Free dental care when pregnant non existent due to Covid

[LuckyA]

AIBU that I didn’t get to use my free dental care when pregnant as dentists were shut in lockdown and I couldn’t get in when they opened as they were so busy? It’s still free for a year after birth but I don’t have childcare again in this lockdown to go and use it. Anyone else think it’s not fair and the government should extend the time we can use it? My gums bled in pregnancy but I never got it checked

Don’t be ridiculous. Do you actually need any treatment or what is is you’re actually wanting?

I didn’t need a prescription throughout my pregnancy or first year of DS’s life so does that mean my free prescription entitlement should have been extended til I could make the most of it?

I was a private patient at an NHS dentist. They haven’t been open since March. I had a crown that fell out and a broken tooth, but they weren’t emergencies apparently.

That’s why I’ve had to spend, so far, £1500 on getting some important but not emergency work done. It won’t be the end of it either.

You're a bit of a CF arent you op. Have you actually got a problem with your teeth or do you just want to go because it's free?

I'm paying monthly for private healthcare, that I pay an EXTRA premium for dental cover, and I can't get in for a checkup, they are only seeing emergencies (not uk).

I didn’t make the policy! I just want to use what I am legally entitled to. There must be a reason why pregnant women can have free dental care For a year and that’s because pregnancy can exacerbate some dental problems. How do I know if there any issues going on in my mouth if I can’t get to have a check up?

Those of you saying you pay privately yourself, well good for you that you can afford it. That’s like saying you pay for private school for your kids and they’re providing a full online timetable during lockdown but my state school isn’t so therefore I should pay for my kids to go private if I want them to not be affected?!

yeah I can't get any dentist in my area to take me on as an NHS patient for the free dental!

I had a check up at my dentist and I’m pregnant and an NHS patient. I was worried about my teeth as I’ve got hyperemesis gravidarum and he identified some areas of redness where I need to floss better. Many pregnant women have ruined teeth from pregnancy. Hence why we are entitled to free care!

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/teeth-and-gums-pregnant/

why are there so many awful people on here - it is a free thing you get while your pregnant and for a year after the baby is born? Why wouldn't you want to use it - you are actually supposed to go to the dentist every 6 months - so why wouldn't you expect to use it?

Bitter fucking people on this site

I managed 1 checkup before covid. DS is 1 on Friday. I can't get a checkup either. Yes we know there are bigger issues going on but when money is tight (as it is for many just now) free dental care is great.

Bleeding gums in pregnancy is common. It’s a hormonal over reaction
The cure?- flossing or tepes every every every day
Brush gums with an electric toothbrush (ideally). Ignore the blood and step up the cleaning

Yes this should be checked out as you may be brewing gum disease

I think in your position op I’d just pay to see a dentist - it sucks that covid has disrupted so much. But this is where we are right now
Much

My maternity exemption ends next month and I think I used it once for a dental check up in 2019 - I haven't been able to get in since and now it will end before I can get seen, so will have to pay next time. It's crap really but none of the dentists around here are seeing anyone unless it's an emergency (and even then it's apparently hard to be seen)

I sympathise. I need work done due to pregnancy exasperated gum problems. They booked me in for March as whilst it wasn't urgent they did stress that I needed the work. Since that appointment was cancelled they have been emergencies only. I've honestly given up trying. After multiple calls and a few emails I've just accepted that I'll eventually have to pay for it even though I'm not jobless due to covid.

YANBU

I sympathize. I needed a root canal treatment but my dentist were not doing any NHS work and would only do it privately for £900, which I couldn't afford so had to suffer on. My children haven't had their checkups nor have they had their optical appointments to get new glasses, but I was reading about organ transplants being suspended and it all paled into insignificance.