Is it normal for NHS Dentists to refer you to a Hygenist?
Posted by DustyOnKbm@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 154 comments
I went to an NHS dentist recently because I had tooth pain. I hadn’t been to a dentist in about 3 years and, to be honest, my brushing/flossing habits haven’t been great.
The dentist said I need a filling (metal one under NHS Band 2 – £76.60). They also said I have quite a bit of plaque and gum inflammation, so they booked me in for a private hygienist appointment (£68) before they would do the filling.
They didn’t really offer an NHS scale & polish option, just said I needed the hygienist first before they could proceed.
I’ve been reading online and now I’m wondering, Could I have just had an NHS clean under Band 1/2 instead?
Some people say dentists push hygienist appointments too often, but in my case I’m not sure if it was genuinely needed or just “better care”.
baby_oopsie_daisy@reddit
Hygienist is definitely worth the money. Mine is £80 for 30 mins so £68 is really good.
A hygienist will provide a much more thorough clean and remove all the plaque compared to a quick scale and polish like a dentist used to do
Amazing-Heron-105@reddit
I know it's not purely cosmetic but do you notice any observable difference in your teeth?
Queasy-Airport2776@reddit
Removed tartar and plague means less irritated gums. Gums can recess over time which makes teeth fall out. Tartar and plague also increased cavity and cavity is bad because once you have it spread through your teeth.
Once your teeth falls out your jaw bone becomes weaker and thinner over time. More teeth loss means more bone loss.
Amazing-Heron-105@reddit
That's great but doesn't answer my question. I just wanted to know whether your teeth look better after
Isgortio@reddit
I do the teeth cleaning, there's always a massive improvement. Staining is gone, there aren't massive chunks of manky calculus sat on the teeth, the teeth are smooth, and the gums no longer look like angry red jellybeans that piss blood the moment anything touches them.
The breath doesn't smell awful anymore.
This is just the cosmetic side.
The rest of it is: gums that don't bleed, no gum swelling, gums aren't sore, it doesn't hurt to eat, gums aren't receding, bone support around the teeth isn't being lost, teeth aren't becoming loose, teeth aren't oozing yellow pus from under the gum, and bacteria linked to heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and type 2 diabetes are being killed and unable to spread further through the body.
Clean teeth isn't just a cosmetic thing, it's a way to look after your entire body.
juanwannagomate@reddit
Pure bollocks. How can you even write that out with a sane mind?
Isgortio@reddit
Periodontitis and diabetes
Periodontitis and Alzheimer's
Periodontitis and Parkinson's although it is a weak link.
Periodontitis and heart disease
Search those terms and you'll find many research papers on the topics.
Periodontitis is caused and exacerbated by gram negative bacteria that live under the gum and die when exposed to oxygen (oxygen is in the water when a cleaning is carried out). Treating periodontitis doesn't guarantee you won't get these conditions but it does reduce that particular risk factor.
juanwannagomate@reddit
Other than the top one, all the other studies are just correlation, as in people with heart disease are more likely to have gum disease.
You are abusing the science to extrapolate this to that having your mouth cleaned kills Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and heart disease, which none of the studies you linked states.
If you actually read the studies you linked, it says themselves in the limitations.
Correlation does not equal causation.
Isgortio@reddit
Those were just the top results I had when doing a Google search, I gave you the terms so you can search and do your own research on the topic.
I didn't say it kills the conditions, I've also clarified that, it kills the bacteria which they are finding may have links to the conditions.
A 13 year old study summing things up5 year old study
3 year old study that European periodontal guidance is based on
Dental guidance that we have to follow in the UK
Another perio site that references these conditions
There are more. It's good that you are reading them, but you can also look at many other systematic reviews.
Alzheimer's
I'm bored now but you can do your own searches. Obviously not all of it is fully proven, nothing in the world is, but there are strong correlations in some of these areas.
juanwannagomate@reddit
Once again, you have proven to not understand that correlation does not equal causation. None of your studies back up what you originally said, and even including ‘may’ is a stretch.
You are bored of having a quick Google of key terms + journal article and then using them to reply to me. Articles you don’t even read by the way.
I wish you could be bored of posting bollocks in the first place tbh.
Isgortio@reddit
Ok, I'll just forget everything I'm being taught by my university then. Them and the entire dental profession must be completely wrong because you say so.
juanwannagomate@reddit
You should get a refund if they’ve not taught you correlation does not equal causation. This is like saying ice cream sales cause sunburn because when ice cream sales go up, so do the number of sunburn cases.
Also, don’t flatter yourself by pretending the nonsense you believe in reflect the consensus of dental science. The papers that you link don’t even support what you are saying.
