I scheduled an appointment specifically…
I scheduled an appointment specifically because Dr. Toothfairy's website advertises "Special Needs" pediatric dentistry services. My autistic daughter has dental anxiety, and I selected this practice based on their advertised specialization. We arrived early at 1:00 PM for a 1:30 PM appointment. At 1:30 PM, in the waiting area/lobby, the assistant tried to gently encourage my daughter Avery to come to the treatment chair. Avery was calm and cooperative—she wasn't acting out she was just saying no and refusing to go into the dental chait. She simply didn't want to go into the chair yet. She needed time to acclimate. The assistant was kind, played with her, and worked at her pace. This is exactly how special needs providers should work. By 2:00 PM, still in the waiting area, Dr. Lara Saleh came out of the treatment room. She greeted another patient with baby, returned the baby. She turned to look at Avery and was introduced by her assistant. At that moment, Dr. Saleh pointed at her imaginary watch—literally gesturing to a watch that wasn't there—to show me her urgency. She demanded I carry my CALM daughter to the chair. Which any SPECIAL NEEDS provider would understand how traumatizing this is. I directly refused. I told Dr. Saleh: "I will not carry her to the chair. That would be traumatizing." Forcing a calm, cooperative child who is simply taking time to acclimate is abusive and creates lifelong dental trauma. Any provider who truly specializes in special needs understands this fundamental principle. I asked "Why are you rushing me when you advertise that you provide special needs services?" She said they do not I said they do its all over the website. She attempted to dismiss the special need advertising. I advised her I was an attorney. Dr. Saleh's response was immediate and retaliatory: Without any discussion, without any willingness to work with us, without any attempt to find a solution, Dr. Saleh stated she would refuse to see my daughter anymore. Let me be absolutely clear about what happened in that waiting area: 1.Dr. Saleh showed extreme impatience—pointing at an imaginary watch at a calm, cooperative child. Stating that she had other patients. 2. Dr. Saleh demanded I FORCE my daughter to the chair—not encourage her, not work with her, but physically carry her against her will. 3. I REFUSED to traumatize my child by forcing her. This is proper parenting and the foundation of all evidence-based special needs care. 4. The second I pointed out the contradiction between her advertising and her behavior—asking a simple, direct question—Dr. Saleh refused service. This is explicit retaliation. And told me to do "what's best for my Child" as if having her be traumatized by a dentist that only sees patients as money bags is best. A provider who advertises expertise she doesn't possess is not trustworthy. A provider who gets impatient with a calm child who needs time is not trustworthy. A provider who demands parents force their children is not trustworthy. A provider who retaliates the moment she's questioned is not trustworthy. I would not trust Dr. Saleh with my child's teeth. Her behavior demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of child development, special needs care, and professional ethics. Her competence and judgment in all dental matters are questionable. If you're considering Dr. Toothfairy, understand this: This practice advertises special needs services but does not provide them. The provider will pressure you to force your child. When you refuse to traumatize your child, the provider will refuse to treat you. The assistant may be kind, but the provider will demand you use force. I am filing federal complaints with the U.S. Department of Justice for potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Virginia Attorney General's Office for deceptive business practices and retaliation, and with the Virginia Board of Dentistry for unprofessional conduct, retaliation, and lack of competency in pediatric dentistry. Parents deserve providers they can trust. Dr. Saleh has lost my trust completely.