If I pay private for a hygienist appointment

[User6557]

Will I be taken off records at my nhs dentist. My dentist doesn’t have any hygienist appointments now for a number of months. I’ve not been able to go to the dentist for about 20 months due to the lockdown etc. I know have early stage hun disease by the looks of things so really need my teeth cleaning ASAP.

Gum I meant

Not at my dentist. I have an NHS dentist but pay for the hygienist.

How would they know?

Not at my dentist either. My dentist does both private and NHS patients (I'm NHS) but the hygienists services are private.

Yes it is private at mine but their hygienist is very part time so there are only a couple of appointments a week.

I didn't realise you can see a hygienist on the NHS. I see an NHS dentist, but a private hygenist, never been offered an NHS one.

My nhs dentist is 30 miles away so I asked if I could see a local hygienist and he said it was fine.

Yes, you can. What you're looking for is a 'direct access hygiene appointment' not all hygienists will offer them as the rules are slightly different. My hygienist (I'm a dentist) will ask you to sign a form to say you understand she's not a dentist and that a full check up with a dentist is still recommended. I have some patients who see alternative hygienists either as they prefer them or its more convenient. It's not an issue.