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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

At what age can kids go to dentist on their own?

36 replies

wonderstuff · 20/02/2023 15:50

Dd 15 has an appointment this week for check up, dentist is 10 min walk from her school, but about 45 min drive from my work. DH thinks we should send her on her own. I’m not sure… but really could do without taking time off. Dh has Covid atm, so can’t really send him..

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 15:51

Oh come on OP

Unless major drip feed coming - that’s odd

just a check up?

TheHopefulMum · 20/02/2023 15:51

Hi OP at 15 I'd have been comfortable going to the dentist alone for a check up and I'd also be comfortable sending my DC's at that age.

Is your DD comfortable going alone?

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 20/02/2023 15:51

At 15?? Of course she can go on her own.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

15 year olds Children's health Dental health Families

pizzaHeart · 20/02/2023 15:55

I think 15 is ok for a check up if she is ok with it herself. Are there any serious issues to discuss?

Original poster

wonderstuff · 20/02/2023 15:57

It just didn’t occur to me that it was an option until dh said. She would rather I was there, she’s quite shy, but I think she’d be okay. She’s on the waiting list for some significant orthodontics, but this is just a check up. I don’t think I went on my own to the dentist until I started uni 😂

OP posts:

gogohmm · 20/02/2023 15:58

From around 12 it's fine unless there's mitigating factors

Original poster

wonderstuff · 20/02/2023 16:06

Thanks all, I grew up in the middle of nowhere and so needed to be driven to any appointments until I left home, quite different when kids can get about under their own steam!

OP posts:

EdHelpPls · 20/02/2023 16:12

I had to attend with mine til 16! She also would not have been allowed to leave school grounds during school hours unless an adult picking her up (AS/A Level didn't need that)

Tittyfilarious81 · 20/02/2023 16:15

My DS was only allowed to attend without an adult at 16 before that I had to go with him . Check with your dentist if she can attend on her own .

louise5754 · 20/02/2023 16:20

I don't know why people are being funny.

Would you say the same if it was a dr appointment?

Cornelious2011 · 20/02/2023 16:33

At 15 they can surely go for a check up. Do they do anything independently?

ItsAllSoComplicated · 20/02/2023 16:35

Would the dentist want her there if your DH has covid?
Mine still ask if I’ve been in contact with anyone covid positive.

It might be worth a check before sending her alone.

shinynewapple22 · 20/02/2023 16:39

I think you need to check both with your dentist and with DD's school as to whether dentist needs adult signature and whether school will let her out of lessons without adult n collecting.

Original poster

wonderstuff · 20/02/2023 16:44

I’ve emailed to dentist to ask. I’m not concerned about dh having Covid, hospital now only ask about personal symptoms, why would dentist be different? I’ll look at school policy too..

OP posts:

HazyDragon · 20/02/2023 16:45

Not sure why people are being so condescending?

I would check with the dentist. As most dentists work with a nurse I would assume it's fine, but I'm not sure if a dentist working alone would as no one to chaperone.

spacechimp79 · 20/02/2023 16:46

My DS is allowed in on his own now he is 16 but the dentist required me to be in the room with him before that. Not sure whether it's a safeguarding rule or just the rule at my practice.

FannyFifer · 20/02/2023 16:46

My 13 year old goes herself to orthodontist.

Original poster

wonderstuff · 20/02/2023 16:46

Dentist just replied, she will need an adult with her. Over 16 can go independently.

OP posts:

TomatoSandwiches · 20/02/2023 16:47

wonderstuff · 20/02/2023 16:44

I’ve emailed to dentist to ask. I’m not concerned about dh having Covid, hospital now only ask about personal symptoms, why would dentist be different? I’ll look at school policy too..

My DS (15) goes to his check ups alone, but I go when there is treatment, however his dentist and orthodontist still ask if anyone in the family home has covid and or symptoms.

trampoline123 · 20/02/2023 16:53

Whatever you both feel comfortable with.

Whendidigetsoold · 20/02/2023 16:56

If it's NHS then they need an adult with them until 16. Then they can give their own consent.

Oopswediditagain2023 · 20/02/2023 16:56

My mum is friends with my old dentist so she always came in with me for a chat with him whilst I was getting my teeth done 😂
I agree with PP that you need to check if they're ok to go in on their own. In principle, my current dentist lets kids in on their own from 6ish whilst the parent waits in the waiting room (usually with younger kids and babies in tow!) but the parent would need to be "on site" until they're 16 in case they had to do something like a tooth extraction there and then. Obviously this is rare! But that's just his policy.

littleducks · 20/02/2023 16:56

My dentist saw my 16 year old alone, bit with my 14 year old I have to attend practice to sign forms they wouldn't see him unless I'm onsite but I don't have to go into the room each time

BabsDylan · 20/02/2023 16:57

I think the parent has to be there til 16 to sign the forms (if NHS).

Seainasive · 20/02/2023 17:00

DP sent DS 14 on his own without thinking about it very much. It’s just round the corner after all. Dentist was able to do a check up only, but couldn’t do the X Ray or the fluoride treatment he needed as parental consent was required for that.

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