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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

When did you take baby to the dentist for the first time?

39 replies

trrk · 23/05/2023 09:01

Just wondering when people typically take their baby to the dentist for the first time? It’s pretty much impossible to find a dentist taking NHS patients (even for children) around here so it will be private when we do go.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Picklewicklepickle · 23/05/2023 12:07

My dentist and my children’s dentist (can’t get them into mine) both said about 2.

CoalCraft · 23/05/2023 12:09

In both cases, before they had any teeth! I was going anyway so took them along to be looked at. Consistently every 6 months after that

SquigglePigs · 23/05/2023 12:09

We happened to have checkups when DD was about 13 months so the dentist had a quick look then.

Then covid happened so she next went at just turned 4 but luckily no issues. Now on 6 monthly checkups with us.

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Jk987 · 23/05/2023 12:12

trrk · 23/05/2023 09:51

Thanks all. I would like to take her before one but £35 seems a lot if all they will do is just a quick look in their mouth. I will see if my dentist will check her over when I go for mine. I have to admit I don't go every 6 months as I just can't afford it. Would be nice if free NHS dentisty for children at least was actually available! Of course I will take her srtaight away if there is any problem.

I thought under 16s were free on the NHS?

Original poster

trrk · 23/05/2023 12:16

Jk987 · 23/05/2023 12:12

I thought under 16s were free on the NHS?

Show quote history

They are if you can actually find an NHS dentist but none around here are taking new NHS patients, even children. Obviously a crap system since there is a postcode lottery as to whether you can find an NHS dentist and some kids will miss out if their parents can’t afford to go private.

OP posts:

ICMB · 23/05/2023 12:20

First time will be on Friday and he is 9 months

Hannahthepink · 23/05/2023 12:27

My dentist won't let children under 3 even register to have their own check ups. You could book privately before then if you wanted to, but they said that there was very little need before three.
I would continue taking them to your own appointments, the dentist can have a quick look, then make actual check-up appointments when they're a bit older.

FrenchTrellis · 23/05/2023 16:15

Didn't take my older DC until 4 due to COVID/lack of NHS dentists. My private dentist has taken them on as an NHS patient there though, and he said they basically just count teeth at that age. When I last went they registered my 3 month old as an NHS patient too.

Spottypineapple · 23/05/2023 21:01

@trrk you don't necessarily need an NHS dentist for children.

My dentist is private (I didn't realize when I rang them) but do take women with maternity expemptions, and children. I just changed to a private patient on their books when my exemption ended, but DD has been registered with them since 6mo and I don't pay for her check ups.

So it's worth ringing around!

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 23/05/2023 21:16

Like others mine just sat on my knee from an early age whilst I was having my check ups.

Chukkachick · 24/05/2023 08:16

trrk · 23/05/2023 12:16

Show quote history

Our practice policy is that if parents are private with us we will see their children NHS. Could be worth asking either your current practice or asking around if you’re prepared to move.

even the tighter dentists I’ve come across will usually do a quick nhs exam on small children as they get paid the same by the nhs as an adult checkup, and it’s usually super quick.

flipside is you get paid the same for treatment on kids as adults and as you can imagine, treatment takes a lot longer and they’re a lot less well behaved!

AndrexPuppy · 24/05/2023 08:21

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 23/05/2023 09:17

6 months old. They came with me when I had a check up and the dentist got her used to sitting on my lap in the chair, looking in her mouth etc...... it obviously wasn't a proper check up, but more to get used to the sights and sounds of the Dentist. She is now 6 and no issues or fears at the dentist at all.

This. Ours all came in with me to get used to being in the dentist. The dentist also ran their gloved hands over their gums a couple of time to get them used to that experience. They were first an actual patient in the chair when they were around 2 years old.

Fandabedodgy · 24/05/2023 08:24

Not till they were toddlers - age 2/3

Dipsydoodlenoodle · 24/05/2023 21:42

She was about 10 months.

She did have an appointment for 7/8 months but I cancelled as her teeth hadn't come in (I'd picked that time on recommendation from my dentist), the next appointment was about 10 months old.

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