does anyone not ever go to the dentist?

[RobynLou]

I don't have a phobia, just no money
I went when I had my free maternity card thing.
I've read threads about taking Lo's along with you to the dentist to get them used to it, but what do you do if you don't go?
it seems like everyone else in the world goes religiously every 6 months, please tell me thats not true?

It's OK, I've been here 15 years.

can someone clarify exactly what is free if you have a baby under a year old - have heard of others in same position as me getting charged for work...

bodenbore....I know that feeling well!

bodenbore "If you are pregnant, or you have had a baby in the last 12 months, you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions. You are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment providing that you start a course of treatment while pregnant, or during the 12 months after giving birth."

from the nhs website

maybe they had work done privately?

It's complicated. IIRC, you only get what's necessary under the NHS (fillings/root canal/check ups)

right I had better book in - does an nhs dentist have to take me??

It wouldn't cost £9.50 a month though, just about £15 for a checkup, assuming you need no work done, could you have one done every year and just put £1 or so away a month for it?

sorry, that was to OP...£9.50 a month is for an insurance plan I am assuming, not as an NHS patient.

No, I only go when absolutely necessary because I have to go private after the NHS dentists almost screwed two of my molars up a few years ago.

I've invested in a sonic toothbrush (far superior to the simple electric ones) and a water pic. I brush my teeth three times a day and use the water pic last thing at night -you feel like you've been to see the dental hygienist after you've used the water pic My teeth have been fine for a few years thanks to these precautions.

What's a water pic?