How often do you go for dentist check ups?

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I haven't had a check up in about 2 years, this is due me moving/finding a new dentist/life getting in the way. I have a check up scheduled with my new dentist tomorrow.

I am terrified on the dentist and of dental pain in general. I have had bad experiences with my teeth and had reconstructive work (bridges, crowns) due to an accident when I was younger. I am always so nervous of them poking around too hard and damaging/breaking some of this, especially as this will be a new dentist.

I just want to cancel it (I won't) but really dreading it!!

How often do you go for dental check ups?

Should also add I was 16… 30yrs ago!

@Symphony830 regarding 'lucky' I'm in two minds about that. I don't think we're all about to self destruct any minute. Not that checks don't serve a purpose - treatment very definitely is sometimes the most beneficial course of action. However, I don't feel people should be made to feel guilty for opting out of a paid service.

Kids go every 6 months and I go annually. My lovely dentist knows I'm terrified and why - I think I had a lot of unnecessary work done as a kid. She totally mothers me now that she knows. I recently had a filling replaced and she gave me a running commentary on what she was doing - which I wanted. It's never as bad as I think it will be.

But we are an outlier. Why should there be universal free dental care? In most European countries under 18's and over 60's are covered by the state for basic care. Everyone else has to pay, or insure. It means dentistry is more advanced, better service, and cheaper!

Maybe we should go this way. The current system, where my manager (on probably double my wage) can access NHS dental care simply because of luck, because their surgery still has NHS dentists and mine doesn't, is unfair.