Isgortio@reddit
Not sure which bits you're stuck on but all of the resources I've provided you address the links between periodontitis and those conditions. What I haven't provided you is the way periodontitis is treated, and that's because that was partially covered by my initial comment when I was talking about the benefits of having teeth professionally cleaned by a hygienist.
I've provided you with enough references but for you that's still nonsense that I believe in, I will leave you to your own thoughts. Goodbye.
Selpmis@reddit
Calm yourself and read properly. They said it kills the bacteria, not the disease.
juanwannagomate@reddit
None of your studies say that. Literally none of your studies.
Do you actually believe that the biomarkers that are measured in the studies you linked are bacteria?
Do you think that haemoglobin or YKL-40 are bacteria?
You have proven to have no idea what you are talking about. No doubt you googled gum disease + disease and linked them to me in the hopes I wouldn’t read them.
I have read them thoroughly using my academic login and I can guarantee none of the authors would agree with what you are saying.
Selpmis@reddit
You are directing your response at the wrong person.
Selpmis@reddit
I don't have tartar build up or much staining so I don't notice any visible difference. My husband does and the visible difference is huge. So it really varies person to person. I think a lot of people would be surprised how much nicer their teeth look afterwards.
animesnail@reddit
If you have any discolouration/staining on your teeth, or visible plaque, then they will definitely look noticeably better after a scale and polish. They're worth getting even for the cosmetic benefit in my opinion — clean looking teeth go a long way towards your appearance.
stickyjam@reddit
Yes. Generally you'll see an improvement.
It'll depend on your diet, brushing , flossing, saliva levels, bacteria levels as to how regular you go and how much of an improvement but there will be non-zero improvements from schedules as frequent as 6 monthly.
baby_oopsie_daisy@reddit
Your teeth do look brighter. If you smoke it removes all the brown staining you get after years of puffing.
Also you'll never know how clean your teeth can feel until after a hygienist visit.
I've been going 3 years now. I didn't realise how bad my mouth felt until it felt better after regular hygienist visits and nightly flossing with interdental brushes. No more bleeding and itchy gums
Selpmis@reddit
Can I ask how long it took to stop your gums itching and bleeding after flossing/interdental brushes?
I'm very thorough when I clean and I'd love to be able to continue in that manner but I don't know if my gums bleed because I need to power through and continue flossing more or if it's because I take it too far and go overboard.
baby_oopsie_daisy@reddit
For me when I first went to the hygienist my gums were in a bad way as I never flossed and I was still smoking.
My hygienist booked me in every 3 months for about a year and gave me the correct sized interdental brushes. After about a month my gums had stopped bleeding and they haven't done since (about 3 years now) my gum scores improved (I was scoring 3s and 4s but now I'm a 1 around so gum disease has definitely improved) and I now only see the hygienist once for 30mins every 6 months.
I don't use floss tape/string only the brushes and always an electric toothbrush making sure I do the fronts, backs and biting edge of every tooth
Amylou789@reddit
My husband has what we thought was a badly colour matched cap on a front tooth...turns out it's just coffee stained and the hygienist removed the staining. You can't see the cap at all now.
viltes@reddit
Less stinky! My morning breath is completely odorless for the first month or so after a cleaning. Not that it’s horrid to begin with, but it’s always such a startling difference!
blue_peregrine@reddit
Mine are always visibly whiter after a hygienist appointment
AuramiteEX@reddit
Dude, go the Hygenist and stop being a gremlin. It's for your own good.
DangerousDisplay7664@reddit
That’s just not true. I haven’t been to hygienist in years. I go to my dentist every 12 months for a checkup and they always tell me my teeth look great and they’ll see me in another 12 months.
Unsoftened_Reality@reddit
Is it an NHS dentist?
juicyj9427@reddit
I’ve had a dentist tell me my teeth were great and then the hygienist tell me my gums were fucked (she was right)
Loxilight@reddit
My biggest flex is I went the hygienist having never seen one in 30 years and she told me my teeth and gum health were excellent and I didnt really need to come back
It was the adult equivalent of being given a sticker from the dentist 😂
CrabbyGremlin@reddit
Same. Dentist never mentioned anything but I had some inflammation on the gum line when I went to the hygienist. Dentist isn’t worth the time or money a lot of the time.
Isgortio@reddit
I've been agency dental nursing for 8 years and I'm about to finish uni as a dental therapist (one above a hygienist but one below a dentist). I've worked with so many dentists that do not care about gum health at all, and it is infuriating. I've been able to see and smell periodontitis on a patient from across the room and the dentist has told them their gums are perfect and they're doing great with their cleaning (they're not!).
