to think this never happens at the dentist

[TotHappy]

Just found a lump on the inside of my cheek and casually googled it, as you do. Came up with this, slightly worryingly.
Have a look at the list of things dentists supposedly do at a normal check up. Aibu to say, they never do a single one of these things? I think if I went in for a checkup and asked for this my dentist would be

I had a pre cancerous lump removed from the base of my tongue...picked up by student dentist (keen!) My current dentist is a bit lacking I feel... a quick squint in mouth, in and out in a few min £20 odd quid please . I might make more of a fuss next time....

No, never had this done to my knowledge. In fact I went to the dentist today with white patches in my gums and he said its "blanching" but not to worry just use a soft toothbrush.

So, not sure I am impressed as when I first saw it I too thought "mouth cancer!!!"

Oh lordy lord

On topic and going somewhere with it too... I am completely phobic about the d people. I'm not a softie, I've been through some more than uncomfortable urgh nightmares, but bizarrely this one still gets me. I'm also scared of that illness because I had it somewhere else and it was brutal (hence the reason its ridiculous that I so don't want to go see these scary people after I just about survived that), but reassurance is a big thing for me now if it turns out there are scary checks and let's face it, I need to sort myself out.

Anyone else ridiculously shamelessly phobic (as in I won't let them touch me, it's insane) or know anyone who is? Any advice on how to get this done preferably without any knowledge before during or after?

My dentist always does this (private)

My NHS dentist always does this.

My Dentist (nhs) does health checks I was a smoker for years though but I have been twice as an ex smoker and she still does them.

My private dentist does, but she also did so as an NHS one ( she moved when practice was sold to a big chain and we would have followed her anywhere )

My NHS dentist does these although he’s just retired. Will have to see if the new one does!

Like Papergirl, never had the neck check. Some of the other things might be done without my noticing I suppose.

My NHS dentist does this.
Same one for twenty years. He noticed something nasty last year, during a routine check up one Friday afternoon. He contacted the hospital, and I saw an ENT consultant on the Monday. I'm doing well, and very, very, grateful.

You know I’m actually a bit worried now that I could have all sorts going on in my mouth and my dentist hasn’t noticed.

MrsJayy, I've been a smoker for 15 years and they know this. I'm not teetotal either. I'm disgusted I say, DISGUSTED (well maybe mildly indignant) and I think I might actually ask them next time. Part of the reason I'm reluctant to go for yearly check ups and stretch it out to 18 months is because I resent being charged £21 for nothing but a quick gander. I didn't now there were lists I could refer to of what they should do!

@WomanEquals precisely!

My nhs dentist has never done these. P'raps a bit of a rub along the gumline of my lower jaw, but nothing else. Should i ask for it, do you think?

My NHS dentist doesn't touch my neck but certainly does the rest.

My NHS dentist does. It's a fairly recent thing though.

Well, yetAnother, the link I posted at the start says this:
Please do talk about the examination with your dentist – they will be more than happy to talk through exactly what they are doing, where they are looking, and what they are searching for

So you definitely should.
Haha... I don't think mine will be remotely happy. To be fair, they always seem to be chronically over worked. But maybe it is a recent innovation.

It could be a blocked Salivary Duct.

My dentist is very thorough and does all of these checks every time I see him.

Plenty of dentists I have worked with have done this and have had their staff record NAD - no abnormalities detected.

If there were concerns, they would record them in the notes and suggest the patient seek further medical advice

Are you a dental nurse or dental staff, differentname?

So basically its just random then - the fact that about half of you say they do do this suggests that it is a thing that presumably they should do, but at least half of us have never had it done.

Well I think I will ask for it!

Just to add last time I went to my dentists (private) the hygienist also did a neck / general check too like this.
I don't think any other hygienists have before, but seemed very thorough.
I saw her before the dentist so maybe did that to flag any concerns up to him to be aware of during his consult?

My new NHS dentist does it including feeling the jaw/glands. I think he's from Eastern Europe originally. I have never had a private or NHS dentist do it to me before so I found it quite surprising and very thorough.

Mine does (private - though coi, she is my mum so might be being extra thorough!)

Mine did this