Hygienist appointments

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Are they worth it? Have just booked in for my first one, £50 , hope it's worth it!

Apparently it depends (I don't know on what), I know one person who has had gum disease stopped as a result of regular appointments, but I asked my dentist if I should go and he said no there would be nothing to be gained.

Definitely worthwhile , hygienist has halted my gum disease , which the dentist was going to refer me to a specialist for , I go at least 3 times a year .

It sounds like a nice idea , and I've read positive reviews of it making your teeth a bit whiter etc

If you need to receive gum treatment or a scale and polish this can be done by the hygienist but should be provided as part of your NHS care (look up bands and charges). If it is just for cosmetic reasons and feeling a bit cleaner then you might see the hygienist privately.

The first hydenist I saw used a machine to remove plaque but I changed my dentist and now this one, who is very nice and doesn't hurt, uses removal tools manually. I do wonder if this is as effective.

lucy non of the dentists in my area offer NHS hygienist appointments for gum disease so I have to pay.

The hygienist is brilliant and a deep clean and regular scale and polishes, combined with interdental brushing and flossing has stopped my gum disease. Shame I can't find it on the NHS.

If you need gum treatment and the hygienist is private then the dentist should provide this. If they don't it is illegal. Challenge them. Print off the NHS list of charges if that helps. Gum treatment, i.e. Perio, is covered under Band 2 (£50.50 or whatever it is now - also includes your checkup charge)

They just said they're not contracted for it.
I phoned round loads of clinics in my area and it's all the same.
I was going to complain to the local ccg (or is there a different group for dental commissioning?)