You know you’re an adult when the highlight of your week is going to the dentist.
But you know you’re truly an adult when you book your dentist appointment slap bang in the middle of the working day because you’d rather have your teeth pulled at than attend another pointless meeting.
If, like me, you’ve had the same dentist since you were a child (and feel bad about not inviting them to your wedding) and your dentist is NHS … then you’ll find yourself in an unexpectedly privileged club.
In today’s world, getting an NHS dentist – if you’re not already signed up – is about as likely as getting up at 6am on the weekend to workout, be productive and stay hydrated…like I said I would.
Take my husband, for example, who resorted to being conned by a private dentist into buying a ridiculously expensive retainer – which he successfully sneezed across the room on the first night he wore it.
Luckily for my husband, he has a wife in high places. And by high places I mean that I am practically a Miss Marple character; I’ve lived in the same town all of my life and make a predictable, yet dramatic, annual appearance at the dentist.
I can get you in, I whispered. My husband’s eyes lit up. World peace would be my preferred superpower but I’ll settle for dental privileges.
It was at this point that I realised I am officially responsible. In your 20s, you get a thrill from getting your friends into the nightclub. In your 30s, enjoyment comes from getting your loved ones an appointment at the medical centre.
You will be pleased to know that my husband’s appointment went so well that he’ll certainly be going back next year.
Now if you don’t mind me, I’m off to have a think about what other life admin tasks I can impress my husband with.
The Life Crisis 
Welcome to the About-to-Become-Old-Fogeys-but-Still-Feel-and-Act-Like-Ten-Year-Olds Club! I’m President! You can’t get in unless you give me bubble gum!…
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I still go to the same dentist’s office I went to in the 1960’s, although my original dentist died long ago. We have a win-win deal. I pay about $40 a month for a plan where I can have up to three cleanings a year for free. They get quite a bit of money for doing nothing and I feel like I am taking care of my teeth even though I rarely go once a year.
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*buys bubble gum x
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I have had many different dentists , all NHS and the best have always been at the top of narrow old buildings with numerous flights of stairs! I was relieved after Covid to find I could still get an appointment even though my nice dentist had gone to South America. The new one is just as good, especially as he discusses first while you’re still sitting upright with your mouth closed!
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