Dr. Steven Betzelos

I'm writing this review to express my concern for a recent visit to Dr. Steven Betzelos at the Dental Works office in Crystal Lake, Illinois. I brought my 5 year old daughter for her 6 month cleaning and check-up. The office was not able to take x-rays of my daughter's teeth due the size of the x-ray machine. After her cleaning, Dr. Betzelos examined her teeth briefly and explained to me that she needed a root canal. It was alarming that he was able to make this recommendation for a fairly in depth procedure without x-rays. Even more alarming was the fact that he presribed my 5 year old daughter Valium to take before the procedure. He did not weigh her or seem concerned when I wasn't sure of her exact weight. He even suggested I give her a second Valium if the first one didn't seem to be working. My instict told me to get a second opinion. After visiting a pediatric dentist that was able to take x-rays, it turns out a simple filling will suffice. The pediatric dentist explained that prescribing Valium to anyone under 8 years of age is not advisable due to the diffuculty dosing it. Not only did Dr. Betzelos presribe Valium to my 5 year old daughter, he did not even bother to take a proper weight in order to ensure the proper dosage. I feel lucky that I had enough insight to seek a second opinion and it concerns me that other parents are taking their child to this office and going through with these unneccesary dental procedures and sedating their children with medication that could be potentially harmful.