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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

'Free' dentist work??

13 replies

Jolleigh · 27/02/2014 00:35

I'm 8 months pregnant and my overzealous Daim Bar consumption earlier today means I've eaten half a tooth. Now, I'm terrified of the dentist and said as much on Facebook (blatantly fishing for sympathy Wink ). No fewer than 5 people said something along the lines of 'well at least it's free for you' either by PM or on the status itself.

Now, I genuinely don't know if I'm being unreasonable or not here:

Firstly, I'm still paying NI contributions and have been since I was old enough to have a job, so it's not free by any stretch of the imagination.

Secondly, I'd never dream of saying that to someone who was exempt for any other reason, so why is it ok to hold this view for pregnant women?

It's put my nose out of joint and I can't think why Hmm

OP posts:
grownoutofglitter · 27/02/2014 00:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HellomynameisIcklePickle · 27/02/2014 00:45

Yabu, what other nice thing can you say to someone who's about to have horrible dental work??

Original poster
Jolleigh · 27/02/2014 00:47

It's cheaper for me now than it normally would be, yes, but the NHS doesn't fund itself.

It's not something I'm annoyed about...but to me, 'free' would imply that I'm getting something out of the system without paying in to it. But I am paying in...my NI contributions didn't stop when I fell pregnant.

OP posts:
FamiliesShareGerms · 27/02/2014 00:47

There are so few perks of pregnancy but free (as in no additional cash charge) NHS dentistry is definitely one of them. And it's not like you got pregnant in order to have lots of dental work and your friends' comments were in response to your particular post re your filling. So I'd say YABU.

But not about Daim bars, which are gorgeous.

Original poster
Jolleigh · 27/02/2014 00:49

Daim bars are definitely my thing today Wink

I'm pretty sure I'd be told IABU if I shared the fact that I've eaten half a tooth due to a Daim bar and yet am still contemplating eating another. (Daim that is, not tooth)

OP posts:
grownoutofglitter · 27/02/2014 00:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EBearhug · 27/02/2014 00:52

It's free in the sense you don't have to pay a fee for receiving treatment right now, rather than your NI payments don't count.

Original poster
Jolleigh · 27/02/2014 00:55

Oh, I'm not insulted grown - I evidently seem to have a different view of 'free' to others though. My NI contribution this month alone would have more than covered the dental work (especially as they'll only temporarily fill the tooth rather than properly fix it). I see the exemption as being exempt from additional charges, not making the work free.

OP posts:
Hexbugsmakemeitch · 27/02/2014 00:59

I'd think people are just trying to make you feel better, no? If you have to go through something unpleasant at least you aren 't paying extra for the pleasure?

Original poster
Jolleigh · 27/02/2014 01:03

Undoubtedly Hex Smile I know it's not malicious (though on my more hormonal days I may not have made that distinction!)

OP posts:
Hexbugsmakemeitch · 27/02/2014 01:15

Pregnancy is a roller coaster!

Original poster
Jolleigh · 27/02/2014 01:22

I've not had the energy to be pedantic for many months now...probably just a bit of my inner self breaking through Grin

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 27/02/2014 01:27

Dentist work is so expensive that most people welcome getting a bit of free treatment when they are pregnant and up to I think the baby is one. I don't think people mean it as any sort of insult at all.

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