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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to expect my son to be able to go to the Dentist for nothing?

16 replies

motheroftwoboys · 14/05/2011 10:02

No doubt there has been many a rant about this but it just seems so unfair! DS1 is at Uni in London and his student loan is not enough even to cover his accommodation. He applied for "limited help with health costs" and was assessed as being able to pay for treatment after a certain amount. (with dentist he would get treatment free after he had paid £188.13). How hard up do you have to be to be able to go for a check up for nothing? he had a check up and a filling over the Easter holidays at our dentist at "home" - Newcastle and it cost him (me!) £47! Just got the bill today. I had misunderstood the form and thought that he would be covered for dental costs up to a max of £118.13 (which would have been fine as he has so little done). Presumably if he didn't work at all and wasn't studying then he would get everything free! The world has gone mad. Rant over. It made me feel better.

OP posts:

sparkle12mar08 · 14/05/2011 10:06

Yes, yabu, sorry.

happymole · 14/05/2011 10:09

Sorry but YABU

Why can't he get a part time job to help with expenses?

going · 14/05/2011 10:12

YABU.

I resent that I have to pay, even NHS fees, but feel lucky that I have an NHS option or my last treatment would have cost three times the amount!

nijinsky · 14/05/2011 10:15

I think entirely free dental treatment may be for people on benefits. The standard charges for NHS dental treatment are limited to a maximum for certain kinds of treatment and it sounds as if the treatment he needs falls within the higher bracket.

YANBU as dental care should be like other NHS treatment, free at point of use, we certainly pay enough tax in this country.

As a student, he might try to get treated by his university dental hospital, free of charge (possibly his NHS dentist might agree to refer him). It takes a while though.

x2boys · 14/05/2011 11:12

Iknow its tough i was once told i could nt join a dental practiceas i was ent claiming benefits i did nt quite that one as i thought nhs services were accessible to all regardlessof whether you were entitled to benefits or not i,m having all my treatment done now as i,m still free as my baby is nearly one cant afford it otherwise

FabbyChic · 14/05/2011 11:13

My son is at Uni and he too does not get free dental treatment, on those that do are on benefits.

coccyx · 14/05/2011 11:16

he is an adult, get a part time job

slightlymad72 · 14/05/2011 11:17

NHS Dental treatment whats that? Not had or been able to get a NHS dentist for nearly 8 years, my children are treated privately, thankfully our dentist is not a rip off merchant.

GypsyMoth · 14/05/2011 11:20

how old is he? an adult i assume?

so he should get a job.....as well as study.

bronze · 14/05/2011 11:23

OP doesnt say whether he has a job or not. I had assumed that he had (opposite to others) as she says his load doesnt even cover his rent

nickelbabe · 14/05/2011 11:25

I didn't go to the dentist at all when I was at uni.

just saying....

ashamedandconfused · 14/05/2011 11:32

it costs us £15 x 3 children every time we go for a check up, a quick look, a quick count and fluoride gel applied to the elder 2 childrens adult molars as and when they come through

£45 and all 3 done in less than 10 minutes! If DH and I also have a check/polish it comes to about £150

But,in order to instill good practice in them , we think this is important. I was never a regular at the dentist when i was a kid, even though everything would have been free then for us, and I judge my parents on that - but I was lucky and have strong good teeth, in general.

None of my 3 have any fillings at all and long may it last.

socka · 14/05/2011 11:37

If his income was low enough he'd be allowed free treatment. He must get parental help, or have a large enough loan to mean they think he has enough money. NHS prices aren't too bad really, but I sympathise. DD tried to get help with healthcare costs but like your son still has to pay unless it's mega bucks. Just meant that she hasn't gone to the dentist this year sadly.

Original poster

motheroftwoboys · 14/05/2011 12:40

thanks for that - not as cross now but still feel that anyone in full time education or anyone retired should be entitled to free NHS care - but maybe I wish for Utopia! Just for information - the charge was for a check up and a filling - hardly anything out of the ordinary. This is his first and only filling. Son number 2 - coming up 19 - hasn't had one yet. DS2 does have a part time job and we do have to help out - as I said, his grant doesn't cover the essentials. My point just was that surely we should be able to expect these basic things. DS1 says that most of his friends just don't go to the dentist as they can't afford it so storing up a load of problems for the future.

OP posts:

springbokscantjump · 14/05/2011 15:22

But his friends are adults (and idiots). I know how hard it is as a student in London but most people go to the dentist once or twice a year. so even if he put down a fiver a month he'd have enough to cover his dental appts. if they couldn't even afford that they'll probably be able to get more from the NHS or need to learn how to manage money better.

fairydoll · 14/05/2011 15:33

I think all children should have access to NHS dentist though.

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