It was only for a check-up and her mother had made an appointment with a children's specialist recommended by her own dentist. Jenifer is a cooperative child. She was already comfortable with her visits to her pediatrician and her mother didn't expect any trouble with the dentist. They met the specialist in the waiting room the day of the examination. That certainly didn't give them much time to get to know one another, or for Jenifer to understand where she was and why.
Some parents take their children for a preliminary visit to meet the dentist and look around.
As it turned out, Jenifer's mom felt uncomfortable with the specialist from the start. You can be sure that Jenifer picked up on her mother's uneasiness. And then he asked me to stay in the waiting room while he took Jenifer away. That surprised me because my husband and I have always accompanied her for medical examinations. Moreover, I'd told Jenifer I wouldn't leave her alone.