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.

That's mad. I usually take DD2 (15, will be 16 in Feb) to the orthodontist but for the last one both DH and I had to be in the office on the same day.

I emailed the practice to ask if it is ok for her to go on her own and they said it was fine.

Very strange, my dd was just 16 and they gave her the forms to sign for her oral surgery, they didn’t need my consent at all. Your daughter needs to push back.

@Ketchupmunchies

You have to be 18 to be married in the UK now

That's not UK law, it only applies in 2 of the 4 countries.

Time to roll out my regular “uk doesn’t mean just England” banner

Our orthodontist insisted my DS went in alone through Covid and encourages it still now for all patients although doesn't insist. My other DS 14yo goes in on his own at both the dentist and orthodontist. My eldest went to hospital recently with school for a suspected finger break. I phoned the drs afterwards as is I wanted some clarification on something re the injury and I knew they'd have the report but they wouldn't tell me anything as he is over 16 and said he'd need to phone himself.

I would be frustrated if I was you but I think you're going to have to just go with it as finding another dentist isn't worth it!