horwitz he wished he was a kid so he could come to our house and play sometime. I've been in the waiting room of this practice on many, many occasions and have never witnessed anything that I would find alarming or upsetting. I can't speak for other peoples experiences - but any experiences my family has had with this practice so far have been very positive. Luckily we are blessed with many wonderful dentists in this area. I've been considering visiting Dr. R for my own dental needs in the near future because I've heard so many wonderful things about him. However, because of all the positive experiences we've had with Wake Ped. Dentistry, my son will continue his visits there and when my baby girl arrives, I'm sure she'll be visiting this practice also once she has a mouth full of pearly whites. I have many friends and neighbors who also frequent Wake Ped. Dentistry and I've never heard them mention anything other than praise for this practice. I hate to hear that any child has had a bad experience at school, a doctors office, a daycare, a dentist office ... or anywhere else. However, I can only speak from my family's experiences and I have and would recommend Wake Ped. Dentistry to anyone with children.

 

I am so sorry your little one had such a horrid experience!

We all go to Dr Ricobeene in his 40/42 office. My 5 and 7 year olds love DR R. and Dr Brown! I always go in back with the youngest and for the first time, the 7 year old went in the exam room by herself at her last checkup. I was 2 rooms down the hall in an exam room with the youngest, of course and checked in on her every 5 minutes or so.

Dr. R.'s practice has been completely comfortable with me being in there with the kids. I would be very very concerned when any practice (dental, general ped, etc) tells a parent they cannot go to the exam room with their child. That is a huge red flag and I think it is ridiculous that they say the parent causes more distress for the child. My children have no fear of the dentist even if it is not their favorite place to go. I have always been with them for every exam and I would not have it any other way.

Like Jennifer, we made our decision based on which doctors had no issues with me being in the exam room.

Dr R. and his staff are all incredibly friendly, professional and wonderful with children and I highly recommend them. I sound like a commercial, don't I?!

Good luck finding a new dentist. I applaud you for posting your experience here. You have already helped a number of parents to make better informed decisions regarding their children's dental care.

 

It's 125.00 per visit, 20.00 to replace one of the brackets if broken. Insurance pays for it. I have a 500.00 co-pay on orthodontist. 10.00 on regular visits.

 

more reasons why the American public would never tolerate or afford socialized medicine

 

Well if it is 20 per bracket then that should tell you the mark up on the braces. Not to mention .10 on wire for top and bottom.

 

So Dr. R's office that many on this discussion board think is the greatest Dentist ever is referring patients to this "monsters' office. Something does not seem right here.

 

I don't think there has been a time I was not welcomed to attend the room with my child. Even though it is usually thier mother going because I can't stand to see my kids in pain. But I would be in jail before the words "Shut up!!" came out of thier mouth. That would be a serious serious SERIOUS hazard. I start to get all nutts in my head, I start to hear Metallica's "Four Horsemen" starting to play in my head....then the rest would just be a blur.

 

PoohBear,

Your comment speaks volumes. Dr. R seems to be highly thought of - and hopefully so is his opinion. I doubt he would choose Wake Ped. Dentistry as his first choice of referal's if he didn't have confidence in the practice. I've heard wonderful things about Dr. R and Wake Ped. Dentistry and have no trouble believing these two practices have a great deal of respect for one another.

 

I have a question for all of you that are continuing to praise Wake Ped. Dentist and are so adamant about staying with them . . . why in the world would you ever set foot in this office again if there is even the remotest chance that these children are telling the truth (which I firmly believe they are)?

Maybe your child is one of the lucky ones who has not received this type of treatment. Maybe your child does not get anxious at the dentist to cause them to have to restrain them or talk ugly to them.

It just seems like bad parenting (child abuse?) to KNOWINGLY take your child to this monster when you have heard from many people on here what HAS and CAN happen. You could not pay me enough $ to take my child there ever again if she were a current patient.

Just my 2 cents worth. . . go ahead and flame away! I just encourage all of you who say you will not leave this practice to really think about the possible situation you are putting your children in.

 

Is there a Dentist that monitors this discussion board?

I don't believe these individuals are flaming anyone. Several have stated they have many years of "very satisfied" experiences with this practice. If you have had years of completely satisfied service from a dentist you would be shocked at these recent developments.
I thought I remember a dentist previously posting on this discussion board. I searched but could not find the posts I was looking for. Maybe if there is a dentist that monitors this discussion board that they could advise the original poster what steps they should take in this situation.

 

Pooh Bear,

Every dentist in our area refers to Wake Pediatric Dentistry. The situation that happened is very concerning. I've already called Wake Pediatric Dentistry and asked them to respond to the thread. I wasn't there and therefore can't comment on what happened. 95% of the children that come to our office, remain in our office, we don't refer them out. If we think it is in the best interest of the patient to see a pediatric dentist, we will refer them. I have four children and treat every patient as if they were my own. My rule of thumb on referrals is they have to treat patients as well or better than we do. If I get negative feedback on a referral, I take it seriously. I have stopped refering to specific practitioners based on my patients feedback. I have personally never had a negative response to Wake Pediatric Dentistry. My wife is getting her braces done there in their Orthodontic division. I wouldn't send my patients anywhere I wouldn't send my own family. That being said, the situation as described by the patients mom, does not sound good.

Michael Riccobene, DDS

 

cool. Very appreciative of the steps you have taken.

 

Thank you Dr. R!

 

In light of this situation is there a sound more uncomfortable than a dentist drill?

 

^-----used to fall asleep every time I went to the dentist, and it wasn't form the gas, just something about them puts me to sleep.

 

Thanks Dr. R for responding to the posters and trust me folks, he does follow through on complaints. Once again Dr. R. rocks:-D

 

Please tell me you are not paying $125 per visit in addition to the $4500. When my kids had braces we paid the $4500 and that covered everything the entire time they wore them including the 1st retainer. and i never paid to replace anything. sounds like you are getting robbed.

 

Thank you Dr. R for listening,
If you would like to speak to me or my daughter she is 8 please email me.
one2manycjones@aol.com

Dr. H has called me twice today apologizing and admitting to me 99 percent of everything except that he didn't say shut up to her he told her to be quiet.And has asked me to please let it go.

I have fowarded many of your emails onto the juvinile detective in garner to look over.

DSS can't do anything do anything about it they don't have any juristiction.
I think next I will be contacting the news as suggested but want to give the officers some time to respond.