Yuma Pediatric Dentist Not Recommended
September 13, 2012
Never Returning to this Yuma Pediatric Dentist again!
As for me, I do not and will never recommend this dentist, Dr. Cullen. I read in a previous post from that dental office Blog: “Dr. Cullen is a good dentist, but can be rude and inconsiderate.” Well, I agreed at first, until I think more about it and I’m not at all bashing that comment… just adding to it, I guess. In my 20 years of dental experience I know the term “Good Dentist” means more than good work, but it’s the whole enchilada, caring, compassionate, truthful while being TACTFUL. And this dentist did not show these qualities at all. Maybe he’s burnt out, or perhaps just doesn’t like children but loves the dentistry part. Who knows. My point here is that I don’t recommend him for children. My 3 year old son didn’t have any cavities and scored well on the plaque chart, yet this 1st Time Visit experience scared the bejeebeez for his future dental trips to ANY dental office. Really uncalled for, in my opinion!!
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(I apologize this is so long, but I'd really like to give any of you in Yuma a heads up with our experience).
As for me, I do not and will never recommend this dentist, Dr. Cullen. I read here in a previous post: “Dr. Cullen is a good dentist, but can be rude and inconsiderate.” I agreed at first, until I think more about it and I’m not at all bashing that comment… just adding to it, I guess. In my 20 years of dental experience I know the term “Good Dentist” means more than good work, but it’s the whole enchilada, caring, compassionate, truthful while being TACTFUL. And this dentist did not show these qualities at all. Maybe he’s burnt out, or perhaps just doesn’t like children but loves the dentistry part. Who knows. My point here is that I don’t recommend him for children. My 3 year old son didn’t have any cavities and scored well on the plaque chart, yet this 1st Time Visit experience scared the bejeebeez for his future dental trips to ANY dental office. Really uncalled for, in my opinion!!
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
As for me, I do not and will never recommend this dentist, Dr. Cullen. I read here in a previous post: “Dr. Cullen is a good dentist, but can be rude and inconsiderate.” I agreed at first, until I think more about it and I’m not at all bashing that comment… just adding to it, I guess. In my 20 years of dental experience I know the term “Good Dentist” means more than good work, but it’s the whole enchilada, caring, compassionate, truthful while being TACTFUL. And this dentist did not show these qualities at all. Maybe he’s burnt out, or perhaps just doesn’t like children but loves the dentistry part. Who knows. My point here is that I don’t recommend him for children. My 3 year old son didn’t have any cavities and scored well on the plaque chart, yet this 1st Time Visit experience scared the bejeebeez for his future dental trips to ANY dental office. Really uncalled for, in my opinion!!
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
As for me, I do not and will never recommend this dentist, Dr. Cullen. I read here in a previous post: “Dr. Cullen is a good dentist, but can be rude and inconsiderate.” I agreed at first, until I think more about it and I’m not at all bashing that comment… just adding to it, I guess. In my 20 years of dental experience I know the term “Good Dentist” means more than good work, but it’s the whole enchilada, caring, compassionate, truthful while being TACTFUL. And this dentist did not show these qualities at all. Maybe he’s burnt out, or perhaps just doesn’t like children but loves the dentistry part. Who knows. My point here is that I don’t recommend him for children. My 3 year old son didn’t have any cavities and scored well on the plaque chart, yet this 1st Time Visit experience scared the bejeebeez for his future dental trips to ANY dental office. Really uncalled for, in my opinion!!
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
As for me, I do not and will never recommend this dentist, Dr. Cullen. I read here in a previous post: “Dr. Cullen is a good dentist, but can be rude and inconsiderate.” I agreed at first, until I think more about it and I’m not at all bashing that comment… just adding to it, I guess. In my 20 years of dental experience I know the term “Good Dentist” means more than good work, but it’s the whole enchilada, caring, compassionate, truthful while being TACTFUL. And this dentist did not show these qualities at all. Maybe he’s burnt out, or perhaps just doesn’t like children but loves the dentistry part. Who knows. My point here is that I don’t recommend him for children. My 3 year old son didn’t have any cavities and scored well on the plaque chart, yet this 1st Time Visit experience scared the bejeebeez for his future dental trips to ANY dental office. Really uncalled for, in my opinion!!
