AIBU to complain after NHS dentist did filling for my 16 year-old?

[Claryyy]

Looking for some advice/perspective on this as I’m absolutely fuming and not sure where I stand legally or ethically with our NHS dentist.

My 16yo DS went for a standard routine check-up on his own today. He’s always had glowing reports and zero issues so I didn't think twice about letting him go alone (his first time alone).

He came home and told me that the dentist found a hole in his back molar. Because they had a free slot right after his appointment, she went straight ahead and did a silver filling there and then. DS said he felt completely pressured into it and didn't really feel like he could say no.

I’m upset about this on so many levels:

• Lack of consent/consultation: Should the dentist not have spoken to me first? I know he's not a baby anymore, but to go straight from a routine check-up into a procedure without giving him time to process it or talk to a parent feels wrong.
• Amalgam filling: They gave him a silver amalgam filling. If I’d known, I would have 100% paid privately for a white composite filling. It looks so dark and obvious in his mouth and he's self-conscious about it.
• Dubious need: Given his track record, I’m genuinely dubious he even needed it done urgently.
• The experience: He was completely unprepared. He’s never had a local anaesthetic injection in his mouth before and he said the whole thing was terrifying and hurt a fair bit.

AIBU to be furious about how this was handled? Can an NHS dentist just carry out procedures on a teenager without discussing options with a parent or explaining material choices?

Has anyone dealt with something similar, and is it worth making a formal complaint to the practice manager? Would you like help drafting a formal complaint letter to the practice manager once you see what the consensus is on your post?

I agree. The only problem with getting it replaced is that that process can release even more mercury in to the body. A safer bet is using a biological dentist to perform this.....but that of course costs ££££
I would be incredibly annoyed with the original dentist! I don't think a child (under the age of 18) should have been given this procedure without first suggesting the child have conversation with their parent - who will no doubt be paying for it in the first place!!

I'm pretty sure it's free for the 16 year old so no the parent wouldn't be paying

And 16 is definitely the age that you can give consent for medical treatment

Do the NHS even do white fillings?

No, your dentist will give you the option to pay for one though. I had one and it was about £100. Well worth it IMO. I hate the look of the silver ones.

I'm sorry to hear that....everything has become so expensive and it's a hideous situation for many......but that still doens't mean that it was right to pressurise a mere 16 yr old in to having treatment that their parent was paying for if parent was not happy with a silver filling. I personally think it's out of order for the dentist to have done this

Why would parent be paying for free treatment?

Is it free? Even so, I'd be annoyed if the dentist went ahead giving a mercury filling to any child of mine under the age of 16 😡

I mean 18!

Of course it's free for a 16 year old.and it's his teeth so it's up to him to say if he doesn't want it. If he's unable to do this then may e he should be accompanied ( or taught to say something)