Another dentist one... Why should we go?

[picklemepopcorn]

So, I routinely go to the dentist, get complimented on the cleanliness of my teeth, but still seem to need work, especially every time I get a new dentist. I'm booked in for a replacement filling and a crown on a root canal.

DH thinks we shouldn't go at all, unless we have pain. He reckons they 'find stuff to do'. He doesn't think the treatments and interventions are helpful preventatively speaking.

A friend and her husband don't go at all.

Are they all BU?

I had a tooth that felt weird so I kept moving it and it eventually came out It wasn't pleasant

I like the sound of fissure seals! I'm never anything but cooperative with the dentist, Mrs Morton, I just wonder why I do everything right but have problems. I wonder if no one was looking, there might be nothing to see! Especially as all except one of the treatments I have had have been at the point of seeing a new dentist. I have no objection to the work done on the hurty tooth at all, obviously!

You don't have to go every six months. My dentist doesn't expect it.
Last time I went he said "you're fine, you don't need us. Come back for a check up in five years"

So, why do Australian dentists routinely do this sealing thing of back teeth and Uk not?
Sounds good idea. Is there a catch?

My daughter had fissure sealant done on her molars and the dentist says he will do the same for my son when he is older. Is it not standard?

It depends, there's no one size fits all for dentistry. If you're prone to decay between the teeth then they won't help. They need monitoring and maintenance otherwise they can contribute to decay by creating rough surfaces. There's an evidence base for this, an easy to read document called "delivering better oral health" is a good place to start if you're actually interested.