Young dentists have bought practices and inherited a whole list of patients where the old dentist has never taken x-rays or accurately recorded gum health, and now they're seeing the patients they have to tread lightly as people see it as the new guy trying to make easy money when it's actually the previous guy was neglectful.
One of the biggest things patients are making complaints about at the moment is that they were not told they have issues with their gums, and they were never offered treatment for it. By the time the patient realises there's an issue, it's too late and the teeth can't be saved.
Hygienists specialise in gum health, dentists tend to focus on the teeth themselves even though they're supposed to look at everything.
SpaceCatSociety@reddit
I feel like dentists always just say teeth look great.
72dk72@reddit
I can second this . I have never seen a hygienist in over 50 years , but I do tell the dentist if they don't do it automatically,that a scale and polish is included in the NHS fee which is basically what a hygienist is there to do. Band 1 (£27.40): Check-ups, examination, diagnosis, X-rays, scaling/polishing, and preventative care like fluoride varnish.
Isgortio@reddit
Included if clinically necessary.
72dk72@reddit
Of they are telling me I need to see a hygienist, then it's clinically necessary. Otherwise, there is no reason to see a hygienist.
AuramiteEX@reddit
You have good dental hygine.
OP does not.
wulf357@reddit
So you're now saying you're wrong?
snowpeachmyeon@reddit
well op isnt you
KelpFox05@reddit
Easy to say that, a lot of people just can't. I have a dental phobia and it's a genuine struggle for me to go for a basic checkup once a year. Having to sit for a hygienist appointment would result in multiple panic attacks. I would have to be sedated.
AuramiteEX@reddit
So your solution is for him to have gross teeth that could lead to more problems?
KelpFox05@reddit
You have completely missed my point.
SOME. PEOPLE. CAN'T. GO.
Some people have dental phobias! Some people are busy and can't make the time! Some people can't afford it! 90% of the population has never gone to a hygienist and they're FINE! You do not need a hygienist, you just need to actually brush your teeth!
KingGeedo91@reddit
Have you done any work to get over your dental phobia?You should really be going to the dentist
KelpFox05@reddit
I go to the dentist for basic checkups but having somebody fucking around in my mouth for over an hour at a time is too much for me, even when supported by anxiety medication. I'm not sure what people are incapable of understanding about that.
Biene2019@reddit
My hygienist appointments are 15 minutes max. It's definitely not an hour if you go regularly. I understand where you're coming from, no one likes the dentist but it's better to go for 15 minutes painless annoyance than having drilling or tooth removals done.
Selpmis@reddit
You can't reason with people with phobias, that's why we also refer to them as 'irrational' fears.
My husband has a dentist phobia. I cannot persuade him to go through any amount of logic or reasoning despite him needing extensive work doing.
tone2tone@reddit
Absolutely untrue that brushing alone is fine. If you are not also flossing and using interdental brushes I guarantee your mouth and your breath are rank.
ClassicPart@reddit
So have you. Some people with dental phobias will have them as a direct result of not looking after their teeth so your little suggestion is a write-off.
sixfoottoblakai@reddit
Genuinely? What's so scary?
Rosekernow@reddit
I was ok with dentists til a bad experience at 13. I needed a tooth extracted; it shattered and broke following a fall where my face come off second best with a rock. The dentist shouted at me for having unhealthy teeth, saying if I’d taken care of it, it wouldn’t have broken. I replied that I’d fallen and pointed out the bruises on my face and the split lip; he reiterated that an healthy tooth wouldn’t break so it was my fault and I would loose the rest of my teeth because I was lazy. After injecting to numb it I could still feel everything and I told him so. He accused me of lying and said it was impossible; he then took the tooth out despite me screaming.
As a result, I’ve only ever been back to the dentist for emergency stuff since - an access and a wisdom tooth. Both times I was scolded for vomiting beforehand and told I was being awkward for panicking and asking to have someone in with me to hold my hand.
I can’t afford sedation or a therapist so I hope I’ll get through the rest of my life without needing one. I couldn’t go to a hygienist if you paid me, I’d be shaking and throwing up and then they’d yell at me again.
GarethGore@reddit
ngl out of the things to be scared of, I can see the dentist fear being pretty valid. As a kid I always hated the noises. As an adult I just suck it up and go
Trick-Chipmunk5164@reddit
It's a phobia, sometimes there's not always a rational reasoning behind it. You might have a traumatic incident at 5 years old and you're scarred for life. Something for this person to work through as oral hygiene is so important. I personally don't have a phobia of the dentist, but i have friends who do and i can never understand why they don't even brush twice a day (bare minimum) then every few years have intense fillings that require them to have traumatic painful treatments. It's an endless cycle lol.
