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Original poster

To think dentists just count teeth at an nhs checkup?

58 replies

Oucht · 12/12/2023 09:28

After the checkup I had yesterday - told something was looking ok just for the pain to become agonising during the day.. it got me thinking that NHS checkup is merely counting teeth. Is that the same for everyone who has an NHS dentist?

The teeth are not checked for problems unless you mention them. I said an old filling was catching food.. turns out the tooth next to it needs a filling.

The one that's hurting at the back.. second in molar.. is next to a large filling where I have bone loss which has always been a bit achey.. dentist said that all looked fine.. pain got worse.. now I'm having to go back tomorrow because when I look with a mirror at the back of my tooth it has a big crack through it.

OP posts:
Mukey · 12/12/2023 09:35

I work at an NHS dentist (I am not a dentist though) and it is not like this. You may well just have a crap dentist. There are lots around unfortunately.
Just an FYI though when they say numbers during the check up they're not actually counting them, each tooth has a specific number. Dentists tend to only "count" children's teeth as a way to make it easier for them to understand what's happening. (Weirdly though baby teeth are charted as letters not numbers)

Original poster
Oucht · 12/12/2023 09:38

Thanks. Maybe it is just mine then. They do that check where they read out the teeth numbers, ask if there are any problems and if you say no that's it, out the door.
I feel a bit stupid that my low level toothache wasn't enough for me to make them look properly yesterday but had to phone up again today where it has got much worse and there is a crack that my dentist did not see which I will hopefully get them to see tomorrow.

OP posts:
CurlsLDN · 12/12/2023 09:38

That’s not my experience, had my checkup last week.

the dentist looked thoroughly at each tooth, and called out a report on each one to the assistant (sorry, I don’t know their actual job title)

she took X-rays as an annual check on the position of my wisdom teeth and to see if anything else was picked up that way

she checked my tongue with her fingers, presumably checking for lumps

she then gave them all a clean with the water gun thing

she also noticed a small bone issue inside my gum which we discussed and decided didn’t need any further action for now, but she documented it to keep an eye on

I feel like she’s very thorough and I’m satisfied that my mouth has been fully checked over

Tacotortoise · 12/12/2023 09:41

My last nhs dentist was so cursory, esp with the kids, that I moved us all to a private practise that does kids on the nhs (dh and I pay). Costs a small fortune but yeah, at least they spend more than 5 seconds looking in your mouth.

2chocolateoranges · 12/12/2023 09:44

Mine records the teeth as I can hear her saying the number and the dental assistant inputting it into the computer, She also checks my gums and the fillings I already have and cleans any plaque thats occurring in hard to reach places.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/12/2023 09:44

They used to do a scale and polish at a check up. Thats stopped now.

KimberleyClark · 12/12/2023 09:44

I have an NHS dentist. It’s not like this. Last check up he noted a filling needed re doing. He also does the scale and polish as they don’t employ a hygienist.

Deliasdelilahs · 12/12/2023 09:44

Didn't they take x rays? My dentist is much the same (except not counting teeth measuring gum pockets I think) but always does an x Ray, which is just as well as my teeth seem to go rotten from the inside out not the outside in, so they can see on an x Ray but not with their eyes

CrunchyCarrot · 12/12/2023 09:45

So no X-ray? That should happen if you have pain because not all decay or problems show up just by an examination.

yarnwitch · 12/12/2023 09:46

Mine just count teeth too now, it seems to have been like this since Covid. Literally in and out in under a minute. They used to be more thorough and remove tartar etc, they don't even do that now they tell you to go to the hygienist.
I have had a few minor issues and they don't seem interested unless it's upselling cosmetic work. Most recently I had a potentially more serious issue that needed referring on, but I had to flag it up as there was no mouth check at all so wasn't seen.

Finteq · 12/12/2023 09:47

I would expect then to- ask if you've had any problems with anybteeth- spend more time checking those teeth.

Then they check the teeth/ gums. Tell you if they see any problems- tell you about any treatment they might need- a quick scale and polish??

Original poster
Oucht · 12/12/2023 09:47

CurlsLDN · 12/12/2023 09:38

That’s not my experience, had my checkup last week.

the dentist looked thoroughly at each tooth, and called out a report on each one to the assistant (sorry, I don’t know their actual job title)

she took X-rays as an annual check on the position of my wisdom teeth and to see if anything else was picked up that way

she checked my tongue with her fingers, presumably checking for lumps

she then gave them all a clean with the water gun thing

she also noticed a small bone issue inside my gum which we discussed and decided didn’t need any further action for now, but she documented it to keep an eye on

I feel like she’s very thorough and I’m satisfied that my mouth has been fully checked over

That's how it should be. I didn't get x-rays or anything. It's like I have to find the problem and tell them what it is for them to even look.
Know this is going to end up being another extraction.. the last time they did one for me it took 1hr45mins of digging in my face before they admitted defeat and I had to go home with 4 roots showing to wait 3 weeks to see their oral surgeon to remove them at a cost of £600.

I barely have any teeth left at this point and I'm only 40. I have 9 teeth left on the bottom, no back teeth at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oucht · 12/12/2023 09:50

Finteq · 12/12/2023 09:47

I would expect then to- ask if you've had any problems with anybteeth- spend more time checking those teeth.

Then they check the teeth/ gums. Tell you if they see any problems- tell you about any treatment they might need- a quick scale and polish??

