Weddell Pediatric Dentistry

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OFF REVIEW: Going into Weddell pediatric I had already had terrifying experiences with taking my 5yo level 3 ASD son to the doctor. Healthcare professionals scare him and I even started the new patient phone call with my concerns and my expectations and one request to not put on PPE before we get into the chair as the sight of masks and gloves are an instant meltdown and elopement for my son. They first declined and I said I wasn't asking for them to not wear any at all, just for the first face to face meeting and until we got him in the chair. They declined again and I said I would have to talk to his Disability Medicaid to see what kind of accommodations could be made for his disability. They called back and said they would like to help me and "sensed my frustration". First red flag 🚩 We got to the appointment and my son actually didn't do too bad. He enjoyed the movie and walked around with the doctor and only tried to run out of the office for the first few minutes of seeing the chair. He liked her, I thought she was sweet and patient and accommodating. We got him calm enough to do a visual* exam, which is fine as she said she could chart more and get X-rays after anesthesia the day of surgery. Surgery date was not scheduled but hospital was supposed to call me for that according to them. Weeks passed no phone call. I called to get sent to voicemail or told I would be called back after patient care (2:30pm) and then they wouldn't return my call. I started calling at 2:30pm and waiting to speak to the doctor and was met with more "I can call you back" and then a "he has to be seen by his pediatrician before we can put him under". Another week postponed doctor signed off and then more weeks go by until THE DAY BEFORE HIS SURGERY, the xray machine at the hospital is broken and I need to bring him in to get X-rays or his surgery will be canceled. They called me at 11am, I'm at work, son in school a half hour away from me, office 2 hours away, and they want me to do what???? Hold him down??????? NO ma'am. Three more weeks go by and I call to ask if the xray machine is fixed and after being told I would get another call back she said "yeah it was fixed and now it's broken again". Only to look at reviews and see that that excuse is just her sick way of turning away patients she doesn't want to deal with. My son has been in immense pain for months. He was almost denied care before I brought up his disability rights, and was flat out denied care or for any paperwork to be pushed through without the hand holding of my constant annoying phone calls. I wanted to like this dentist. I wanted to help my son with his fears and his health by building a relationship with a dentist who is patient and kind. Thanks for nothing but wasted time and disability discrimination. ------ UPDATE: We got into Noblesville pediatric within days of calling and we were met with loving***** AND patient*** care from Dr. Liz, she sent us home with antibiotics for my sons abscessed tooth that Weddell pediatrics denied care for and they scheduled us for an OR in February. BUT, we got a call earlier this week for an opening and my son was absolutely cherished through the whole process! I'm so happy my boy isn't is pain anymore. It's been two days since he has had his surgery and he's his chipper little self again. I feel regret for giving this office as many chances as I did to make things right and regardless of what her reply to my review says, all I see are excuses on every review as to why she can't conduct care on children who need it and give respect to parents who just want to find dentists they can trust with their children. -100/10 review for Weddell. 100/10 review for Noblesville. They'll take excellent care of your babies.

If I could give this place 0 stars I would. To be a family dentistry that works with kids I was completely shocked by the lack of patience, empathy, kindness and compassion. Nicole Weddell is arrogant, rude , and unwelcoming. My son is 5 years and scared of the dentist (I don’t know any child that walks in eager and happy to get their teeth checked out) so he wasn’t excited but he was calm and waited patiently. Until Nicole Weddell and her helper came in and tried to get consent to restrain him on a board and tie him up. He has been going to the dentist since he was 1 year old and they have NEVER restrained him ( his previous dentist). I was completely shocked. She didn’t even try to look at his teeth. He obviously cried when she picked up the tools but he had his mouth open and willing to cooperate. Again, she had 0 patience and didn’t even try. When I questioned this she got super offended and said she was the professional and wasn’t going to be questioned. She then kept referring to my son as “children like him” which I was confused about and asked her what she meant. Nicole then proceeded to throw random statistics about my economic status, ethnicity. She stated that because of those random facts she threw at me; my child’s teeth were probably in major need of work. I was confused about her referring to my child as “ children like him “ and her statistically categorizing us economically, ethnically or medically without ever meeting us before. This was our first and only time there. I ran out of there! I obviously didn’t consent because that just didn’t feel right or necessary. To be a place that works with children ,Nicole and her team were unprofessional, rude, arrogant, and creepy. If you are looking for a kids dentist DO NOT COME HERE.

