'My Daughter Is Traumatized': Austin Mom Says Leander Dentist Gave Her Kid A Shot Without Asking. Then He ‘Sc

An Austin, Texas-area mom is warning parents after she says a Leander, Texas dentist gave her nine-year-old daughter with autism a shot without warning. To make matters worse, she says, the dentist then yelled at her daughter for crying.

TikTok creator Faith (@faithlafitte_) posted a video about the situation on Nov. 20. In the video, she says, “This is a PSA for anyone that lives in Austin or Leander and takes their kid to Austin Children’s Dentistry—the one on Highway 183 and Leander. Do not go there. I took my daughter there to get a cap on her tooth, and the dentist there was so unprofessional it was insane.”

Austin Mom Says Leander Dentist Yelled at 9-Year-Old Daughter

The incident started, Faith says, when the dentist gave her daughter a shot without warning, and the child started crying in response.

“And he gets nose to nose with her and starts screaming in her face. My nine-year-old daughter. Screaming in her face. ‘Look in my eyes. Why are you crying? Stop crying.’ And then he storms out of the room,” Faith says.

According to Faith, the noise prompted the receptionists, hygienists, and the office manager to enter the exam room.

“They thought [the yelling] was her dad,” Faith says. “Her dad wasn’t even there. It was just me and her little sister. They were like, ‘I’m so sorry. That’s so unprofessional.’ And then he comes back in the room and proceeds to tell me, ‘If she continues that, I will not work on her. I won’t reward her bad behavior.’”

Faith says that her daughter, who has autism, sometimes cries when she is overstimulated. “But he jabbed a needle in her gums without telling her,” she says. “I think anyone would cry. And then to tell me you’re not going to work on her? This is a children’s dentistry. This is your job.”

Unfortunately, the episode doesn’t end there. “He continues to ridicule her,” Faith says. “[He said], ‘You had this last year. You’re a whole year older. You should know better.’ I said, ‘Can you give her some grace? She’s scared.’”

The office manager and the rest of the staff were extremely apologetic and kind, Faith says.

Of the dentist, she asks, “How are you going to work in a children’s dental field and scream in their face?”

Viewers React to the Family’s Austin Children’s Dentistry Story

In the comments section of the video, viewers reacted with shock to Faith and her family’s experience at Austin Children’s Dentistry.

“File a grievance with the Board of Dentistry,” suggested one viewer.

“Way to make a kid scared of the dentist for the rest of her life,” said a second person. “I’m so sorry.”

Others said that they’ve experienced similar treatment at the facility. That is at least partially backed up by its Yelp reviews, which average 2.6 out of 5 stars based on 43 entries. Several of the posts, most of which appear to be from before 2020, cite professionalism as an issue.

Several other users noted that an infant died after a procedure at the chain’s now-closed Hymeadow location. The dentist was eventually cleared by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners of all wrongdoing in the case.

Faith told Patch she received a call and apology from Austin Children’s Dentistry about the situation. She said they indicated the dentist would no longer be employed there, but she hasn’t spoken to him since. She also reported the incident to the Texas Board of Dental Examiners, but hasn’t heard back.

Patch contacted Austin Children’s Dentistry via online contact form and phone for comment. We’ll let you know if they respond.

@faithlafitte_ I’ve posted reviews on google and I emailed their district manager not sure what else I should do? My daughter is traumatized to go back to any dentist now. #dentist #fyp #unprofessional #children #autism #wicked #taylorswift #leandertx #fypシ゚viral #austin ♬ original sound - faithlafitte_

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.