RANT: Toy Prizes from Dentist

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  • #597659

    mandm
    Member

    I am annoyed by the prizes that my child gets when he sees the dentist! These prizes are cheap, possibly toxic, choking hazards, etc… This has happenened at more than on Dental Office and I wish they would reconsider what they hand out. Even a balloon would be better than this crap!!

    Heck, my child is excited to get a “New” toothbrush!

    #714331

    flowerpetal
    Member

    What do the dentists say when you protest? Don’t know what age your child is but balloons are dangerous for small children. More than one child has suffocated when a part of a popped balloon went down his throat. Sad and senseless.

    #714332

    MargL
    Member

    No reason why you can’t ask the dentist not to give your child a ‘prize’ aside from floss or toothbrushes…

    I remember we used to get to dig thru the dentist office ‘treasure’ box and find those little ceramic animals from Red Rose Tea. I still have a few of them!

    Rather have a toy than the box of chocolate _caramels_ one of my ex-dentists gave me for Christmas several years ago!

    #714333

    JanS
    Participant

    oh, MargL…he liked you so much he wanted to make sure you came back ;-)

    #714334

    yeah-me
    Participant

    My daughter LOVES those little prizes and it is part of why she likes going to the dentist. If you don’t like them I think you should just mention it to the dentist. I am sure they would be happy to give you an extra toothbrush instead.

    #714335

    B-squared
    Participant

    Over 40 years ago i remember doing this – and looking forward to it! The treasure box had lots of cheap crap in it but i always found something cool. i’m sure glad i am not a kid today.

    #714336

    Gina
    Participant

    Guess you could talk with the dentist office and specify “no prizes” for your child, unless tooth care related.

    #714337

    luckymom30
    Participant

    Receiving a gold coin for being a good patient and selecting a toy from the toy machine was my daughters favorite part of going to the dentist. I always made a special trip with her to the used books store after her appointments and she quickly forgot the toy at the dentist.

    #714338

    Irukandji
    Participant

    You’re the parent and the one in control. A simple “No, thank you,” when your child is offered a coin or prize would do.

    Otherwise, write your dental office offenders, perhaps encouraging them to take up PCC’s free-fruit with visit tact.

    I think you can handle this.

    #714339

    miws
    Participant

    Although I can understand safety concerns, I’ve never been able to understand complaining about free stuff.

    Okay, so it’s not a free Wii game cartridge, or even a Hot Wheels car, but the point is, it’s Free.

    Whether you’re afraid the toy is dangerous, or feel it’s too “cheap”, a simple, pleasant, “No thanks!” should suffice.

    Mike

    #714340

    MargL
    Member

    What’s the deal about PCC free fruit? I haven’t heard of that.

    #714341

    thee
    Participant

    wow…

    #714342

    acemotel
    Participant

    well, nothing’s really free. Think of the pollution caused by producing tons and tons of worthless junk.

    #714343

    Sue
    Participant

    MargL, from http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/kids/:

    Free fruit for kids!

    Kids ages 12 and under can choose a free serving of a fruit or vegetable to eat while their parents shop.

    Kids are occupied with eating a delicious snack and parents feel good about establishing healthy eating habits.

    #714344

    mandm
    Member

    I just hate the idea of it all going to the landfill. It’s not that I don’t want my child to receive to prize, it’s the “cheap” prizes that are given out. These prizes only last a few minutes before they break, come apart and then we throw away. Waste, Waste, Waste.

    #714345

    pam
    Member

    I found this rant so silly that I didn’t dare reply yesterday – knew I’d say something that I’d regret later. Today it still bothers me – such a silly thing to be upset about, you for the cheapness of the toy and me for letting it bug me! My advice is to tell your child you don’t like the toys so they can’t have one and let it go.

    #714346

    M&M, you are so very fortunate to be able to worry about something so trivial. Try this – don’t take a toy. If people don’t take the toys then they won’t get broken and go to the landfill and the dentists of the world won’t order more and the company that makes them will go out of business or better yet another company will make toys out of sustainable materials and those will become popular. That’s how it works. I suppose you could propose to boycott dentists that give out toys that aren’t made of biodegradable corn products and you might find one or two people to join you. On the other hand, if you are proposing that the dentist should be giving out better quality toys I disagree with that too. Why should I be subsidizing toys for your kids. If you ask me to help subsidize better dental care for those less fortunate then I am all for it but for toys? Get real. Your rant reminds me of the spoiled kid that gets a sportscar for her birthday and complains that it is the wrong color. I am surprised at how emotional this little rant has made me and am surprised it wasn’t posted by Hooper. . . . .

    #714347

    luckymom30
    Participant

    Very well said West Seattle Art Attack.

    #714348

    Thanks Mom (not my real mom although she’s pretty lucky too).

    #714349

    Que
    Member

    West Seattle Art Attack FTW!!!

    @mandm, if you don’t want them, don’t take them. Maybe say something to the scheduler/receptionist on your way in that you don’t want the toy so that it doesn’t become an issue on your way out of the office.

    #714350

    MB
    Participant

    West Seattle Art Attack…awesome comment!

    #714351

    gambaru
    Participant

    As a mother of a 21 month old, I am astonished this is a battle you are choosing to pick. I guess kudos to you for having the engery and where with all to pursue such an important delemma at this time in your child’s life. I’m still stuck on just getting my kiddo to brush his teeth.

    #714352

    ttt
    Participant

    Does your child control you? You’re the parent. Just say we’d like a new toothbrush instead. Yes, your child may be disappointed in not getting a piece of crap toy… But the disappointment will be short-lived. It’s okay to say no to things that you are not in agreement with. You are the parent. Then when you calm down, make a respectful suggestion to your dentist to just give out toothbrushes~ kids don’t need rewards for visiting the dentist. It’s just something they need to do. I’m a parent, I understand that disappointing your child does not feel good, but as a parent I know that I can make choices for my child/family, and some of those may disappoint my child.

    #714353

    Mater
    Member

    It’s simple. Don’t take the prize. Seriously, what’s wrong with people in Seattle?! Oh the toxins, the evil dentist… come on people. I love Seattle but the people here are a bit much for me. (my kid loves those toys and the toxic toys from the Dollar Tree, we eat at McDonalds and LOVE it – including the Happy Meal toys!!)

    #714354

    Irukandji
    Participant
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