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AIBU?

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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:
JesusSufferingFuck22 · 28/02/2022 15:16

I'm going for my first check up since lock down next month. I am CV so wanted to wait till vaccinated and cases lowered.
My dh had been 2 or 3 times during lock down.

pointythings · 28/02/2022 15:18

We were seen in January before COVID, then in August 2020, and 6 monthly ever since as per usual.

Twinkletowedelephant · 28/02/2022 15:22

Could get appointment with local dentist... absolutely useless no appointments available to book no urgent appointment no parents in with kids... Moved to another practice 1/2 hour drive away took 6 months for available NHS appointment we went in Jan. Me and 3dc all check up Boy2 referred to orthodontists as may need braces... Referral came through for march. So much nicer than the old practice we were putting up with for years.

NameChangeCity123 · 28/02/2022 15:23

Not been since the start of lockdown as our dentist closed and they have now hiked the prices up by around 2.5x original costs

HopefulProcrastinator · 28/02/2022 15:26

Our NHS dentist still isn't doing routine checks. I've got an email confirming that we won't be removed from the books unless we decline the return appointment when they restart.

I'm not overly worried about the children because their orthodontist has been seeing them regularly and the orthodontist is happy with the condition of their teeth.

I am twitchy about being removed as a NHS patient in spite of the email though. There are no NHS dentists taking on in our area and I absolutely cannot afford dental insurance so I'll have to opt out of routine dental checks and hope for the best.

EmpressCixi · 28/02/2022 15:29

NHS dentist been every six months per usual. Also to private dental hygienist every six months per usual. Last was September, next is due in March.

nannybeach · 28/02/2022 15:45

August funnily enough got reminder today. Even got an emergency appointment during lockdown.

Flowersandbread · 28/02/2022 16:34

Last time I was seen was late 2019, my youngest dd was 1ish at the time. We were booked to go in January 2022 but my dd got covid and we were told the next available app was December 2022! I'm not happy but there is little I can do. And apparently they only book 1 year ahead.

I went in last week to try and book a hygienist app for me and managed to bag a cancellation in May. I was more annoyed though because while there a lady came to reception to pay for her appointment and went on to confirm her next appointments in May, Oct and Dec. I'm sure she has good reason but it annoyed me. I'm definitely popping in in July to book for next July

MintyFreshBreath · 28/02/2022 16:41

About three weeks ago. NHS patient too thankfully.

Bickles · 28/02/2022 16:53

DS - NHS, last week, Aug 21, Feb 21, Aug 20. Just check ups.
Me- work as a private dentist. Practice reopened July 20, I went back Sept 20. By Christmas 20 we were up to date with necessary treatment and most check ups who wanted them and had prioritised NHS kids and plan patients.
Now we’re very busy but working normally including unnecessary treatment like cosmetic work. We are accepting new private patients but not non registered emergencies.

OkayCoral · 28/02/2022 16:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whiskeywithwater · 28/02/2022 16:57

I’ve had 3 check up appointments for me and kids in last 2 years, plus hygienist twice and DD been seeing orthodontist every 6 weeks since June 2020 - braces just about to come off.

Shellingbynight · 28/02/2022 17:02

My NHS dentist re-started regular check ups in March 2021, so I had appointments last March and then November. They didn't send the usual email/text alerts so I didn't realise they had re-started until I called to find out. I had to wait a few weeks for an appointment but that is 'normal' for a check up. I also had a hygienist appointment last May.

ghostyslovesheets · 28/02/2022 17:08

seen 6 mths ago for check up (me and kids) next apt is Friday

BUT dd3 needed braces pre covid - finally saw the ortho in Dec - there is a 5 year waiting list - so we have had to pay :(

PaperMonster · 28/02/2022 17:27

We went in Jan, also last summer. Popped in to see him about something a couple of weeks ago as he’d suggested doing so. NHS dentist.

notacooldad · 28/02/2022 18:11

Odd isn't it that the dental system works to give people with good teeth a regular check up, but GPs struggle to see sick people
I’ve had no issues about being seen by a go.
I’ve had phone appointments which are great but when they needed to explore a bit more they’ve had me in. In one case within an hour a half of speaking to the GP.
Same with DS during the height of lockdown. He rang up with an issue and went to go in the next day.
When our County wide paper asked for peoples experiences on fb it was a very similar story.

itssquidstella · 28/02/2022 18:21

I went last week and in September (I also had a hygienist appointment in September). My last appointment before that was March 2020 - I managed to squeeze one in just before lockdown hit!

My dentist is basically back to normal now; I'd have thought you should be able to book a routine check up if you need one.

Tumbleweed101 · 28/02/2022 18:29

We last went on Friday. Been having regular check ups since end of 2020.

Oblomov22 · 28/02/2022 18:29

Mine have had 2. And also been seen every 6 weeks by the orthodontist for braces, that have now been on a year so ready to come off.
Many friends have been struck off for not attending during covid. Good job they didn't suggest that to me because they'd have felt the true force of my wrath.

Anonymous48 · 28/02/2022 18:30

@itssquidstella

I went last week and in September (I also had a hygienist appointment in September). My last appointment before that was March 2020 - I managed to squeeze one in just before lockdown hit!

My dentist is basically back to normal now; I'd have thought you should be able to book a routine check up if you need one.

It sounds like she hasn't even tried to book one, so I don't understand what her complaint is! Is she expecting a gold plated invitation?
Sceptre86 · 28/02/2022 18:31

In Scotland and haven't seen a dentist since 2019. I've tried but they are still saying emergency appointments.

MrsDThomas · 28/02/2022 18:59

2 weeks ago. Before that was last April for a wisdom tooth removal.

Its been back to normal at my surgery for many many months

Original poster
fingersdoublecrossed · 28/02/2022 18:59

@SC215

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.

I confirmed the change of address with them. I filled in an online form and then a few months later, I couldn't remember whether I'd done it or not, so I rang them and they were able to tell me my new address.
OP posts:
Original poster
fingersdoublecrossed · 28/02/2022 19:02

@SC215

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!

At a guess, I'm going to say that they probably gave me an appointment time we couldn't make, and I rearranged it for the next school holiday. By which time, Covid was probably in the country.
OP posts:
Original poster
fingersdoublecrossed · 28/02/2022 19:09

@Anonymous48

Well why haven't you rung to make an appointment if you're so concerned? Confused
We'll, as I said in my OP, I didn't know whether people were being seen routinely again or whether it was just emergencies. We haven't been able to see our GP yet, so I presumed it was the same for dentists. For example - I needed a yearly review for a medication, so I rang the GP to make an appointment and they told me to just keep putting in the repeat. It's been 16 months now since I joined the surgery - I've never even met them.
OP posts: