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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that adults are supposed to go to the dentist too?

135 replies

YourTealBalonz · 20/12/2025 16:29

It feels like so many people act like the dentist is optional once you hit adulthood, only going when something hurts or skipping years altogether. But surely we’re supposed to still be going regularly?

Isn’t part of being a functioning adult keeping up with this stuff - like check-ups, cleaning, prevention, etc?

Or AIBU and it’s fine to just… not?

OP posts:
herbalteabag · 20/12/2025 16:38

There are no NHS dentists in my area, not even for children. My child goes for check ups. I've bypassed the dentist recently, but I've still gone to the hygienist every 6 months. It was all the dentist ever told me to do anyway, so I thought I'd save £70 which I can't really afford.

SumUp · 20/12/2025 16:38

Catza · 20/12/2025 16:36

I don't have NHS dentist with open books within a 100 mile radius. So yeah, "supposed to" is great in theory only.

Same. After my NHS dentist went private, I carried out shelling out for annual check ups, but I then couldn’t afford to get the work done. So I see little point until I can TBH.

TheatricalLife · 20/12/2025 16:38

In an ideal world -yes. Realistically, many can't afford to go. NHS services have been removed from most dental surgeries, every single one in my area now only offer private appointments. You'd have to travel 30 plus miles to even get the option, and then you'd be lucky to get anywhere near the wait list.
I'm lucky enough to be able to afford private heathcare and dental, but my friend who recently went for a check up was quoted over £800 for a few fillings and a clean on top of the £60 she had just paid for the appointment. My sister spent nearly £3000 on her recent appointment.

Catza · 20/12/2025 16:36

I don't have NHS dentist with open books within a 100 mile radius. So yeah, "supposed to" is great in theory only.

bestcatlife · 20/12/2025 16:35

You can't be serious @didntlikeanyofthesuggestions

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 20/12/2025 16:33

Not everyone can afford it. If a tooth needs taking out I can usually do it myself anyway.

JumpingJiminy · 20/12/2025 16:33

I go every six months, dentist and hygienist. I'm on Denplan. I've had terrible trouble with my teeth so I suck it up.

Some people don't have access to an NHS dentist and either can't afford to or don't want to go private.

vanillalattes · 20/12/2025 16:33

The problem is that many adults can't access NHS dentistry and can't afford to pay to go private. DH neglected his teeth for years because there were no NHS dentists nearby and he didn't earn enough to go private.

Now he earns better money, he can afford to get his teeth sorted.

ThatGreenFawn · 20/12/2025 16:33

Sorry,.pressed wrong button. YANBU, however in my area it's impossible to register with an NHS dentist and private dentists are very expensive and often people just can't afford regular check ups etc.

LighthouseLED · 20/12/2025 16:32

YANBU but not everyone can afford private dentists (or even the NHS fees), and some NHS dentists don’t accept adults anyway. So it’s understandable if people don’t go regularly.