Is it legal for an kid's orthodontist to not let a parent in the room?!
Question: Is it legal for an kid's orthodontist to not let a parent in the room.?
My friend's daughter, who is 8 now, went to an orthodontist for the first time today. Their dentist recommended him, and they trust the dentist, so they don't want to leave. When it was time for her to be shown in, her mom stood up to go in with her. The assistant stopped her and told her it was against doctor's policy for parents to come in with their children. Is that legal.? Is he allowed to enforce this.? Is it NORMAL.? My friend raised a stink and finally they let her in. At that point, the doctor was really rude to her, making it clear he was pissed off. Does anyone know DEFINITELY whether this is legal or not.? Thanks!Health Question & Answer
Answers:
People, its completely LEGAL! Yes i can see that you are surprised but its true. Go check it out.
Sometimes dentists enforce the policy of patient-only because many parents make more of a fuss then the child. Plus with the parent around the child might act overly sensitive just to gain the parent's sympathy.
Whether its RIGHT or not is a personal call. I don't know any dentist who enforce this policy exclusively, myself included. Yes we CAN and DO ask the parent to wait outside ONLY if it helps deal with the child better. But never on the first visit!
Dr. SamiHealth Question & Answer
Sometimes dentists enforce the policy of patient-only because many parents make more of a fuss then the child. Plus with the parent around the child might act overly sensitive just to gain the parent's sympathy.
Whether its RIGHT or not is a personal call. I don't know any dentist who enforce this policy exclusively, myself included. Yes we CAN and DO ask the parent to wait outside ONLY if it helps deal with the child better. But never on the first visit!
Dr. SamiHealth Question & Answer
Isn't the orthodontist the one who does the braces.? I think he wanted to speak to the girl privately to find out how she wants her teeth to look. I applaud him. I don't think childrens' input is taken into account enough when medical decisions are being made for them.Health Question & Answer
I think it is not legal, but if I were her I would look for another orthodontist it is not normal to behave in this manner. there has to be somebody maybe better than the one she chooses and with the best credentials, check with the orthodontist organization.Health Question & Answer
It's definitely illegal. No one has the right to remove a child from her legal guardian apart from government organizations (the police, CPS etc).Health Question & Answer
they r allowed to do that but they have to ask the kid if he or she wants the parent there with them. if they don't they can't do thatHealth Question & Answer
I cannot answer on the legality of anything, however I'm an adult with braces, and I'm amazed at the poor children and teenagers who have their parents or parent go into the office with them while I'm waiting. I've over heard many a parent's discussion with the ortho and feel so sorry for these poor kids who get no say at all in the matter - when it's their teeth in question.
My orthodontist and his nurse have told me many times after a difficult session with a 'parent', how distracting and upsetting the parent's presence can be, how they can make the sessions double the length because they won't let them just get on with it. Remember they're trained in this profession (unlike the parents) and most often the children are not in there alone, there's almost always a nurse or assistant there with them.
I, like the poster above, applaud the ortho for wanting to have a private conversation to the child about their teeth - key word, THEIR. Parents spend too much time controlling the wrong areas of their child's lives, and not the ones that matter.
Have you ever noticed the number of children who post in this section, who have NO IDEA what to expect with their braces.? I would be willing to bet money on the fact that it's because their parents are controlling the sessions and not passing the important information on, or that the ortho would not have been able to give this information because of the parents hijacking the conversation. They do have other patients to treat, so they don't have all the time in the world to spend, and I have heard this happening myself more than once, so it's a fact, not just my opinion.
I think that your friend and the ortho could both have handled the situation better.Health Question & Answer
My orthodontist and his nurse have told me many times after a difficult session with a 'parent', how distracting and upsetting the parent's presence can be, how they can make the sessions double the length because they won't let them just get on with it. Remember they're trained in this profession (unlike the parents) and most often the children are not in there alone, there's almost always a nurse or assistant there with them.
I, like the poster above, applaud the ortho for wanting to have a private conversation to the child about their teeth - key word, THEIR. Parents spend too much time controlling the wrong areas of their child's lives, and not the ones that matter.
Have you ever noticed the number of children who post in this section, who have NO IDEA what to expect with their braces.? I would be willing to bet money on the fact that it's because their parents are controlling the sessions and not passing the important information on, or that the ortho would not have been able to give this information because of the parents hijacking the conversation. They do have other patients to treat, so they don't have all the time in the world to spend, and I have heard this happening myself more than once, so it's a fact, not just my opinion.
I think that your friend and the ortho could both have handled the situation better.Health Question & Answer