Dentalcompare
Clinical Director
I don't mean to rant, but beyond oil spills, budget crisis issues, and Lindsay Lohan's need for rehab, there is an issue that hits a bit closer to home for me. It is known to everyone that if you hit your son or daughter, child protective services can be called in to take them away from you. This seems obvious to most people. It is a horrible act. Anyone blessed enough to have a child, and yet treat them this way, does not deserve to be a parent.
But what about the rest of it? Like verbally belittling them, rather than verbally encouraging your kids? Can child protective services be called for you making your child feel stupid or inadequate? And how about teeth? I'm not talking about the occasional cavity. That happens to everyone. I'm talking about the child that has massive, infected decay in permanent molars, has been in pain for three weeks, and then the parents flake on the emergency appointment. When they actually do come in, there is an attitude that they "just don't have time for this." When will you have time, when it spreads to their eye?
Healthy living is today, more than ever, associated with good teeth and good oral health. If a parent neglects basic dental care for their kids, much less let a painful, infected molar get out of control, should someone not step in as an advocate for that child? It just seems more obvious to me than arm bruises caused from "falling down the stairs". I'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback in the comment section below.