Pishum Penashue, right, said his son Owen is having nightmares about his experience with a dental procedure at St’s Janeway, John’s (Posted by Pishum Penashue)
An Innu mother talks about a harrowing experience with a dentist at St. John’s Janeway Children’s Hospital. John’s who, she said, left her three-year-old son “traumatized.”
Pishum Penashue, who lives in Sheshatshiu, told Labrador Morning that the “rushed” dental procedure caused his son to scream in pain, and the dentist ignored his pleas to stop.
Penashue took his son, Owen, to cover eight teeth in the Janeway. He said the dentist gave his son laughter gas before giving him needles to numb his teeth. Then the dentist started drilling his lower teeth.
“That’s when Owen jumped in and felt the pain,” Penashue said. “He said ‘au!’ to the dentist, but he didn’t stop. That’s when I told him to stop. “
Penashue said the dentist paused and told him Owen wasn’t really suffering.
“He said,‘ a lot of kids go through this, they’re scared, and just the texture or the vibration scares them, ’” he said.
Penashue said the dentist resumed and her boyfriend had to help hold Owen.
“The dentist was holding my son’s head, he forced his mouth with a piece of metal,” he said.
‘Tearing’
Penashue said he believes the mask used to administer the gas of laughter did not fit his son’s face properly. He said he asked if Owen could sleep, but the dentist said a new appointment should be scheduled in an operating room.
He said his son’s gums were bleeding.
“The dentist tried to put the silver plugs in his teeth and kept pulling them out and then tried to stick them on,” he said.
In a statement provided to CBC News, Eastern Health said it could not comment on details about a specific patient, but said treatment options and techniques for pediatric patients are designed “to ensure safety and well-being.”
“We appreciate the concerns that have been raised in this situation and are committed to taking all necessary actions to ensure the provision of safe and quality care to patients. We appreciate feedback on the care and services we provide,” he said. says the statement.
The Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Center treats patients from across the province. (Paul Daly / CBC)
According to Eastern Health, parents and guardians give consent for any child under the age of 16 and are encouraged to discuss treatment options with their health care provider.
“Janeway dentists work with parents / guardians and, where appropriate, with the child to find a balanced and individualized treatment that takes into account the child’s cognitive age, level of maturity, urgency of care. , the wishes of the family and the scope of treatment that is needed, ”the statement says.
Penashue said his son’s treatment was “bad.”
“It was very heartbreaking for me to see him go through this. I just wish I had stopped him when I had the chance,” he said.
‘It is normal?’
Penashue said the dentist also appeared to be in a hurry to finish the procedure.
“He told me ‘everyone is supposed to go down in 10 minutes,'” he said, “I really wish they were more affectionate.”
In a statement, the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association also said it could not comment on specific details about individual patients, but said “behavioral guidance decisions” are addressed to the child and the individual situation.
“The NLDA is confident that all dentists working in Newfoundland and Labrador, including our pediatric dental specialists in Janeway, will do their utmost to minimize patients’ concerns or fears while in the dental chair, ”the statement said.
Penashue later said his son had nightmares about the date.
“He woke up screaming and crying,” he said.
Penashue’s father and Owen’s grandfather, Paul Rich, said he knew something was wrong when his daughter called after the date.
“Is it a normal procedure? Is it normal for a three-year-old to be treated like that?” he asked.
Rich wants to see more health services, such as dentistry, closer to home.
“I’m very upset and very hurt, whether by the Innu or the Inuit or anyone here in Labrador who has gone through similar experiences when we have to take our people out and treat them.”
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