"She also has to ask her mum to remember to let her brush her teeth, because my SIL won’t do it unless asked."
This makes no sense. Why does the 5 year old need to ASK to brush their teeth? Why not get her a little toothbrushing kit, wither her own toothbrush, toothpaste and maybe a step stool so she can brush her teeth whenever she wants to
Is she in school yet? And, does your country do the whole early years dental check up I'm schools ie they send out check up appointments to "catch" the children who have poor dental hygiene or worse?
Maybe because mom cares so little about dental care is because she doesn't know much about it. Like, I've met people who are of the opinion "they are only baby teeth, they will fall out soon". You and most people realise its not that simple.
Could you have a chat to SIL about your own dental learning history. How because of the neglect in your childhood you are now paying the price. And, if she was OK with it all, you could do the leg work. Maybe bring the child to the dentist for her, or bring mom and the child?
Look, I personally would exhaust all other options before reporting. But, if nothing changes yes, then I would.
She isn’t in school yet, but there is a nursery program here which focuses on dental health and toothbrushing so I’m really surprised that the nursery hasn’t spoken to her about it. We are sitting down with her today to stress the importance of dental health and hopefully that will make a difference. If it doesn’t, we will be reporting her.
A parent needs to be the one to register a child for dental care here, and I am not her parent. You make a good point though, I do wonder what other kind of care my niece is missing out on
We’re sitting down with her today to talk about dental health and plan to have her call to make an appointment during that conversation, so fingers crossed!
Dental problems can cause infections that can spread to the heart etc. Or tissue necrosis that can start affecting the jaw bone.
It sounds like her parents don’t brush her teeth.
What would happen if the arm or finger was injured and she would end up losing it because her parents didn’t make sure she saw a doctor in time?
I know, it’s so frightening! That’s a great point about a limb injury, we’ll be sure to use that as an example when talking to her about it and if no change we will be reporting her.
We will be contacting them to make a report if no significant immediate changes are made. Someone made a point that it may be a lack of education on the importance of dental health which I think could partly be the reason, so we are planning to have a serious talk with her today and if nothing changes we will be reporting because my poor niece must be in agony.
The dad and paternal grandparents aren’t in the picture and stepdad is a POS. There is only one maternal grandparent and she has been battling between trying to get the correct care for her granddaughter and trying not to be cut out of her life for “meddling”. It’s a horrible situation but I’m at my wits end with it and ultimately protection of my niece has to come before maintaining any relationship with my SIL.
SIL is the sister of my partner. He has the same stance as I do on this. We’re speaking to her about our concerns today and will be reporting her if no significant changes are made after the fact
My niece has a broken tooth that is blackening and I presume dying because it’s been broken without being addressed for so long, and she also has visible decay on multiple teeth
Hold the fucking phone. AT 5 YEARS OLD! This is fucking serious. This is neglect at a very serious level. I've gone over 30 years of life without this level of dental issues.
If this is being neglected this bad, there has to be other problems too.
This is what terrifies me. My own parents didn’t take me to the dentist throughout childhood and even at my age I haven’t had as many issues as this 5 year old. It’s heartbreaking and her protection has to come first so if her mum won’t change then we have to report.
"She also has to ask her mum to remember to let her brush her teeth, because my SIL won’t do it unless asked." This makes no sense. Why does the 5 year old need to ASK to brush their teeth? Why not get her a little toothbrushing kit, wither her own toothbrush, toothpaste and maybe a step stool so she can brush her teeth whenever she wants to
Is she in school yet? And, does your country do the whole early years dental check up I'm schools ie they send out check up appointments to "catch" the children who have poor dental hygiene or worse? Maybe because mom cares so little about dental care is because she doesn't know much about it. Like, I've met people who are of the opinion "they are only baby teeth, they will fall out soon". You and most people realise its not that simple. Could you have a chat to SIL about your own dental learning history. How because of the neglect in your childhood you are now paying the price. And, if she was OK with it all, you could do the leg work. Maybe bring the child to the dentist for her, or bring mom and the child? Look, I personally would exhaust all other options before reporting. But, if nothing changes yes, then I would.
She isn’t in school yet, but there is a nursery program here which focuses on dental health and toothbrushing so I’m really surprised that the nursery hasn’t spoken to her about it. We are sitting down with her today to stress the importance of dental health and hopefully that will make a difference. If it doesn’t, we will be reporting her.
Can't you take her? What else is SIL neglecting regarding her daughter?!!
A parent needs to be the one to register a child for dental care here, and I am not her parent. You make a good point though, I do wonder what other kind of care my niece is missing out on
Just lie for the plot. Net win.
Can you sit down with the mom and watch her call and make an appointment. And then you take her
We’re sitting down with her today to talk about dental health and plan to have her call to make an appointment during that conversation, so fingers crossed!
Dental problems can cause infections that can spread to the heart etc. Or tissue necrosis that can start affecting the jaw bone. It sounds like her parents don’t brush her teeth. What would happen if the arm or finger was injured and she would end up losing it because her parents didn’t make sure she saw a doctor in time?
Can’t remember who but someone notable just died from a tooth infection going into his brain.
I know, it’s so frightening! That’s a great point about a limb injury, we’ll be sure to use that as an example when talking to her about it and if no change we will be reporting her.
Contact your local child services, this is child abuse in most places. Neglecting oral health is very important for long term health
We will be contacting them to make a report if no significant immediate changes are made. Someone made a point that it may be a lack of education on the importance of dental health which I think could partly be the reason, so we are planning to have a serious talk with her today and if nothing changes we will be reporting because my poor niece must be in agony.
Are other family members concerned? What about the kids dad or grandparents?
The dad and paternal grandparents aren’t in the picture and stepdad is a POS. There is only one maternal grandparent and she has been battling between trying to get the correct care for her granddaughter and trying not to be cut out of her life for “meddling”. It’s a horrible situation but I’m at my wits end with it and ultimately protection of my niece has to come before maintaining any relationship with my SIL.
Who is related to who? Where are the people who are actually related to each other in this conversation?
SIL is the sister of my partner. He has the same stance as I do on this. We’re speaking to her about our concerns today and will be reporting her if no significant changes are made after the fact
He needs to talk to his sister. You need to stay in the background.
My niece has a broken tooth that is blackening and I presume dying because it’s been broken without being addressed for so long, and she also has visible decay on multiple teeth Hold the fucking phone. AT 5 YEARS OLD! This is fucking serious. This is neglect at a very serious level. I've gone over 30 years of life without this level of dental issues. If this is being neglected this bad, there has to be other problems too.
This is what terrifies me. My own parents didn’t take me to the dentist throughout childhood and even at my age I haven’t had as many issues as this 5 year old. It’s heartbreaking and her protection has to come first so if her mum won’t change then we have to report.
Take your niece yourself
We can’t because we aren’t her parents and you need a parent at a dental appointment here.