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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Last time you had an appointment with a dentist?

135 replies

fingersdoublecrossed · 27/02/2022 21:22

Just wondering really.
For us, it was before Covid. Not too bothered for the adults in the family, but I'm worried for my child. Her last routine appointment was June 2019, when she was told she would most likely need braces in the future.
Should I be pushing for an appointment or are we still in 'place' where it's just emergencies that get seen?

OP posts:
SC215 · 27/02/2022 23:55

January 2021 and 22. I have yearly check ups, so didn't end up missing any appointments because of covid. They weren't doing full scale and polishes in 21, but were in 22.

Aren't kids meant to have 6 monthly check ups, so why hasn't your daughter had an appointment since June 2019? Especially if they said she might need braces. Chase it up, that was nearly 3 years ago!

worriedatthemoment · 28/02/2022 00:03

Not since pre covid
No nhs dentists taking patients and people are struggling to get a private one as well
We did all have appts but the dentist cancelled and never rebooked
I have been trying to book but no answer on phone so have emailed
Ds18 has a brace so has been seeing orthodontist but should really be seeing a dentist its piss poor we can't get an appt

sofakingcool · 28/02/2022 00:05

You're probably off the books now. I last saw the dentist Autumn 2019, had an app that was booked for Jan 2020 which I had to postpone. The next app was cancelled during the pandemic, so I went in recently to be told as I hadn't been for 2 years that I'd been knocked off the list Sad

SC215 · 28/02/2022 00:08

I'm going to contact mine tomorrow. I'm not particularly happy about it, so they will feel my wrath if they tell me we've been struck off. We moved house 12 months ago so I spoke to them then to change address but that's the only communication we've had.

They probably haven't updated your address. These things happen. I had to tell my dentist about my new address twice before they updated it. Don't get arsey with them and unlease your wrath on the receptionist, they will probably be less than inclined to help you. You probably have been taken off their books if you are NHS as you haven't had an appointment for 2 years, so I would expect them to say that, and then politely explain about your house move, how you did tell them a year ago, and just assumed you hadn't heard anything because of covid. I didn't go to my NHS dentist from the ages of 11 - 19 (because my parents didn't take me), and managed to sweet talk my way back on the same day.

ilovesooty · 28/02/2022 00:10

About a month ago. I've been seeing the dentist and hygienist as normal for at least 18 months.

YouCantTourniquetTheTaint · 28/02/2022 00:11

About 4 years give or take a year or two. I need to be sedated to go to the dentist. Last time I tried I took 50mg of diazapam and still couldn't get through the door. The fear is real Sad

Woeismethischristmas · 28/02/2022 00:16

Normal check ups back on, I’ve also had a root canal on nhs and scale and polish private. I’d call them and book.

Chely · 28/02/2022 00:41

Checkups resumed pretty quick at our dentist, the kids were prioritised then adults. We're on annual, kids went in September and I have my next in a couple of weeks. DS is on the waiting list for braces with the orthodontist.

blueshoes · 28/02/2022 00:52

3 weeks ago (crown replacement). Next appointment is in 3 weeks (hygienist) followed by another appointment in 2 months (dentist, routine check).

I see my dentist far too often. Dentist has been operating since the first lockdown ended.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 28/02/2022 01:28

I had an onlay put on 2 weeks ago Sad. I've been seeing the dentist as normal for the past 18 months though.

XenoBitch · 28/02/2022 01:29

2018

Doratheexploret · 28/02/2022 01:32

Our dentist called to cancel in March 2020 and I’ve not been since. I did manage to get an appointment fir the kids though.

avamiah · 28/02/2022 01:47

I last saw my dentist about 10 months ago, for a wisdom tooth extraction, X rays, fillings and a clean, and I know this because the practice went from being NHS to Private just like that and I was struggling to pay for the treatments if I’m being honest but luckily they knew me so didn’t ask for it upfront so I paid after every treatment.

When I questioned them about going Private I was told they had no choice ?

20viona · 28/02/2022 02:27

Completely normal at my dentist.

HopingForMyRainbowBaby · 28/02/2022 11:58

About 4 years ago

Scarlettpixie · 28/02/2022 13:41

DS and I were both seen in the autumn for inspections (different dental practices). I had a filling last week and DS should have had one on Fri but it has been cancelled for the second time by text so I need to ring them to rearrange,

Have you been waiting for them to contact you because I think really the onus is on you to contact them. Wait times have increased (probably due to extra cleaning and the delays in seeing people while they were closed). They will have enough clients without them reminding people to make an appointment!

OneTC · 28/02/2022 13:46

They've been doing normal dentistry at my mum's dentist since mid 2020, and i last had an appointment at mine in December 21

If your kid last went in June 2019 but lockdown didn't start until march 2020 why did they miss their December/January check up?

Leftbutcameback · 28/02/2022 13:47

I was very lucky and had essentially normal appointments throughout. I did move from NHS to private. My dentists are very proud of not having an outbreak (of the rona). It makes me think other dentists could have been doing the same.

lobsterkiller · 28/02/2022 14:09

I go usually every 6 months. Saw the dentist during the second lockdown and last week.

MadisonAvenue · 28/02/2022 14:10

My dentist is back to normal.
I had a check up appointment sent for last July which I couldn’t make so rescheduled for September (and when I turned up, after taking two buses to get there, I was told that it was cancelled although they hadn’t contacted me but they managed to fit me in after all). I had another last month which was my next six monthly check up brought forward as I was having toothache.

Anonymous48 · 28/02/2022 14:13

Well why haven't you rung to make an appointment if you're so concerned? Confused

Trinacham · 28/02/2022 14:48

Mine is still only taking emergencies. I've called a few times in the past few months and it's still the case. Not sure when I was last seen. My last appointment was March 2020 but I think that was cancelled.

dottydodah · 28/02/2022 14:50

My NHS dentist is pretty much back to normal now .Last seen in early January,my Son the following week .We have follow up appts in July .I would defo call them and make enquiries .

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 28/02/2022 14:56

I’m in England. NHS dental patient. I was seen at the begining of Feb. The one before that was March 2021, so there is a bit of a delay there as our dentist’s usual routine check up interval is 8mo but he was off for personal reasons, so not covid related. We were lucky that we’d seen the dentist for routine checks just before we were locked down in March 2020, so didn’t go too long.

I’d give them a prod, especially as your child hasn’t been seen.

Calennig · 28/02/2022 15:06

We are in Wales - our have seen us and we are all booked in for next one - but it's more like 12 month visit than every 6 months still.

IL and DP in England seen but not normal and Ddad was let go and directed to dental hospital for complex issues and is struggling to find a new dentist.

Orthodontist list have apparently got even longer - though treatment for DD1 wnet Okay and DS is probably only 8 months late actually starting. We were told for youngest it's added another year - she'll wait on list.

So I'd ring and see where they are and check on the list for orthodontist - our puts the kids on in Y6 but expects them to be seen Y9/Y10 - which is what happened with our oldest two.