I hadn't been for about 15 years a while and it had got to the stage where I couldn't go because I hadn't been IFSWIM. But a bit of tooth fell off at the weekend, and I've spent the last two days with a bit of filling sticking straight out into my tongue, so couldn't talk or eat, was dreadful.
But, after ringing NHS 111 (turns out there's a one year waiting list to see a NHS dentist round here 
) I got an emergency appointment 45 minutes drive away, and he was lovely.
He didn't mind that I hadn't been regularly, drilled away the filling bit, and booked me in next week for a crown. Which will be less than a third of the price of getting it done privately locally.
And I'm going to be very brave and speak to his orthodontist about braces even though braces are a bit ridiculous at 44 because even though that will be around £3000, no-one has ever suggested making my teeth look nice before. (I may have cried a bit at that - turns out my self esteem is below optimal levels so I need to work on that too).
But, who knew, dentists aren't the scary types they used to be back in the 70s and 80s 
. And I might be able to have lovely teeth. (and I can start being a grown up who isn't pathetically terrified of the dentist)