Hi - my two year old, recently diagnosed son, was recently examined by the hospital dental clinic, following acute toothache and infection. They said that two back molars had completely eroded and he had caries on all front teeth (including canine) and lower molars. The dentist said it was caused by breasfedding beyond 6 months! They said they wanted to remove them all urn general anaesthetic. I took him to a private dentist who looked and said that 3 needed removing but that 5 could be managed. I was also told by him and the consultant that it was the effect of undiagnosed diabetes for so long. Because he was so ill with the infection, and wouldn't eat because of the pain, I agreed to the hospital admission, but took along the letter from the second dentist. The first distressing obstacle was that I had to fight to be allowed to breastfeeding my son at 5am. They wanted him free from "food" from midnight! I explained about the diabetes (again and again). And they were contacted by our diabetes consultant. Second distress - they told us to only give a very dilute sugary drink at 6am if absolutely necessary. We had controlled his levels really well through the nigt so didn't. Needless to say, by 7 am his levels were near 2 and falling fast and all we could do was to keep on forcing glycogen in his mouth. He was so distressed. Eventually, they took him to surgery where he was anaesthetised (so so upsetting) and we were sent out. Half an hour later, the dentist comes out and tells us she she drilled all the teeth and that she is removing 6 from top and 2 from bottom. We objected, as we felt very strongly that they should be saved if possible and that to loose all his teeth and bite would be really distressing. She basically threatened us with his condition, saying that he was under general and that was really dangerous and did we want to subject him to that danger again in three months because we wouldn't let her remove the teeth (and more along those lines) - terrified and under pressure, we said ok as she left us little choice. An hour later I heard him screaming for me but despite saying I could go in as soon as he came round, they kept me out for a further 15 mins. When finally let in, my son was a bloody mess and so distraught. I calmed him and we went back to the ward, with him on a glucose drip. No one came to advise or speak to us or him and he was so confused and upset at losing all his teeth. His distress has continued and he is finding it hard to eat and feeling very sad and angry and rejecting all the rest of his diabetes care, which he has been brilliant about until now. And I looked at the teeth, and apart from 3 the holes were tiny. On one tooth, it wasn't even a hole, just a black speck.
I am so angry and upset and I feel that his condition was used as leverage to make us agree to what was the expedient and cost cutting option, despite exposing him to undue distress, eating and speech complications and further dental complications down the line. I realise that I am so afraid of his condition that I allow decisions against my instinct, as his mother - afraid I will make a mistake. But where does this end? Eventually I am the line that protects him. And there are a host of professionals heading our way...
I just wanted to tell his story a bit and to ask if anyone out there has felt this way and how you find the strength to trust that thing will be ok...
I am so angry and upset and I feel that his condition was used as leverage to make us agree to what was the expedient and cost cutting option, despite exposing him to undue distress, eating and speech complications and further dental complications down the line. I realise that I am so afraid of his condition that I allow decisions against my instinct, as his mother - afraid I will make a mistake. But where does this end? Eventually I am the line that protects him. And there are a host of professionals heading our way...
I just wanted to tell his story a bit and to ask if anyone out there has felt this way and how you find the strength to trust that thing will be ok...
