Cotati Family Dentisty

I have two children, 7 and 8. We have gone to two 6 month exams. My oldest is easy going, but she really did not like the people here. After the first time I thought maybe it's just because no one really likes to go to the dentist. But she was not happy the second time either. She said the people that work there make her feel uncomfortable. I had switched from Western Dental to go here because I was tired of the long waits at WD, but at least she came out smiling at the end when we went there because the people were friendly and took the time to talk to my children.



My youngest daughter is a little more sensitive and just needs a little more reassurance sometimes. She's not dramatic, just a bit cautious and takes a bit more time to warm up. She reported back to me after both appointments that she felt the people were mean. At her last appointment, she had a canker sore on the inside of her cheek, so whenever they touched it to take X-rays and such it would hurt her. So they told her "I'm not hurting you" They were not able to complete her x-rays and they wanted to do sealants, but they wrote will not cooperate on her chart. I figured..okay this is because she has the canker sore and it would be best to return in a couple weeks when it's gone. So we did, and not even three minutes into her being called back they returned her to the front and told me she wouldn't let them work on her. I asked to please go back there with her to provide some support, but they told me "No, we really can't have you back there during procedures." I wish I would've thought about it before I left, but I've seen plenty of parents in out of the backroom. I didn't even get to go back for their first appointment. I have no idea what it's like back there or anything. I tried my best to explain everything to my child before hand about what to expect, but I can't possibly cover everything. I except them to talk her through the procedure and make the environment comfortable for all children.



I just think that if you are going to be a FAMILY dentist, then you should have staff that can talk to children and make them feel comfortable. It's scary for children to just be put in a chair, leaned back, have a contraption put in your mouth to hold it open, have cotton stuffed in the back of your mouth, etc. I'm sorry, but that's uncomfortable for adults who know the routine so I can only imagine what it's like for a child who has never experienced these things.



Please get some more happy staff who are willing to explain to children what's going on. I saw way too many sad faces coming out the back room. I've been to other dentist offices and did not witness what I have here.