Dental check-ups.

[windywillow]

Can you choose how often you go for a check-up?

I used to go once a year to my old dentist and this continued for many years (at his recommendation) because there was never anything wrong.

I've moved to another part of the country, my new dentist says it's not their policy to see patients once a year and I need to go every six months.

She said she's never heard of a dentist that gives a check-up yearly, so it is obviously unusual, but is it my choice?

[Traci66]

My dentist had me going for a check up on an eighteen month rota, then last year they changed it to six months, no work is ever needed (touch wood ), so I don't know why they suddenly switched to six months.

[yogasun]

It always used to be once a year at our dentists (unless you had problems) and it seemed to change in the last 10 years or so. I remember reading that some dentists say 6 monthly check ups are not necessary for people with generally good teeth.
If they send an appointment that's 6 monthly just put it off for a few months.
Don't think they can insist. Someone else may know.

[tonyav]

Mine is every six months as well, I think that is the norm these days.

[237SJ]

I presume it`s down to the policy at your dentist. I moved away from my dentist many years ago but am still with them (NHS). The norm there is for a yearly check up. I missed it last year and went this year which was the first time in two years.

[HowardKennitby]

My (private) dentist has a six month default but if your teeth are good it gets reduced to 12.

[woofgang]

The nhs website says up to two years for nhs patients.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHS...aq-best-practice.aspx

If you are with a private dentist, then it's up to the dentist, he/ she will have terms for your being their patient and it's take it or leave it. My own private dentist's default is 6 months but a couple of times I have gone to a year for pressing reasons and he hasn't minded.

[EcclesCake]

I'm private and my dentist and I have settled on an annual check up. This makes perfect sense to me as I have had no remedial work done on my teeth for over 20yrs.

[furrypusscat]

I go every 6 months (NHS). I believe you have to go at least once in two years to stay as an NHS patient within the chosen practice otherwise your place can be offered to someone else if there is a waiting list.

[Euphemia]

My husband and i get six-monthly check-ups (2 different practices). I had a check-up and cleaning session inserted before undergoing chemotherapy as is recommended. Recently I had a check-up after three months before undergoing radiotherapy. My practice does NHS and private work.

[windywillow]

Thanks for replies all.

[squarebear]

I only go when my teeth hurt. In a similar way, I only visit the doctor when I feel ill.

[boxtops]

we go six-monthly

[sherrardk]

My children go once every six months to see the dentist and once every six months to see the hygienist for fluoride treatment. So they end up going every three months, we get 50 minutes worth of appointment each time and only use 10 minutes tops, bit of a waste of their time in my opinion.

[mazzywoo]

Hi Windywillow
I was wondering exactly the same thing. I get a recall every 6 months (nhs) but I am going to ask if I can go yearly (I have an appointment on Wednesday). I rarely need treatment so I think it will be a fair request-of course, it could be their policy to do 6 monthly checks.
Best wishes
Maz

[boxtops]

ours do the 6 months from the end of any previous treatment. I didn't need any last time so appt next week is 6 months ahead of the previous one. OH saw the dentist in March, needed treatment (appts over 2 months) so his next one was October.

[Ann]

We usually ignore the 6 monthly reminder which comes in via a text message to our mobiles (very irritating, we have told them not to, but still they come in!) We only go when we feel the need to, as it's just a money spinning ruse, it costs about £15 every time you go for just a check up and they must get a cut out of that. Interesting to read that you are allowed to wait for 2 years........

[windywillow]

Thanks for replies all.

[boxtops]

£15, ann - you're lucky, our dentist charges £40 to look at you, but there are no NHS dentists round here.

[windywillow]

I'm thinking the same thing, Ann. I paid my £17.90 (NHS) which is no doubt heavily subsidised, but even so....