DD16 is not allowed to attend the dentist on her own.

[TuesdaysgreyandWednesdaytoo]

Yesterday dd16 and I each had a dental check up appointment. I am at the same practice but with a different dentist and said to her that as she is now 16 she may as well start going in on her own. This would be quite convenient for future appointments because the practice is not too far from dd's college and she could attend before or after her college day.

She happily went in herself but within seconds the dental nurse came to the waiting room and called me in. I wondered what the issue was and was told by the dentist that dd could not come in on her own and I (or dh) would need to accompany her until she is 18.

I didn't realise 16-18 year olds could not attend a dental appointment on their own.

My dd had brces at 15.. For the tightenings she went in alone while I sat in the waiting room.. Never did anything.

That's crazy. What if she'd moved out?

I have not been into the dentist with ds since he was 14. He always goes in alone even when he had braces.

My DC have gone in on their own from 16. That must depend on the particular practice.

She should challenge this and say she is Fraser competent and can sign her own consent and delegation and that she will be attending on her own

My theory is the dentist didn't want to be alone in the room with a minor girl... worried about accusations.

i thought this too!

Thanks everyone. It did seem a little bit strange. Ds is 19 and I am sure he was attending the dentist alone at that age but it was Covid times and everything was on hold back then so I couldn't remember.

I am happy to sign any paperwork before hand but it will be far easier if dd attended on a college day then she can pop in on her own unless of course she were to have any major treatment then I would definitely accompany her.

But dentists never are alone, they always have a nurse with them.

It's a female dentist and there is always a dental nurse in attendance.

At 16 she can sign her own paperwork, she doesnt need you to do this. She needs to be clear with them about that too

My DS has gone to the dentist on his own since he was 16 - goes regularly for brace tightening. Their only concern was about getting paid, but we do that by phone.

However, at almost 18, I still have to take him to climbing and be there till the end of his session. Seems fairly random, esp since he can go climbing elsewhere with his friends without me. I think it’s to do with insurance.

So did my grandson. Sometimes I'd drop him off on his own and go and park. he was under 16.

They were making out that I have to do everything, I signed her paperwork yesterday. I think I will call them and have a chat about this, thanks.

I was living alone at 16 (in the UK, not in boarding school but “out” with the general public) and was able to attend medical appointments on my own. Not that many years back. Where did this new rule come from?

I have no idea tbh and really didn't think it was an issue. I am 51 so not young at all but when I was 16 I was doing many things myself, I was working and would pop in for various appointments in my lunch break or after work.

It is getting a bit silly imo, 16 is old enough to start doing a few things on your own. How are young people supposed to develop resilience and independence?

I absolutely was going to the dentist on my own at 8. Obviously my mum would bring me, but sit outside. I know because I had to have a lot of fillings and teeth pulled and it was horrific having to do it alone. I can remember once running to the waiting area in tears because I was too afraid. That said, my parents were a bit shit, so maybe that wasn’t the norm!

That’s wild! I had a dentist appt notification for my 11 year old the other day, which gave us the option to ring up for information afterwards if she attended the actual appointment on her own. 16 year olds can absolutely go to the dentist alone!

I was just thinking hopefully my 11 year old can start going by himself as it’s literally on his way back from school! I guess I may need to rethink

According to the law, it is your daughter's consent the dentist must ask for at 16+, not yours. The dentist's surgery must not ask you to sign her papers.

I'll ring then today and find out what's going on.

Ha! I took my 16 yr old DD to the dentist a few weeks back and she wanted me to come in with her. I mentioned it to the dentist that she can come in on her own now and she agreed. She also said DD can sign her own paperwork. So your dentist is wrong OP.

If it's any help, here is what Great Ormond Street Hospital says to parents:
"If your child is aged 16 or 17 years old, the law states that they must be the person who is asked to give consent unless they are not able to make the decision. You can only give consent on behalf of your 16 or 17 year old child if they are legally unable to consent for themselves."

I haven't found the actual legislation yet, but I'll have another look shortly.

DS was in a similar situation - ie 6th form college in same town as dentist (which were 5 miles from home). Once he was in 6th form he took himself to the dentist.
Maybe there has been an 'incident' involving a minor at your surgery which has led to this decision by the dentist.
I'd be inclined to discuss it with them to find out the reasons.

Is this an NHS dentist or private? At 16 your daughter wouldn't have to pay for the appointments on the NHS but a private dentist she'd probably have to. Could this be a payment concern? If the parent isn't present, will we be paid?!! I used to go to see my NHS dentist in my own at that age (appreciate it was a long time ago now!). Perhaps you need to ask the surgery why, especially if it's an NHS, so shouldn't be a payment concern and the dentist is female, so no issues there either!!