Just how important is the hygienist?

[Gearedtoyou]

I get asked to go at every six monthly checkup. I have an NHS dentist but you can't get the hygienist on the NHS. I had been paying £50 pre lockdown, but I've just been told it's now £89!

Years ago, the dentist used to give them a bit of a scrape and polish (I think that's what they called it?!) as part of the check up. Not as thorough as the hygienist, but seemed to keep things in order. Is it the case that no dentists do this as part of the check up now?

There must be loads of people, entitled to free NHS treatment, for whom £90 twice a year is just out of the question. Do they just not get it done?

I have an insurance thing for dental treatment but the hygienist isn't covered in that either.

My teeth do need doing currently, I haven't been since the week before the first lockdown, but seriously considering moving to every other year going forward.

Since I started having the hygienist every six months I never need any dental work done, my teeth are in great condition and I’ve followed their tips for how to optimise brushing etc which has really helped too. I find my teeth look whiter now.

I've never had anything done to my teeth. 50s with no fillings. In recent years I've had check ups and seen the hygienist regularly, but there was a decade or more after I left home when I didn't go to the dentist at all!

In fact I sometimes wonder if that time saved me from a lot of the unecessary work some dentists seemed to do in the 80s and 90s

I’m interested in the answer to this too!

On the same note, I’ve never really understood the pricing system at dentists.
I went for a general checkup at an NHS dentist yesterday, and it was about £80, and they said that fillings are £180 each.
My DH goes to the same practice, and he paid £62 for a checkup inc filling!
I’ve no idea why they’re charging me as being a private patient - have emailed to ask.

I have never been to the hygienist. I’m 39, also no fillings or had any other dental work done. I’ve never been told to go/offered the service?

£90 here too, I've been going every four months for a year now and my teeth are definitely much whiter and healthier. Health inequality here we come.... (or here we are....)

I think it's important to go at least once a year. If you employ rigorous teeth cleaning normally it may not be necessary to go more than this. I use a sonic toothbrush, interdental brushes, floss and an "interspace" brush for around my gumline to catch the random bits of plaque that a toothbrush can't always reach, as well as occasionally oil pulling with coconut oil (I strongly believe this helps remove bacteria as it is antibacterial and it is great for my gum health). The dentist usually says "have you just had them cleaned" and I ask if I need to pay for a hygenist appointment and they say "in a few months' despite it being almost a year since my last appointment. I would highly recommend this routine for anyone else worried about it. Do it all when in the shower or bath and you notice it less.

I haven't been to a hygienist for years, though my practice has one. DH goes pretty regularly though and moans about the cost. My dentist is great though, she will do a quick scale and polish/x-rays as necessary on the standard NHS treatment. Plus when I had a wisdom tooth extraction she filled a small cavity on the adjacent tooth with white filling - all included in the same NHS treatment.
I am fanatic about looking after my teeth though.

I pay about £90 and go every 6 months. I also remember when NHS dentists used to do a scale and polish as standard but then stopped.

I find that it is definitely worth it. Expensive though but as I get older I prioritise my teeth over other things (but I appreciate that I can afford to do this - it’s unfair that NHS patients don’t always get the same level of care).

If you decide not to go, stick with the flossing!!

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