Dental HELP!!!

I am at a loss for what to do with my son. He's 5 years old, has been going to the dentist since he was 3 and still has a meltdown every time we go. In the 2 1/2 years he's been going he's only had 2 "successful" cleanings. The first was because they wrapped him in a papoose board (which I refuse to ever partake in again, we switched dentists after they insisted on doing it again and wouldn't let me be with him) and the second he screamed throughout, but at least sat still enough for the dentist to do what he needed to do. Today he wouldn't even lay down and when he finally did he kicked and screamed and squirmed. I tried for 20 minutes to calm him, but to no avail. He kept screaming that he didn't want to be there and wanted to go home so of course he got what he wanted because the dentist wasn't able to do anything. I hate that he was "rewarded" with what he wanted because he won't learn anything from the experience. He currently has an injury to his two front teeth and they're starting to discolor so I wanted them examined, but the dentist was only able to peek at them real quick so he couldn't tell the full extent of the injury. I'm desperate for a solution, but I fear there is no hope for him  

I do things like take DD out to eat where she wants for lunch afterward, or allow her $10 to 20 for a toy.

Quoting ♥ Mama Jo ♥:" I am at a loss for what to do with my son. He's 5 years old, has been going to the dentist since he was ... [snip!] ... quick so he couldn't tell the full extent of the injury. I'm desperate for a solution, but I fear there is no hope for him  "

I am not sure. My kids beg to go to the dentist. lol But our dentist I have seen with kids like your son, usually never have the parents in the room, cause its easier to control the behavior if mom and dad are not there.

There isn't any kind of laughing has type solution for kids?
I'm not normally for giving kids mess to sedate them but if he has an actual injury and needs to be looked at! Have you tried bribing him with something he really wants?

Quoting [JadeLee]:" I do things like take DD out to eat where she wants for lunch afterward, or allow her $10 to 20 for a toy."

We've tried rewarding for good behavior at the dentist and we've tried taking things away for poor behavior at the dentist...neither works  

I would have taken him into the bathroom or outside and tell him in a stern voice. "Listen we are here to get your teeth cleaned, if you do not SIT STILL like a big boy then I will take away (whatever he really likes to do like t.v. computer etc.) such and such. He needs to know that he is NOT in control and he did win so he will ALWAYS do this until you are stern with him. With my daughter if she acts up at my in-laws house (because they would let her get away with murder) I take her in the room and tell her how I want her to act and if she can't do that then she gets something taken away or we leave earlier. Hope this helps, also if that doesn't work, have him go in and watch other kids or "help" to clean his own teeth? Do you have a stuffed toy he can bring and they can show him what they are going to do on his toy?

Quoting Jenna+1:" There isn't any kind of laughing has type solution for kids? I'm not normally for giving kids mess to ... [snip!] ... them but if he has an actual injury and needs to be looked at! Have you tried bribing him with something he really wants?"

The nitrous would likely be ineffective because he won't sit still enough and breathe through his nose properly to inhale the gas.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ♥ Mama Jo ♥:</b>" The nitrous would likely be ineffective because he won't sit still enough and breathe through his nose properly to inhale the gas."</blockquote>




Well even holding it near his face should work because if he is screaming he is breathing.

Quoting Amanda Contento:" I would have taken him into the bathroom or outside and tell him in a stern voice. "Listen we are here ... [snip!] ... to clean his own teeth? Do you have a stuffed toy he can bring and they can show him what they are going to do on his toy? "

I'm taking my daughter for the first time next week. I think (and I pray) that she will behave so I'm hoping if he sees her cooperate it will help. I don't know.....

Quoting Jenna+1:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ♥ Mama Jo ♥:</b>" The nitrous would likely be ... [snip!] ... the gas."</blockquote> Well even holding it near his face should work because if he is screaming he is breathing."

I don't know, I'm just going off what the dentist told us

At this point I'd go with bribery.

Find a pediatric dentist that specializes in fearful & special needs children. They will have better tactics than a traditional dentist. Mine had TVs for them to watch.

Take him for icecream after a successful visit. Talk to him first though. Say we can go get ice cream when your done if you cooperate with the dentist or we can go straight home with no tv for the day. Make the choice up to him & follow through.

Quoting ♥ Mama Jo ♥:" I'm taking my daughter for the first time next week. I think (and I pray) that she will behave so I'm hoping if he sees her cooperate it will help. I don't know....."

My daughter had to have a tooth pulled and she was such a great girl she sat there while they put the mask on and she got to watch Cinderella. She had another loose tooth and she asked if the dentist could pull it out so she can watch Cinderella again lol. I said you have Cinderella and I could pull it lol. I hope he gets used to it. maybe he is just scared because he doesn't know what to expect?

Quoting Amanda Contento:" My daughter had to have a tooth pulled and she was such a great girl she sat there while they put the ... [snip!] ... Cinderella and I could pull it lol. I hope he gets used to it. maybe he is just scared because he doesn't know what to expect?"

My daughter is just such a different child. She has a peanut allergy and actually looks forward to going to the allergist for her skin tests. She goes on Wednesday and has been talking about it non-stop for a week. They just called to confirm and she heard it on the answering machine and she started celebrating, lol! I really hope she's the same way with the dentist so she can lead by example for him.

Can the dentist give him like a sedative or something? The papoose (sp?) is pretty standard for kids that won't cooperate, but them not allowing you to be present is a red flag.

Quoting Destinite:" Can the dentist give him like a sedative or something? The papoose (sp?) is pretty standard for kids that won't cooperate, but them not allowing you to be present is a red flag."

I don't know what kind of sedation is available aside from NO, but the dentist said he didn't feel it would work as my son cannot remain calm enough for him to administer it and if he can't inhale it properly it wouldn't be effective.