Thank you, my readers, so much for your tremendous feedback after the last dental fiasco. Today restored my faith in humanity and pediatric dentistry. Dr. Hagerman suggested I try taking Boo to Dr. Rick Baylon at Pediatric Dentistry in Woodbury. If you are looking for a caring, gentle dental office that can put the most anxious of children at ease, look no further. Run, do not walk, to your phone and make an appointment. The website is wdby@PediatricDentistryMN.com.
Boo Bear was fairly relaxed going into this appointment because I promised there would be no owies, we were just going to look at his teeth and chat. He liked the hygienist right off the bat because she had on a cool Halloween smock and funky earrings. He looked her in the eye and grinned. She started chatting him up about various Halloween things and he giggled. He pulled out his iPad and she sat down next to him and they had a lovely chat about bowling. This blew me away. There are very few adults Boo will openly chat with, and even fewer adults that take his attempts at communication seriously. By the time Dr. Rick came in they were chatting like old friends.
Dr. Rick introduced himself and to my amazement turned to me and apologized for any abuse that Boo had endured under Dr. Alevizos, his previous dentist, who is now under scrutiny by the state board. He was gentle, personable, and clearly understood kids, autism and sensory issues. Boo was completely relaxed around him. He looked in Boo’s mouth and said there were a few spots that looked like possible decay. We set up a date to meet at Children’s Hospital next month to do some work under anesthesia. He was happy to set up an early morning slot as I explained that Boo did not do fasting well at all. Half an hour later, a totally relaxed Boo and an eternally grateful mom hit the road to grab a snack and head to school. This clinic takes children up to the age of 18, but will accept special needs clients until they are 21. It is easy to say that Boo has now found a new dental home for the next 3.5 years.
As we drove away, I was musing on how blessed Boo and I are to have not only a fantastic dentist, but such a wonderful school. Due to health needs, Boo has missed at least one day of school almost every week this fall. In a regular school this would cause all sorts of problems. At Bridge View, it is standard operating procedure. This school deals with medically complex and fragile children. They understand absences for medical and dental reasons. Boo has attended this school since kindergarten and never once have I gotten any flack for his absences.
So, today was a very good day. I am grateful for a fantastic dentist and a school that understands the medical complexities of children like Boo. It takes so little effort to be kind to someone. And kindness repays itself. In the spirit of Dr. Rick, go out and do something kind for someone today, just for the heck of it. You will feel good and I guarantee that they will too.
Harriet's Hedgehogs and Autism Advocacy 