8 year old hasn’t seen a dentist

[1989uk]

Hi all,
I am a little embarrassed to say this but my 8 year old has never seen a dentist and this is from my own phobia of them due to a really bad experience with them when I was younger, but I have now booked in an appointment for her to see a dentist in the next few days as she has told me one of her teeth are a little sharp and she has a slight bit of plaque on her front tooth, but she is very good as brushing her teeth and I’ve always made sure she cleans her teeth and drinks water etc. my worry is that the dentist may think I have been neglectful due to not taking her regularly. Which I haven’t neglected her teeth as she brushes every day, but I am also worried I might get referred to Social services because I haven’t taken her to the dentist , I have read a lot online about dentists referring due to safeguarding etc and now I’m panicking that may happen. She is very well loved and looked after in a loving home. Can anyone help put my mind at rest or is there a risk of ss getting involved. Thanks in advance!

Ss won't get involved unless there is a wider pattern of neglect or ignoring problems. At least you have recognised and are addressing the issue.

Just in case you have any other children , up until the age of 8 at least , you should be going around with a toothbrush yourself after they have brushed their teeth. Because children under this age don’t have the dexterity to brush properly .

Dentists only refer for safeguarding reasons people whose children

are in dental pain, have dental disease who repeatedly fail appointments , or don’t make appointments when child is in pain or has infection

show signs of non accidental injury or neglect

You have nothing to worry about , your child reported a problem and you have made an appointment to get it sorted. It’s when you see children unable to eat or sleep with multiple holes and abcesses , whose parents don’t bring them in for appointments that you worry about welfare.