AuramiteEX@reddit
He ran away because his feelings weren't as important as the actual health of someone and got upset about it.
sixfoottoblakai@reddit
I find the hygienist appointment almost fun as well, the clean teeth feeling afterwards is great!
KelpFox05@reddit
Somebody being up in my mouth, especially for as long as a hygienist appointment would take, the medical environment, the fact that it's a dentist... You don't have a dental phobia, do you?
AntagonisticAxolotl@reddit
It's an objective fact that regularly going to a hygienist is better for your health than not, that's why they exist. A phobia will make it harder to achieve, but it doesn't change that it's a good thing for everyone to do.
Eating vegetables and exercising is good for everyone to do, even if they have phobias of vegetables and the gym.
Queasy-Airport2776@reddit
Honestly I find it gets easier with time. If you don't go to the dentist you'll get all sorts of issues like really bad pain to the pain not being able to eat. Thinner jaw if teeth falls out, etc.
KelpFox05@reddit
Again, it's impossible. I would legitimately need to be sedated for somebody to be working on my mouth for that long. "It gets easier with time" does not apply when you have panic attacks just from being close to a dentist's office.
CrabbyGremlin@reddit
I use to have a phobia this debilitating, not about dentists but with crowds and being in close contact with people. It was awful and robbed me of years of my life and resulted in a relationship break down.
It took a while to find the right therapist but with that and medication I eventually did and with time I worked that and can now sit in a restaurant.
Extreme phobias can get better with the right help. Might be worth exploring if you haven’t already. Unfortunately even with good oral hygiene we all will eventually need to see a dentist, especially as we get older.
KelpFox05@reddit
I do not see this as something that needs fixing. I absolutely cannot afford a therapist right now and I can manage with anxiety medication for a basic checkup once a year but I cannot do a hygienist appointment with somebody having their hands in my mouth for an hour or longer.
Not everybody wants to, needs to, or can attend a hygienist appointment. That's the basic statement and if you disagree then you're just plain weird.
stickyjam@reddit
That doesn't make them weird, most people should have a regular hygienist appointment. the definition of regular varies from 6-24monthly, generally around yearly, but certainly not never, never would be more weird.
ListenFalse6689@reddit
To be fair they are asking if it's normal for NHS not to do it, not if they should get it done. I go for NHS check ups every 6 months and they always do a scale and polish for me there included in the price of the check up.
Ok_Victory_2977@reddit
Yes very normal you should be going to see a hygienist at least once a year if not twice, it's as important as the dentist tbh
Amazing-Heron-105@reddit
I've never even heard of the Hygienist or know anyone that goes once or twice a year. Is this common?
Nfjz26@reddit
If you Google it then yes you will find out it is very much standard dental practice to recommend seeing a dental hygienist twice a year as they can clean deeper in the gums than normal brushing.
However the nhs doesn’t cover this as it is preventative treatment so you are right most people in the U.K. don’t do it. No wonder the U.K. has such a terrible reputation for teeth…
Muted-Shower7965@reddit
Yeah I thought everyone went once or twice a year.
For me, my dentist says it’s because I have overcrowding and tartar builds up.
bluehobbs@reddit
That actually seems like a decent price for a hygienist too. Lot of dentists seem to be charging £80-100 these days
EmFan1999@reddit
Mine was 125 at one point, now it’s 90 so I’m guessing they weren’t getting many patients when it was that high
m07120495@reddit
Paid £95 in the South East last Thursday!
Whodeytim@reddit
I pay 38 a month for four hygienist and 2 checkups a year
CoconutBandita@reddit
NHS check up costs £27.40. it's rare for a private appointment to be more than double that, so say £110 for two.
You're then paying £346 for 4 hygienist visits or £86.50 a go. That doesn't really seem to be saving money compared to standard pricing and 4 is a lot of visits...
Whodeytim@reddit
My check ups are £68
CoconutBandita@reddit
Do you have extra teeth or something that justifies such a high price?
MoominMai@reddit
Yeah I’m at an NHS dentist and the hygienist has always been £75 or so. I always thought it was that high because I didn’t medically need it so I had to pay more but from OPs post it seems regardless of whether you’re referred or not, the cost is the same!
Rocksiex@reddit
I saw the hygienist this morning (NHS)I have periodontal disease so it's medically necessary. I paid £27.90, I do have to go every 6 months however.
