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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is what the Credit Card is for?

97 replies

BitterSweetSound · 26/02/2018 17:01

I have a really painful tooth, suspect I may need it removing as I've had problems with this one before.

We don't have £70-100 (band 2 treatment) lying around for me to have the treatment but do have a credit card with £300 limit spend on it for "emergencies". We can pay the minimum off on it each month if we cut back a bit and we'd be debt free again by Christmas.

DH thinks that this isn't what the credit card is for and I should wait what could be months until I can afford it - last time we needed to pay it off he had to stop smoking so we could afford it (we spend £10 a week on cigarettes for him!) so that would be the first thing I'd expect him to give up in order to do it. He's usually a great man and a good dad to our DD but he is very addicted to his cigarettes (and before anyone asks he never smokes in the house or garden, never in the car, and never when we're out with DD - if he needs one he has to make arrangements to have one away from DD without leaving us to do a family activity without him - basically I make it as difficult as possible for him to smoke but he still does)

So AIBU to think this is what the credit card is for? Or do I have to wait until I can afford it

OP posts:
mixture · 26/02/2018 17:24

Bad oral health may cause heart problems, or so I've read. Treating a bad tooth is a health investment for the long run. If you (both?) give up smoking you'll be able to pay off the debt very swiftly...

Original poster
BitterSweetSound · 26/02/2018 17:26

DH works 45 hours a week and I work 20/25 both above the min wage and our annual income is just above the threshold for TCs. We're only on a tight budget because Nursery fees are costing us £500pm until September as DD turns 3 in June.

OP posts:
Original poster
BitterSweetSound · 26/02/2018 17:26

mixture I don't smoke only DH does.

OP posts:
bushtailadventures · 26/02/2018 17:28

First thing, using the cc for the dentist is definitely 'emergency use' and what it's for. Plus, if you don't get it seen to now it will probably get worse and you could end up with an abcess, or need more work than just Band 2.

Second thing, if you look at the NHS banding, the check-up cost is included in the Band 2 pricing, it's not charged seperately! www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/nhs-dental-band-charges.aspx?CategoryID=74

BewareOfDragons · 26/02/2018 17:28

Of course that's what the emergency credit card is for!

And your 'D'H is an arse and a half for suggesting otherwise. Tell him to quit smoking for a few months if he's that fussed about it and pay it off quickly.

LittleMyLikesSnuffkin · 26/02/2018 17:31

Absolutely use the credit card to sort your tooth out! Being in pain and the added expectation that the pain will get worse if you don’t sort it (and it will) is definitely an emergency!

Weedsnseeds1 · 26/02/2018 17:33

If you have a teaching hospital near you they normally do free treatment, as long as you don't mind having a student practice on you ( they are supervised by someone qualified).

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 26/02/2018 17:36

He's an idiot. I'm all for not going into debt but if you don't attend to a rotten tooth you can end up with a festering abscess which pulls your entire health down (not exaggerating, seen it happen).

TheSeasonOfTheWitch · 26/02/2018 17:36

Sorry to post again, but I'm really outraged!!!
He actually thinks his wife should walk around in pain and wait to get medical help so he can literally turn money to fucking smoke???

Honestly, truly, if this was my husband I would put it on the CC, and ask him to eff off for the weekend to show him what single life is like. If he wasn't crawling back having given up the fags and promising to pay off the card, I would really rethink my husband.

You are in actual pain. He is being unbelievably disgusting.

TheGoalIsToStayOutOfTheHole · 26/02/2018 17:38

DH thinks that this isn't what the credit card is for

OK, what IS the credit card for then if not to cover emergencies? This is an emergency. He sounds like a dick. use the money to stop your pain and tell him to get fucked.

ReanimatedSGB · 26/02/2018 17:40

I was also going to suggest the nearest teaching hospital (I had a tooth out at the one near me because I am too much of a wuss not to have a Valium shot, and I couldn't have afforded it otherwise).

Is your DP generally a penny-pincher, or do you think this is his way of protesting about your attitude to him smoking? There will no doubt be an onslaught of wailing and pants-pooping at the next thing I am about to say but...It is not up to you to enforce a smoking ban on him. Smoking is not illegal. Unless you live your own life entirely without treats (no magazines, no takeaway coffees, no lipstick that you just fancied when you saw it, etc) you probably need to stop pestering him about it.

CoffeeOrSleep · 26/02/2018 17:41

You are in pain. You need this doing now - not in several months time.

Frankly, if the person I loved was in pain and I had to give a little treat up to pay for it, then I would, because I love them.

Get your tooth fixed ASAP, point out if you leave it a) you will be in pain and b) you can't afford for him to smoke anyway if you don't have even £70 in savings. If you are living hand to mouth, he can't waste £40 on himself.

MatildaTheCat · 26/02/2018 17:45

Let me tell you a little secret: YOU DO NOT NEED HIS PERMISSION .

Get the work done. Enquire discreetly if there is any way of reducing or spreading the cost.

‘D’H has clearly never had severe tooth pain. If he carries on smoking he might though. Wink

Trills · 26/02/2018 17:48

What the fuck is wrong with your husband?

Crispbutty · 26/02/2018 17:49

I would also apply for a credit card of your own and use that if you need it. He sounds like an utter twat.

CavoliRiscaldati · 26/02/2018 17:50

Of course it's an emergency and whilst that's not really what credit card are for, if it's your only option, you have no choice.

Have you asked your dentist if he offers payment plans? If he does, compare the cost with him vs the cost of your credit repayment.

Worldsworstcook · 26/02/2018 17:53

Oh dear lord, get it done or £100 on a credit card won't touch the cost of your future dental bill! Abscesses require several dental trips and then there's the follow up treatment - DO IT!!

Viviennemary · 26/02/2018 17:55

You need to get your tooth seen to without delay.

Summercat · 26/02/2018 17:55

@BitterSweetSound

You should NOT have a check up price on top of the filling (so it's 80-odd quid!) Band 2 is £56. (Or thereabouts.) For a national health dentist.

And your husband is being VERY unreasonable and very harsh!

Get your dental work done. ASAP.

screamingskull · 26/02/2018 17:56

Of course this is what a CC is for, get it done, toothache is the work of the devil. Do you have a dental hospital near you, this may be a cheaper alternative, regardless you need your teeth fixed.

Summercat · 26/02/2018 17:56

I mean the band 2 price £56 will be for the check up AND the filling or tooth extraction, even if the check up and filling/extraction were 6 weeks apart!

Riverside2 · 26/02/2018 17:57

I second what TheSeasonOfTheWitch has said.

though I'd stuff his ciggies up his arse first.

Riverside2 · 26/02/2018 17:57

And I'm not even anti-smoking!!!

Sarsparella · 26/02/2018 17:57

Your DH is a twat, get yourself a dentist appointment ASAP and pay on your credit card, of course that’s a reasonable thing to use it for

Frouby · 26/02/2018 17:58

Get it done OP.

I had to havr band 3 treatment done after Christmas. We were skint so used the credit card. My mum had to have band 3 done. She doesn't have the money so I am paying it on my credit card and she is paying me back.

Don't ask his permission. Just get it done.