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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think this never happens at the dentist

50 replies

TotHappy · 01/05/2018 22:28

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

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StandardLampski · 01/05/2018 23:07

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....

StaplesCorner · 01/05/2018 23:09

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!!!"

LuluMarie · 01/05/2018 23:10

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?

TowerRingInferno · 01/05/2018 23:10

My dentist always does this (private)

FlagDay · 01/05/2018 23:14

My NHS dentist always does this.

MrsJayy · 01/05/2018 23:18

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.

PlatypusPie · 01/05/2018 23:19

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 )

BlondeB83 · 01/05/2018 23:21

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

Gwenhwyfar · 01/05/2018 23:22

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

CrustyCob · 01/05/2018 23:29

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.

WomanEqualsAdultHumanFemale · 01/05/2018 23:32

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.

Original poster

TotHappy · 01/05/2018 23:34

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!

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Original poster

TotHappy · 01/05/2018 23:37

@WomanEquals precisely!

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yetAnotherNewName1000 · 01/05/2018 23:38

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?

cdtaylornats · 01/05/2018 23:43

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

megletthesecond · 01/05/2018 23:43

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

Original poster

TotHappy · 01/05/2018 23:46

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.

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Charolais · 01/05/2018 23:50

It could be a blocked Salivary Duct.

AlexaAmbidextra · 02/05/2018 00:00

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

differentnameforthis · 02/05/2018 00:03

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

Original poster

TotHappy · 02/05/2018 00:32

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!

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covetingthepreciousthings · 02/05/2018 08:21

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?

GottaBeStrong · 02/05/2018 14:22

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.

CantChoose · 02/05/2018 16:12

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

Jamsandwhichandgrapes · 02/05/2018 17:09

Mine did this

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