DitzyJenny@reddit
You’re lucky. I also have periodontal disease and it’s hereditary and I’m “young” (41) and now have to see the PRIVATE hygienist every 3 months at £80 a time. I’m there tomo. The expense is awful. This is just the maintenance after paying £1000 to get it treated privately at my NHS dentist took one look and said nope you need to go private.
I still have my 6 monthly checks with NHS on top as well. Big sigh.
diamondthedegu1@reddit
Yeah I paid £70 today (West Midlands). I know those in the likes of London and other big city areas often have to pay more, £68 definitely isn't bad at all.
Queasy-Airport2776@reddit
I paid £80 but I know some in my area are cheap
mackerel_slapper@reddit
Depends if you want teeth or not. I suffer from gum disease (which in my case is caused by an over-active immune system, don’t know if that is all cases) and they made me start going. I started like you, inflammation. I went private and now just pay a monthly fee.
Basically, your inflamed gums mean your body is at war with your teeth, your jaw bone will recede and your teeth will fall out. If you fight the gum disease you can stop this, and the hygienist gives you a deep clean and tells you what’s what. I have to use a sonic toothbrush, brushes and an Aquapik to keep the inflammation at bay.
I have lost one tooth but kept it a while and the others are hanging in there.
Modern dentists try and keep your teeth in your head if they can, which is why hygienist are more widely used.
Acidphire21@reddit
this, mines down to genetics i have 2 places where ive inflamation and deep pockets despite as the hygentist says i have good technique
ive just changed to a water flosser so im hoping that helps but my nhs dentist says she will send me to the hygienist every 12 months, and i have to get check up and x-rays every 3mths :(
just grateful i managed to find a nhs dentist!
Isgortio@reddit
Check up and x-rays every 3 months? Maybe a check up, but that'd be if you have a high risk of dental decay. It should be every 3 months with the hygienist if you have pockets. These are the guidelines that they should be following. For the sake of your teeth, get the regular cleanings. Once a year is not enough for pockets.
Acidphire21@reddit
The 12 month deep clean by the hygienist is under recommendation of the dental hospital The pockets are slowly getting there Gone from 7 to 4 so I know im close
Isgortio@reddit
Interesting, I'm glad it's working for you though!
mackerel_slapper@reddit
Yes, mine says it’s genetics and just bad luck. The water flosser is great, still have to brush and use the coloured teepees though. The X rays will show if your bone is receding.
Acidphire21@reddit
see, my hygienist told me i didn't need to use the teepees if i use the water flosser im using both and going to ask the dentist when i next go
mackerel_slapper@reddit
My dentist is hot on the brushes, said the water flosser might help. I think the flosser is better but still use the brushes.
Cocomacadamia@reddit
Dentists don’t do much S&P anymore - that’s a hygienist’s job. They will do a S&P if clinically necessary, I mean really necessary, but other than that, it’s a hyg appt. Best to have that appt as well - you’ll regret it if you don’t.
thecheesycheeselover@reddit
Very normal, and a good thing to do regularly anyway.
TheGreenPangolin@reddit
Yeah it's normal and super annoying. Like I just confirmed I don't pay because I'm on universal credit, so you know I'm still skint and it's no more likely I'm going to drop the equivalent of 2 weeks of food on cleaning my teeth than it was when I was asked at my last check up.
But my own experience has been that saying "I can't afford a hygienist. Just do your best with whatever the NHS cover" gets you enough care to be getting on with. Sucks to have to say it though.
The hygienist is much better than an NHS scale and polish if you've got the money though. Helps gum disease and stuff. So if you have the money, don't argue it with them.
anti-sugar_dependant@reddit
I just told my NHS dentist I can't afford to see the hygenist. Dentist cleaned my teeth.
eivoooom@reddit
Try the hygienist, I went earlier this year for the first time and my teeth felt a lot better after.
Vequihellin@reddit
They always seem to be trying that. Technically band 1 NHS dental treatment can include a basic scale and polish 8f it's clinically necessary but they seem to keep pushing hygienist visits. I refuse to use them because they use those water picks or those sonic things and they are agony for me. Actual, searing, nerve shredding pain.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-much-nhs-dental-treatment-costs/
Queen_of_London@reddit
The NHS bands used to cover hygeinists, and now they don't. Not sure when it changed - it was over a year ago and less than four years ago.
This comment is going to dive to the bottom of the posts, but it is the actual reason why OP used to get this and now can't.
