Well, it appears that I am off my trolley.

The dentist only refers people "when the patient or the guardian requests it" (doh! what happened to professional advice? Anyway, I did request it!)

I requested the referral in 2005, but she warned me there was a 14 month delay. (I know maths is not my strongest subject, but I've run out of fingers and toes here...)

She could not refer my d because she was not cleaning her teeth well enough (but she did refer her, and it was only at the last check up that she actually told my daughter that she needed to improve her teeth cleaning in order to qualify for orthodontic treatment...)

No she did not tell me we had failed to attend an appointment, she merely asked whether such a thing could have happened and might be the reason why I had such a long wait and I must have got the wrong end of the stick. (Funny how she actually was quite accusing and how my d. remembers the same conversation as I do!)

No she did not say it was minor cosmetic treament, the letter of referral was a standard one saying it was non-urgent. (it is urgent)

The orthodontist is entitled to his opinion but she knows better.

However, she will refer my d. to a clinic for the extractions. Something resembling an apology might have won me round as I'm not a vindictive person. What Mrs - sorry Dr - Dentist (she's always been Mrs until now, but today has become a Dr.) has earned herself with this afternoon's little display of self-justification is a formal complaint to the Health Authority.

Jane, thanks for the idea about ice cream - that's a good one!