I cut and pasted (and edited for anonymity) this post my sister made on Facebook this evening. We're just flabbergasted that anybody could be so rude and unfeeling. My sister has already posted on Yelp and contacted Kool Smiles through their website and Facebook page, so we'll see what happens.
"So most people who know me and know me well will get this. My 10 year old daughter was complaining of a tooth hurting so we made an appointment for her to go to the dentist at the Kool Smiles in <town>. Raise your hand if you like going to the dentist? No? well either does she. She went back fine with the assistant and we (her parents) were called to the back room. On one side of her mouth she needs two baby root canals and two caps. The assistant says very rudely, "She was bad. We just took an X-ray and it was too hard! She doesn't listen and carries on way to much for her age." What?, I said. "she needs to start acting her age! I don't think the dentist will touch her, because she won't sit still", said the assistant. Well by this time I say ok (muttering bitch under my breath). I explained to the assistant that my daughter has several special needs - ADHD, Bipolar Disorder and a Developmental Delay. She replied, "I have to believe you because that's what you say." WTF! No, that's what at least 10 doctors and handful of therapist say. She still says " I can't see anything wrong with her." She tells me they are referring her to University of <state>. I ask how long will that take? She says, "I have no idea, just call and make the appointment - give her some tylenol for the pain until you get in." I wait patiently for her referral, X ray and whatever else. The assistant then says 'Don't bring her back here!"
I had so many things I wanted to say but all I could say is sorry she doesn't have a disability you can see. No, she doesn't have Down syndrome or CP or is in a wheelchair and sorry you can't see her disability but none the less she does have one. The assistant said "It's not written down." Well, I turn the next page of her chart and guess what? there they are... Listed.
You don't need to worry about either of my children going to ANY Kool Smiles anymore. I want my children to feel accepted wherever they go. You talk about being at a low point as a parent. Powerless to say anything calmly, powerless for people just to treat people kindly, for people to have understanding, for people to see WE try real hard to teach our kids to listen and understand but this is what GOD gave us to work with. I don't think my daughter caught ALL of it but she did catch she was BAD. Well thank you dentist assistant for adding that to my day with a child with a tooth ache. You should NEVER work with a child again, and Kool Smiles should not advertise that they work with children with Special Needs."
"So most people who know me and know me well will get this. My 10 year old daughter was complaining of a tooth hurting so we made an appointment for her to go to the dentist at the Kool Smiles in <town>. Raise your hand if you like going to the dentist? No? well either does she. She went back fine with the assistant and we (her parents) were called to the back room. On one side of her mouth she needs two baby root canals and two caps. The assistant says very rudely, "She was bad. We just took an X-ray and it was too hard! She doesn't listen and carries on way to much for her age." What?, I said. "she needs to start acting her age! I don't think the dentist will touch her, because she won't sit still", said the assistant. Well by this time I say ok (muttering bitch under my breath). I explained to the assistant that my daughter has several special needs - ADHD, Bipolar Disorder and a Developmental Delay. She replied, "I have to believe you because that's what you say." WTF! No, that's what at least 10 doctors and handful of therapist say. She still says " I can't see anything wrong with her." She tells me they are referring her to University of <state>. I ask how long will that take? She says, "I have no idea, just call and make the appointment - give her some tylenol for the pain until you get in." I wait patiently for her referral, X ray and whatever else. The assistant then says 'Don't bring her back here!"
I had so many things I wanted to say but all I could say is sorry she doesn't have a disability you can see. No, she doesn't have Down syndrome or CP or is in a wheelchair and sorry you can't see her disability but none the less she does have one. The assistant said "It's not written down." Well, I turn the next page of her chart and guess what? there they are... Listed.
You don't need to worry about either of my children going to ANY Kool Smiles anymore. I want my children to feel accepted wherever they go. You talk about being at a low point as a parent. Powerless to say anything calmly, powerless for people just to treat people kindly, for people to have understanding, for people to see WE try real hard to teach our kids to listen and understand but this is what GOD gave us to work with. I don't think my daughter caught ALL of it but she did catch she was BAD. Well thank you dentist assistant for adding that to my day with a child with a tooth ache. You should NEVER work with a child again, and Kool Smiles should not advertise that they work with children with Special Needs."
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