Isgortio@reddit
Yes. If you have a lot of build up, it could take half an hour to clean it plus they have to provide you with oral hygiene instructions to aid you in preventing the build up again. The dentist doesn't have time for that (nor are many of them any good at that, they have a lot of other things to think about!). The hygienist is the perfect person to do all of that. Hygienists don't often work under the NHS (it pays like crap, there's no NHS pension either) so it's common for it to be a private treatment.
The fee they're charging is actually very good, lots of practices are charging closer to the £100 mark for an appointment now (fees went up when they had to start hiring an extra nurse to work with the hygienist, whereas they used to get away with not having a nurse a few years ago).
In terms of needing the clean before you have the fillings, this is because your gums will be inflamed with the current build up which will make it difficult to keep the area clean and dry when placing the filling. The gums can also be swollen so they will not be able to fill the tooth as well as if the gums were happy and healthy. So it's always a good idea to focus on the gums before fixing the teeth (unless it's an emergency appointment).
BoysenberryTiny8138@reddit
If you haven’t experienced losing a tooth / tooth death - you want to avoid it, it’s one of the worst pains you can imagine, you will be in straight agony and pain killers won’t do shit
72dk72@reddit
Yes and you just say no thanks, but I do want a scale and polish from you as that's what is included in the NHS fee you have paid for.
badger906@reddit
You need a filling.. you need a hygienist lol. It’s like asking if it’s normal to take a broken car to a mechanic! if you can’t clean your teeth properly, then someone needs to do it for you.
Omega489@reddit
I felt the same going to my NHS dentist, but I actually get more time with the hygienist and it's really been helpful.
My dentist was primarily concerned about getting mt over due cavities filled and helping me get an NHS referral for my wisdom teeth. Basically the basics keep my teeth from falling out.
In my hygienist appointments she actually had the time to clean and buff my teeth. She sorted out the coffee stains on my front teeth and helped me with my gum issues. It's been a major benefit and my teeth have improved, but only by doing BOTH.
tamamamma@reddit
I thought I brushed my teeth pretty well till the hygienist got hold of me, showed me all my tea stains that I never saw. Felt brand new after. Well worth it. Paid around £75.
IlIIIllIIlIlllII@reddit
I've only recently started seeing a hygienist and recommend it
Had my teeth shining on a level I've never been able to get them to before
redheadedwildgypsy@reddit
My dentist always used to and I enjoyed the extra bit of tooth pampering. It was £25 but this was before covid. The hygienist has now moved so my dentist does the clean and polish himself. He's a good guy, does NHS work and tries to do it as cheaply as possible. Very ethical. Hard to find these days.
tiny-brit@reddit
All these dentist posts recently aren't giving me much confidence. I've been looking into trying to register with a dentist for the first time in my adult life (don't judge me, I know it's awful), and the first thing I'd be looking to get done is a scale & polish. I can't even find one clear price for that under NHS care, but all these comments with people paying upwards of £70 puts me right off, as I just can't afford that.
Affectionate-Youth21@reddit
I was thinking of joining too, haven’t been in about 20 years as I hate the dentist and didn’t have the best childhood so wasn’t regularly brushing - no excuse I know but I’m dreading going in and they say how bad it may be
stickyjam@reddit
the only way you're getting any care for dentistry under the NHS is if its mandatory work.
the check up and any mandatory work i.e. required fillings will get an NHS rate. MOST hygienist appointments will be done under their private rate.
tiny-brit@reddit
I do kind of need the scale and polish as I have some plaque built up, which is what's prompting me to want to get registered.
I saw dentists near me advertising that they were accepting new NHS patients, but that was a little while ago and I could be too late now.
Either way I can't afford private rates, so if that's what I need to pay then it won't be happening.
stickyjam@reddit
id get on the list anyway, you'll still get the check ups under NHS. If they feed you need something you'll get the NHS rate. If they just recommend it not need it , you'll be offered private rates. Or thats how my practice and other practices in this area work.
SnooHabits8484@reddit
I’m afraid you’ll really struggle to find a dentist taking on NHS patients.
ThrowawayParsnip5@reddit
I used to always go to both for years. My previous dentists would do my standard check-up and then remind me to book a further appointment with the hygienist.
Then I switched dentists to one closer to me, and he does the cleaning himself at my check-ups. And it's thorough. I feel/see no difference between what he does and what I'd get done at the hygienist. And it costs me like £12 or something.
Healthy_Spite_2334@reddit
yeah its normal to rip you off at the dentist.
Its like Kwit-fit for the mouth.
clovenheart1066@reddit
Yes it is.
I went on a plan so i could get my kids on their books - post covid and a good dentist - i get 2 hygenist apts and a check up each year and i'd never go back.