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
As for me, I do not and will never recommend this dentist, Dr. Cullen. I read here in a previous post: “Dr. Cullen is a good dentist, but can be rude and inconsiderate.” I agreed at first, until I think more about it and I’m not at all bashing that comment… just adding to it, I guess. In my 20 years of dental experience I know the term “Good Dentist” means more than good work, but it’s the whole enchilada, caring, compassionate, truthful while being TACTFUL. And this dentist did not show these qualities at all. Maybe he’s burnt out, or perhaps just doesn’t like children but loves the dentistry part. Who knows. My point here is that I don’t recommend him for children. My 3 year old son didn’t have any cavities and scored well on the plaque chart, yet this 1st Time Visit experience scared the bejeebeez for his future dental trips to ANY dental office. Really uncalled for, in my opinion!!
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
As for me, I do not and will never recommend this dentist, Dr. Cullen. I read here in a previous post: “Dr. Cullen is a good dentist, but can be rude and inconsiderate.” I agreed at first, until I think more about it and I’m not at all bashing that comment… just adding to it, I guess. In my 20 years of dental experience I know the term “Good Dentist” means more than good work, but it’s the whole enchilada, caring, compassionate, truthful while being TACTFUL. And this dentist did not show these qualities at all. Maybe he’s burnt out, or perhaps just doesn’t like children but loves the dentistry part. Who knows. My point here is that I don’t recommend him for children. My 3 year old son didn’t have any cavities and scored well on the plaque chart, yet this 1st Time Visit experience scared the bejeebeez for his future dental trips to ANY dental office. Really uncalled for, in my opinion!!
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
The Experience: First of all, when I called this office for my son’s First Dental visit checkup, I asked the Receptionist if he was good with children. Her response was “Well, he’s the ONLY pediatric specialist in Yuma.” So I asked her again since she didn’t answer my question, and she said “everyone has a different opinion in how they perceive good with children.”… (okay, that was when I SHOULD have never scheduled and gone to a regular family dentist)…the office was beautiful, and the staff quiet but courteous. When our son was back there, the x-rays were done with no problems and he held on to his mickey mouse stuffed pal for support since I had to stand away from where he can see me (which was no problem). When the assistant began poking in his teeth, he said I want to go home, another asst from the near lab said in a strong, rude voice “you CAN’T go home, so just sit there and let us do our work!” He began to cry, they told me to sit in the reception room, and as I walked away, I looked back and saw the “vocal” assistant pinning my son down with her weight and arms. She threatened him saying “You won’t see your mom until the end of the appt unless you stop crying!” (Well, a 3 y/o stressed out child won’t hear all that sentence and only hear “You won’t see your mom”). His cry got louder, then they took him in a closed room somewhere. It’s supposed to be a FIRST TIME VISIT CHECKUP, geez! 15 minutes later they called me back because the dentist would soon be in. As soon as I saw our son, tears just rolled down his cheeks and I felt SO Bad! The dentist came in not long after, and carried himself rudely, & inconsiderate. He sat next to our son and told him to wipe those tears, as he lightly punched him in the arm telling him, “you’re 3 years old, act it!” Continue and finishing with his exam, he did give kuddos to us parents for taking good care of his teeth, but then rudely pointed, and stated “That Mickey Mouse he was holding, we need to get rid of, it’s keeping him a baby. And the water cup with built in straw I held was a sippy cup he shouldn’t be drinking from anymore.” What?! First of all, that water cup he said was a sippy, we bought from Target in the Outdoor Hiking Section for ADULTS. And as for Mickey, he’s been his sleep pal, Dr. Visit pal, and travel companion for these last 3 years. Hmmm… just not what I expected for a 1st time visit for a 3 year old with no cavities.
(Sorry it’s so long, but just trying to give you all a heads up with our experience). - See more at: http://yumamom.com/2010/03/pediatric-dentistry-of-yuma.html#comments
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