I mentioned one filling that was catching food, she looked at that and said I need a filling on the tooth beside it.
I said I am still get aches on the top left where the large filling is, she looked and said the filling looks fine.
Pain got worse yesterday and I have had a look at the back and there's a big crack.. tooth that was above 3 I had pulled last year because they had cracked.

OP posts:
Finteq · 12/12/2023 09:51

Oucht · 12/12/2023 09:50

I mentioned one filling that was catching food, she looked at that and said I need a filling on the tooth beside it.
I said I am still get aches on the top left where the large filling is, she looked and said the filling looks fine.
Pain got worse yesterday and I have had a look at the back and there's a big crack.. tooth that was above 3 I had pulled last year because they had cracked.

Show quote history

That sounds crap.

I would change dentist if you can - but it's really difficult at the moment.

GoonDog · 12/12/2023 09:55

I feel like I'm being cheated, if mentioned above is what some people get for a service.
Mine is a 5 minute appointment, if that. Stick a sharp instrument into my gums and teeth and off I go. They refuse to do any scale and polish, or anything else listed in the 1st treatment category. I have to pay £70 for the hygienist. I go twice a year.

Original poster
Oucht · 12/12/2023 09:57

If money was no object I would find a private one but even those around here are not taking on new patients. I know I am lucky to have an NHS one but it just seems slap dash, get in and get out.

I think it's my fault though. I didn't ask them to look properly around there as it was just my normal pain levels yesterday morning. It was the afternoon where it started to throb.

OP posts:
Vinrouge4 · 12/12/2023 09:58

I think it depends on the dentist. My NHS one is very thorough even to the point of checking for oral cancer and always makes a point of asking if I have any problems.

Original poster
Oucht · 12/12/2023 09:58

GoonDog · 12/12/2023 09:55

I feel like I'm being cheated, if mentioned above is what some people get for a service.
Mine is a 5 minute appointment, if that. Stick a sharp instrument into my gums and teeth and off I go. They refuse to do any scale and polish, or anything else listed in the 1st treatment category. I have to pay £70 for the hygienist. I go twice a year.

That is exactly what mine is like. Teeth are there, check, gums poked, check, any problems? have a quick glance but nothing more.

Why did my pain have to get worse the same day? Why not the day before? I would have looked myself and could have told her it's cracked.

OP posts:
Usernameundiscovered · 12/12/2023 10:03

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/12/2023 09:44

They used to do a scale and polish at a check up. Thats stopped now.

I've noticed this too. I've had the misfortune of needing to move dentist 3 times In as many years when each one has gone private, and none of them did a scale and polish.

SarahShorty · 12/12/2023 10:06

It does seem like they only count teeth, but that's not what they're doing. They look at each tooth and declare the status of them to their assistant who'll be typing up information in your patient record. This is true whether NHS or private. They do check the teeth over and if there is something not quite right, they'll tell you and talk about a course of action and a treatment plan. Also, depending on your individual case, they'll give you an x-ray to check for things that aren't outwardly visible. Some examinations do seem too fast and in such it can feel like they're not doing a thorough job, but they really are.

emmylousings · 12/12/2023 10:14

Yeah its crap now, last time I took DS (12) he was in and out by the time I'd finished parking. Even he thought it was a joke and asked how much the dentist got paid for that! They are taking the piss, but then, they always have (back in the 80's doing unnecessary work in order to bill for it).

TooFondOfBooks · 12/12/2023 10:16

Mine checks in with me about hospital treatment (letters/info sharing isn’t all it could be); checks my teeth & gums; cleans where I struggle to reach due to disability; allows extra time so it’s less painful for me; does an annual x-ray; & currently sees me every 3 months to keep on top of things. Oh & she also makes me new mouthguards as necessary.

JoyeuxNarwhal · 12/12/2023 10:18

Not my recent experience with my NHS dentist. Very thorough check of all teeth. Gentle bollocking for not having cleaned my gumline correctly, explained that when I do sometimes I get bleeding around a couple of teeth so had avoided. Recommended toothpaste/mouthwash to support with this and told me to buy elsewhere because it was expensive from the practice! He checks whole mouth health too, not just teeth.

Sorry you're in pain though @OuchtFlowers

Reugny · 12/12/2023 10:21

GoonDog · 12/12/2023 09:55

I feel like I'm being cheated, if mentioned above is what some people get for a service.
Mine is a 5 minute appointment, if that. Stick a sharp instrument into my gums and teeth and off I go. They refuse to do any scale and polish, or anything else listed in the 1st treatment category. I have to pay £70 for the hygienist. I go twice a year.

I go once a year.

I have been at the same practice for over 20 years which luckily due to its location always has NHS dentists. I had one dentist for about 16 years, and after 2 years of seeing her she said I only needed to come once a year so I do.

Newer dentist is a bit pissed off with this though she has all my records.

ImAGullibleIdiot · 12/12/2023 10:22

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/12/2023 09:44

They used to do a scale and polish at a check up. Thats stopped now.

They have stopped. I could see staining building up in the tight gaps of my teeth, despite flossing and regular dentist trips. I hadn’t had a scale and polish for around 13 years with my nhs dentist. I paid £75 for a private clean recently and the difference in my smile is amazing.

My nhs dentist has also fitted a really bad bridge that looks awful and just says ‘it shouldn’t be causing pain’ every time I get to the point I can’t bear it any longer and book in for help. 😞