Theres no wondering if my teeth are ok. I know they are.
notemark@reddit
Mine pushed it for a bit and stopped doing the scale and polish at check-ups until I just cancelled and never re-booked the hygienist, now they do the scale and polish again.
I think I went to two before deciding I'm not paying three times the cost of a check up for what they used to do anyway and my dentist never mentioned it since and remarks my teeth are fine and healthy every six months.
ferris2@reddit
Everyone should go to the hygienist every 6 months or so.
Stableclose367@reddit
The “can’t afford it” line gets thrown out a lot which is completely understandable, but if you can’t afford an £80 check up every 6 months then go once a year, if you can’t afford £80 a year then go every 18 months, and so on, there’s no excuse for people to not have had something as important as their teeth checked for multiple years, look after yourself ffs people.
Annabelle_Sugarsweet@reddit
Yep, I always get a clean separately, saves money over time.
FilletOFishForMyVife@reddit
This is common now. NHS dentists aren’t doing the polishing and scaling that used to be done as part of a Band 1 check-up - they refer you to the hygenist, and ~£70 seems to be the going rate.
kitty-cat-charlotte@reddit
My dentist does this and I get my teeth done by the hygienist every year I believe. It’s about £50 per time but worth it. I also don’t believe the hygienist is on the NHS unless medically necessary so that’s why it’s a bit more. It’s not mandatory but you only get 1 set of teeth for life
Silver-Advance5276@reddit
Same happened to me except I had to pay £108 for the hygienest, seemingly was using some fancy technique 😏
Capable_Tip7815@reddit
My dentist referred me to the hygienist but as a treatment in betwixt check ups. I am perimenopausal and more prone to gum disease. Yay. And NHS Scotland are trying to move to annual check ups rather than biannual which is fucking stupid. Cost me £35.
Aware-Plankton-8711@reddit
Yeah in other words they’re telling you that you take poor care of your teeth sort it out now before you get more serious problems
jackiesear@reddit
It's about 40 years since a dentist has given me a scale and polish a part of a check up NHS or private
PigHillJimster@reddit
I have had an NHS dentist ask me on each occasion. They are trying to 'up-sell' you basically. They weren't forcing the issue.
Due_Comment4692@reddit
Double check and dig into nhs rules I’m sure there’s something that says if the dentist says you have to have a clean then it must come under your banding treatment but you have to read the nhs guidance and push as they won’t admit and prefer you to pay separately for this treatment
CrabbyGremlin@reddit
I skip the dentist entirely now and see the hygienist once a year. If I develop a specific tooth problem I’d visit the dentist but otherwise the hygienist seems to do more and saves me money.
Lunar_Raccoon@reddit
I am in the process of getting some cosmetic dental work done, my dentist said that I needed to see the hygienist first to ‘make sure we are starting with the cleanest possible surfaces first’. So in my limited experience it isn’t unusual. Your price is better than my hygienist though!
weaktreeiz@reddit
I would say no and its odd they don't offer all nhs services. My dentist usually gives me and option if I want like the fancier hygienist option or if I want the normal service,
GenoiseGentleman@reddit
My nhs dentist practice told me that an NHS hygiene appt only does the front teeth (canine to canine iirc) so that may be it!
Prudent-Pressure2146@reddit
I went to the dentist for the first time in years very recently and this was one of the first things they recommended and that was about the price I paid too. So, it doesn’t sound like a rip off to me anyway.
kittehkat22@reddit
Yeah it's very normal and part of maintaining gum health. Mine gets me in to see the hygienist at least once a year
ConsciousSky5968@reddit
If the dentist said you have loads of plaque and inflamed gums then seeing a hygienist is the best for your oral health. They are specifically trained to do scale and polishes and deep cleans. A dentist can do it but it won’t be anywhere near as good as a hygienist and obviously this dentist thinks you need it. £68 is cheap for a private appointment, it’s £85 for me.
Intruder313@reddit
Yes as it’s not a good use of their time to do a cleaning when there’s hygiene techs for this
That price is high though - periodontal cleaning is Band 2 so hopefully it’s full-on that
semorebunz@reddit
mine pushes hygiene appointment's , which i do wonder about as i get a hygiene done when on holiday in spain as its cheaper but i dont tell them , ive been told i need another within about 4-5 weeks which i find hard to believe
LJ161@reddit
Its £104 at my dentist 😭
NortonBurns@reddit
Since our local hygienist moved away maybe a decade ago, since then my dentist has always just done clean/scale themselves. If they did it as part of the same appointment as just an inspection then it's been band 1. If it was a separate appointment, then band 2.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Yes, a clean operation site makes their life easier. It helps minimise risk of infection as less bacteria. The gum infection can make dental work a lot more risky as sepsis is a risk.
