Not to go to the dentist for 6 month check ups

[60andsomething]

Well, I am in my 60s now, so it is a bit late if IABU! As children we went every 6 months, but I am not sure why. It was expected back then.

In the last 40 years I have been twice, both times because of side effects of other non-dental treatments.

The dentist I saw last year, to get a clean bill of health before starting on a powerful drug, now wants me to come back, as it is 6 months since I last went, and this is seen as enough justification to try and insist I go again.

I have never had any problems with my teeth, and generally go to the dentist once every 20 years or so.

I am a teacher, when it comes up in lesson, have asked my classes about their experience of dentists - I would say most teenagers these days have never seen a dentist, and don't have toothache.

AIBU to think the need for a six month check up is a myth? And if it aint broke, don't fix it?

I would go it I had a problem, or toothache.

No. The state of dentistry is going downhill in this country imho. Like all health services in general.

At my practice, none of the dentists work full time. The most is 4 days and several only work 3 days per week. So you just can't get an appointment straight away (nearly as bad as the GP).

Also, a lot of practices are now refusing to take on new NHS patients as they don't get enough money back from the government for all the treatments they provide.

It may be that the new medication you’ve been given will affect your oral health, hence the check up

Went from age 2 with the DC, every six months for hygenist and dentist.
DH and I go every 4 months hygenist and every six months dentist.
We still went during Covid.
Private dentist as area is deprived of NHS dentists.

The kids in your class may be unaware of dental records being made when they do go as the annual X-rays are not a big faff like they used to be.

I do wonder at the state of your teeth and gums.

How odd. Everyone I know (and kids) regularly go to the dentist. I go every 6 months to the hygienist and dentist check up yearly. The kids have a check up every 6 months....which I think is important as they are still learning to brush properly.

Well done to all of you with nhs dentists!!! The last one in our town had now gone private only.

I don’t remember the ‘hygienist’ being a thing back in the day, only check ups. I brush my gums as well as my teeth, no gum disease etc and only go when I have a problem. Sod the bloody private ‘plans’.

I need a cavity filled every time I go, which is 6 monthly. I dread to think what state my mouth would be in if I hadn’t been for 20 years 😱

Also if you are not regularly getting plaque removed by dental hygienist your breath probably stinks 🤢

In addition, the six monthly visits to dentist and hygienist are essential while wearing braces as decay can happen under/behind them.

I go to the dentist annually and hygienist every six months. Hygienist is more important imo . If your gum condition is poor teeth will fall out regardless of how healthy they are.

Hi OP,

What is the 'powerful drug' that you needed a clean bill of dental health before starting?
If it's an anti resorptive medication for cancer, osteoporosis, bone conditions and some types of arthritis regular check ups are essential to ensure you never need a tooth extraction and any problems can be treated early. Otherwise you can get a horrible condition called MRONJ where your bone can't heal and just dies off and is not very treatable.
You've been lucky with your teeth and obviously don't have a predisposition to dental decay but that can change as you get older and your saliva flow dries up. This is also medication related as is a very common side effect of many medications

Call my cynical but I'd be willing to bet that with the shortage of NHS dentists, the government has changed the recommended visit to 12 months instead of 6 months.

I think private dentists say 6 months.

I suppose that cynicism works both ways - it's not surprising private dentists recommend more frequent visits.

My dentist recommends annual check ups

wow! I have never heard of anyone having an annual x-ray! And no, my students have just never met a dentist.

My teeth and gums are perfect, according to the report the dentist wrote!

Yes I'm a dentist and most people I recommend 6 months but a fair amount I ask to come every year if they don't have any problems and good cleaning

You'd be amazed how bad things can get in a year with some people though. I could show you some x rays from today 1 year on (I won't though cause patient privacy!)

Last year they were. How many teeth do you have btw?

All of them except I was born without upper canines, and have had one tooth removed when an anethesist broke it

Problem is, if you don't go they take you off the list and then you're screwed if you get dental issues.

Up to you though.

I've had a private dentist for years, and have never been advised to go more than yearly. I have also only been to a hygienist once, and never again, and don't floss much either. My dentist says my teeth and gums are excellent. I am 58. My DM had all her own teeth at 90, also barely went, and never went to a hygienist. Floss didn't exist. I think it really varies from person to person, and a lot is genetics and diet. The NHS advice is to cover those with more potential issues, so they stick to that interval to catch those that need the most treatment. DC's went every 6 months as kids, but never had anything done.

Well it makes no difference to me because I pay £24 a month (and when I had dependant children they were included in this price) and get 2 x dentist checks and 2 x hygienist checks a year. If I don't go to them the price is the same anyway.

Cheaper than a monthly manicure/sky tv/takeaway.

I think then you are incredibly lucky as most people with no dental care are down to a handful of teeth if they haven’t had them pulled for dentures by their 60s

That is interesting - what could make things go wrong in just a year?

Yes, I think you are right - it must be genetic. None of my children have ever had a cavity, or anything like that

Where I live you would struggle to get a dental appointment at all if you don't go to regular check ups. There are hardly any dentists taking on NHS patients and if you don't go for the recommended check ups they will remove you from their list. The private dentists also have waiting lists - when ours retired it took quite a while to find a new one - and they all work on insurance plans and require you to attend regularly to stay on their books.
Our dentist does a very thorough check mind you and she always does a scale and polish as part of a check up.

@60andsomething
Well dry mouth, change of habit, decline in dexterity leading to poorer cleaning, loss of taste leading to more sugar in diet

Did you see my post below asking about which medication you started?

To be honest , as a dentist, if you have a clean bill of health after not seeing a dentist for 20yrs then it’s probably not necessary to see one every 6 months. However , we don’t just screen for decay and gum disease. We also screen for oral cancer and we frequently refer patients with other head and neck cancers. Skin cancer is really easy to spot when you are up close and personal with patients faces. GPS are notoriously slow to refer skin lesions and can often delay treatment by prescribing antibiotic creams initially. When patients visit their dentist every 6 months, but may only see a doctor once every 5 yrs, it’s likely that the dentist will spot a problem before the GP.