Why are parents neglecting their kids teeth?

I am a dental assistant and I am amazed at all the kids that I have seen with tons of cavities. I dont mean small ones in 3-4 teeth. I mean multiple rotten teeth that have been that way for a long time. I know dental work can be expensive, but these are children. Does anyone else feel this is downright neglect??

Why are parents neglecting their kids teeth?
I agree and I think it's criminal. To make matters worse, these are the parents who can often be heard to use the dentist as a threat to their child. "If you don't [fill in the blank], he's gonna get out the biggest needle you ever saw." Or, they still have the lollipop stuck in their teeth when they get in the chair and the parent says they just don't understand why the child has so many cavities.





Many have remarked that it is ironic that you must have prove you have taken your dog to the vet to get a license to own him, but nobody cares who has kids.
Reply:I had no idea such a thing was even happening... I thought kids had some sort of immunity or something.


I got my first cavity when I was 16, and I've had four, I think? I know plenty of adults who are just letting their teeth rot... I can't imagine the pain. When something starts to go wrong, I go have it checked out... I can't stand the pain or the headaches that come with it...
Reply:Proper dental hygiene, like all social norms, has to be taught. I believe many people don't understand the importance or don't believe it is unavoidable. I was having this discussion with a neighbor recently because her grandson had to undergo anesthesia in order to have 13 deep cavities filled. Her explanation is that it is easier and cheaper in terms of out-of-pocket costs because she can't afford healthy foods and he won't eat them. However, her insurance will cover dental work. I guess as long as there is a "quick fix" people aren't interested in preventative care.
Reply:I think a lot of times parents don't realize that they need to start seeking dental care for there children once they have teeth. It is too bad they don't know that once you have teeth you can have cavities and they don't educate themselves. It is a shame. Prevention is the key and it is a lot cheaper too.
Reply:It is all about the cost because many dental offices want the money all paid upfront before doing any work and do not offer monthly payment plans. Also, many health insurances have LOUSY dental plans pay very little and cover very few things. It would be better if dental work was not so expensive then everyone would be able to afford dental work.
Reply:I'm a dental assistant too, and we see this every day just like you. It's sad, but yeah...people tell us that they simply don't have the money or insurance, so they can't afford to take their kids to the dentist. Some parents just don't have the knowledge of how important it is to start caring for their kids' teeth early. Sometimes, I wonder about neglect myself, especially when I look in to take an x-ray and every tooth in the child's head has decay - and they're in the office that day because the child has been up all night crying in pain. I think the saddest part is that in many cases, they get the one painful tooth taken care of, but don't return for the others. Where I live, (small town in western NC) there are tons of people with either financial problems, medicaid (most dentists won't accept), or little education of how important dental care is. Hospitals and pediatricians attempt to educate by giving out literature to new parents, but I think most new parents don't read the pamphlets. Sad, huh? All we can do is try to reinforce the importance of dental care to the parents, and take care of the children when they're in the chair. Hopefully, they'll bring their kids back to have their teeth restored.
Reply:yeah it is neglect .. but some parents them self have no idea .. they too are lack of education about teeth.. most parents or older people b4 our time dint think that teeth are part of our health.. a simple fluoride tablets or fluoridated water can do a lot of help..
Reply:I have a son who is almost five and a daughter who is almost three. My son has never had a cavity a day in his life and my daughter has a mouth full of them. They have always been together so they eat and drink the same things, both have crest spin brushes they use every day and night (we brush for them) and both have been given the same amount of dental care. So why do I have one with problems and one without? My daughter suffered a fall when she had just turned two and knocked out her front tooth and damaged several others around them. After that she would not let anyone near her mouth for several months. Then when I took her to a pediatric dentist, they assured me that they were trained in dealing with two year old's and that I must wait outside. When they finished x rays she was screaming and turning blue when they came out from being in such a panic. We never went back. Now I am trying so hard to find someone who will fix her teeth and every damn dentist I go to makes me feel like a horrible parent because of her teeth! You people are good at that. But could it be there is some medical reason her teeth are not as good as her brother's? Well you guys would hate to admit that now, wouldn't you? That would mean that health insurance could pay for a portion of dental treatment and that would cut out on you guys receiving some of your share. And tell me this: When we come in with our kids with bad teeth and you guys tell us you need four thousand up front to treat them and offer no payment plan or anything to help, how in the world are you to expect people to come up with that kind of money? Will their guilt suddenly pull it out of their asses? I don't think so. So in conclusion, miss dental hygenist, perhaps you should consider that not everyone you're snubbing when they come into your office can help that their child has bad teeth. Maybe they have done their best. It is possible that kids just have bad teeth!!



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