MrMonkeyman79@reddit
Yes thats quite normal. Typically they recommend once or twice a year depending on the state of the teeth. Though I know a hygienist who says best practice would be every four months but they know thats not practical for most due to having to fit in appts and the cost so never actually suggest that to patients, so this isn't your dentist trying to rip you off.
£68 is also about right for a hygienist appt.
AnythingPeachy@reddit
I would imagine they'll do the filling without you going to the hygienist if you want but if you do need a clean then you should do that first because they'll be hacking at the filling otherwise. Hygienist has never been covered by the NHS, it's basically a deep clean of your tooth surfaces, all the dentist has ever done if a quick once around of the really bad east to reach areas.
farraigemeansthesea@reddit
I'd jump at the chance. Seriously, you're quibbling over less than 70 quid. Get real.
Bksudbjdua@reddit
I didn't think the NHS offered scale and polish
Key_Hearing5146@reddit
Yes, it’s fairly normal for NHS dentists to suggest a hygienist for gum issues before treatment, but they should still explain any NHS options and let you choose.
akwayah@reddit
Hygienists clean teeth all day, that's their focus so while a dentist can do the NHS clean, appointment times with them are shorter.
Hygienists can spend 30 mins giving you a full mouth clean, going under the gum line, around each tooth and still have time to polish after. They can also advise on best flossing practices for you specifically.
Also, not sure where you are but £68 is on the cheap side £100+ in London is common for standard full mouth clean.
loveswimmingpools@reddit
I had this at my dentist. It was great. She took a lot of care and it was well worth the price.
Timtamjam44@reddit
It's likely you needed the additional cleaning because you haven't been in so long (and you're not the best at cleaning). I don't think they would bother up charging you on something as straightforward as this.
I would more question if they are up charging you for a filling. I had one dentist tell me I needed a filling on my front tooth of even an implant. I then had two others saying no it was just discolouration.
Master-Leopard-7830@reddit
I'd recommend the hygienist, it's what they are trained for and will do a much better job at cleaning and advising you on brushing techniques, flossing etc.
I used to think a scale and polish was all part of your checkup, not realising it was because I wasn't cleaning my teeth properly.
My first dental appointment after seeing a hygienist (about 9 months later) they didn't give me a scale and polish and I was completely thrown, until they explained my teeth were so clean there was no need 🤦 I now see a hygienist once every 9 months(ish) and my dentist every two years.
Sapceghost1@reddit
It used to be, when I was younger the dentist did it all. Now, the dentist doesn't seem to do much at all.
WheresWalldough@reddit
The dentist wants to milk the NHS for maximum profit. They make money by quick work, e.g., a quick inspection and out the door. A hygienist visit is time-consuming. They pick and choose.
While in theory you might find a dentist who will do it for you on the NHS..... Good luck with that.
shoulditdothat@reddit
Our dentist advised both me & my partner go to the hygienist. I got it on NHS band 2 due to receding gums, other half had to pay for it privately.
We came to the conclusion that as the hygienist does mainly private work it was more due profit than clinical need.
TytoCwtch@reddit
A scale and polish on the NHS is not as good as a proper hygienist appointment. So if your plaque is that bad a hygienist probably is a much better option.
However, the other part is a bit more dependent on how they phrased it. They cannot say “we will only do the filling if you get a private hygienist”. But they can say “it’s not safe to do the filling until the gum condition is under control”. So it depends how they worded it and what exactly they’re saying.
ratscabs@reddit
This is exactly my own experience
dinkidoo7693@reddit
I didn’t have a dentist for a few years and got referred for a hygienist, they do so much more than the regular scale and polish so its definitely worth it this time round.
Capable_Piano832@reddit
It is not mandatory.
But performing surgery in an environment which has been professionally pre-cleaned is preferable for obvious reasons.
And if the issue is caused by plaque build-up, having one decreases the chances of reoccurrence.
PreoccupiedParrot@reddit
I've had a dentist say I needed a hygienist but they didn't have one on staff so I was kind of shit out of luck. Would have jumped at a referral, especially for a known price up front.
IrrelevantPiglet@reddit
I've had a normal scale and polish done after a much longer dental absence than you, but I also didn't need any fillings (somehow).
Everyone's mouth is different so I can't say for sure if the hygenist is warranted, but regular scale/polish can't clean up everything so it might be the best option for you.
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
If it's not something the offer then regardless of the NHS banding you can't have it with them.
Sounds like you genuinely need it, there's nothing stopping you shopping around
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