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in any facility, i don't care if it's a doctor's office or a dentist's office or whatever, parents should NOT be asked to leave the care of their children. That's like taking your kid to the doctor for a checkup or something and the doctor asking you to leave cuz you're in the way. i wouldn't stand for it.

I agree with kate. It just isn't appropriate for an adult (even a professional adult) to want to be alone with a child behind closed doors. I don't think you are making too big a deal at all.

i wouldnt leave sorry no way there is no way i could do it i wouldnt feel right about it at all..so no i dont think you are overreacting at all...

When I was 14, my mom took me to a new dentist. He wouldn't let her come in with me. He numbed all four quadrants of my mouth, I had an asthma attack and EMS had to be called. I'm not letting anyone do anything to my kids unless I'm right there.

NO WAY!!!! You just never know these days what people are capable of. It's a shame our society has come to this, but you can't take chances. I am sure the dentist had no idea he was doing anything inappropriate, but he needs to know. I think you should inform the office either by letter or a phone call to let them know this is not acceptable.

I would go look for someone else or insist on being in the room with him. I would feel very uncomfortable about that situation even knowing no harm was probably meant. He is a new dentist, so a long standing relationship won't be affected here.

No mom in room, no kid in room. This is my rule. I don't even break it for my 14 year old. You never know what they are going to do or say that might cause a problem. Maybe your child will just need your support. Things are less scary when mommy is there. Just stand firm. Change providers until you find one that understands. They do exist.

I agree, no mom in the room, no kid in the room.

I have mixed feelings about this. I am not a dentist so I don't know what it's like to have a parent watching every move I make... The rooms I have been in have always been small so I can't imagine how there would be room for three adults. Still, I would never want to be told it's protocol. That seems weird to me. He should never tell a parent that they CAN'T be in the room, but should maybe try to politely direct them to the waiting room.

i would have taken my daughter and go somewhere else!!!!!!! end of it! i have hard time leaving my kids to my il-laws, muchless a stranger dentist!

I had the same thing happen to me. I took my seven year old in for her cleaning and I was allowed to go in with her for that, but she had two latter appointments for teeth to be pulled and I was not allowed in the room. I was a bit irked at first, but I walked her back to the room and saw that it was fairly small, and there was simply not room for another person to be in there. Also, I think that the dentist does not want some parent questioning through the procedure and telling him/her that they are being to rough. I'm actually kind of glad I could not be in while she was getting her teeth pulled, because I probably would have cried. Being pregnant does not help in the least!! :o)

Thanks everyone for their point of view. It rea__sures me that I'm not just too overprotective. I actually called several other dentist in my area to see if this is a usual practice and I found that only 1 out of 10 preffered the parents out of the room. I was thinking of writing a letter for them to re-consider their protocols but instead I simply called and cancelled the future appointment they made for my daughter and when they asked why, I told them. The receptionist said she would mention it to the dentist but who knows if she really did...oh well. Lesson learned: Ask before making appointments at new places if they let you go in with your children. I sure will! :)