Updated to add in response to dentist comment: I wanted to be able to go back with my child for the sake of my child and what I as his mother know is best for him and his overly active nervous system. While yes it is perfectly fine for practitioners to say that they think it would be better that a parent does not go back it does not sit well with me that the option is not given to parents, and that some may not realize that by going somewhere else they will have the option to be with their child to make them more comfortable. I felt totally gaslit by my experience at this office and I would hate for a parent especially a new one who doesn't know there are other options to be in the same situation. Of course it is more efficient if the parent is not there, but my goal is not efficiency. My goal is making sure my child feels safe and is willing to go back to the dentist. Also, the mention of accommodations were made in the reply, but I made many requests while there to speak with the dentist, and if any type of accommodation could be made and was told no. This review is not necessarily to blast a dentist, but because it's important that parents understand the policies and what to expect. ------------ We visited this office as my toddler needed to be sedated for cavity work and our typical dentist could not get him in for several months. Positive: they were able to get us scheduled within a month. Negative: They do not allow parents and their children to stay together unless it is for a typical cleaning exam. They hold firm on this. We needed to do xrays ahead of time as the machine was down at the hospital where the procedure would be. I waited in their front office area for (no exaggeration) an hour past by scheduled time to be notified it was my toddler's turn. They informed me that he would need to go back without me for the xrays. I explained I wasn't comfortable with a stranger carrying my child away kicking and screaming. He was already scared and he doesn't know any of the people taking him away. I was told they'd get the dentist for me to speak with. I waited 20 minutes and was then told that they dentist could not come out to talk to me but that they were holding firm on their policy. I asked if they hold firm even when a child is disabled (my child is likely autistic) and they said yes. I believe they started this parent/child separation rule around COVID but this occurred in summer 2024. Anyway, I reached out to the other Weddell office (Noblesville area), run by the sister of the dentist at this location. They welcomed us over immediately that day and allowed me to not only be in the room with my child but have him sitting on my lap as they did xrays. It's important other parents know it is not the norm in pediatric dentistry to separate children from their parents during appointments (yes, i know i know, they allow parents back for routine cleaning). Go with your gut. If you don't feel comfortable here it's probably not you, but the office and their policies.

My Son has been coming here since he was 2 years old. He is 10 now. I called for an emergency appointment and the secretary told me to bring him that Thursday. She called me the Tuesday before being very rude saying he missed his appointment today. When I explained his appointment is for Thursday she told me I was wrong and that they will not see him anymore. After going up there they refuse to let anyone speak to the doctor and told me that over the past 8 years he has missed a total of 3 appts (one was during Covid) and now they can’t see him anymore. FOR 3 appointments in 8 years!!! 2 of them was not even missed because of us!!! I do not recommend because these secretaries are acting like divas and when they run off all the clients they are going to realize who are the ones that pay for that paycheck. Horrible experience.

so unprofessional it’s crazy! Yall never told me my daughters couldn’t come back unless I kept all my appointments. I was never informed. I was just there last week and nobody told me. Yall told me my daughter needed her teeth pulled but when we were by there yall do something totally different! Yall wanna keep doing partial stuff and keep scheduling all these appointments like I don’t have a job! What job gone let somebody keep calling off or being late for a kids dentist appointment? Yall so inconsiderate! Trust and believe yall not the only pediatric dentistry in Indianapolis