Dental hygienist - is this normal??

[HappyMum123456]

I have a private dental plan and I moved to a new practice around 2 or 3 years ago, only because my dentist of many decades was retiring and the new one is more convenient.

I often require fillings and other treatment which is all covered in the (very expensive) plan.

My issue is with the 6 monthly hygienist appointments (which are separate to my normal checkups with my dentist). I expected this would be for a regular scale and polish. But no....these appointments are truly horrific and humiliating. She starts by measuring my plaque and bleeding score and compares this to my previous readings. I'm quizzed on my use of a "bottle brush" and expected to explain myself and my dental hygiene habits. If that wasn't bad enough, I then have the humiliation of having to sign a contract/treatment plan to promise I'll do better for next time.

Is this normal?? I had nothing like this with my previous dentist. They just advised where I needed to focus my brushing etc. Today she was especially brutal with my teeth and gums once she'd established my bleeding/plaque scores were worse than last time. She demanded to know why this had happened.

I'd change dentists if it was simple - but last time I moved I needed a load of treatment to get some kind of dental fitness certificate.

I realise this probably makes me sound like I have dreadful teeth (I really don't) and that I'm a complete lightweight (I'm not). I just wondered if this was normal. I very nearly cried during my appointment today and my mouth still feels so sore and bruised.

Not normal at all for my hygienist!

Is this fitness certificate something to do with your insurance cover?

It's absolutely not normal. I find the dental hygienist appointment entirely superfluous and it makes no difference to the health of my teeth. I feel like it's a money making enterprise for my dentist so I just tell the receptionist I won't be attending. I don't need a lecture from my dentist. My husband says he's not been to a hygienist for 49 years so why would he start now. His teeth are great. You know your own dental health and what you need:

Not normal at all.

I have complained about anyone's being too rough before - she was agency and my dentist refunded me and said he'd never use her again as he had other complaints about her.

Do not go back and tell them why not.

On the other hand, people don't attend to their plaque buildup and gum health and then are surprised when they reach a certain age and their teeth start falling out...

Your bleeding and plaque should be improving not going backwards - so although her manner seems awful, she is right.

She sounds like a sadist

Yes, the plan remained with Denplan but the new dentist wanted this certificate before taking me on.

Oh gosh, I think we have the same hygienist. The one I was seeing was so rough. I mentioned it to the dentist, who said I could have a scale and polish with her instead.

I know she’s right, but I’ve had a really tough few months with other things so my flossing etc has a slipped. I was fully expecting a hard time from her today, but it just doesn’t sit well. Her manner is really awful and I don’t like being spoken to like that. I only go to these appointments because it’s included in the plan so I’m paying anyway.

Oh that’s good to know. I might ask if I can have the same with my normal dentist.

Yes, plaque and bleeding scores are a good way of assessing a patient's oral hygiene and giving bespoke advice to help improve it. It can be used to ascertain where a patient needs more help.

More complex treatments also ideally should be done in healthy mouths (where plaque is low) so these measurements are very helpful for assessing suitability for such treatment.

Jesus, she sounds like a drill sergeant! I think it's best to find another dentist!

I have a dental plan too and one hygienist caused me a lot of pain and bleeding. Has she not left I would have asked to see a different one. The contract sounds humiliating

She sounds horrid. My dental hygiene is the best it’s ever been but perimenopause and hormone changes have affected my gums. I think lots of things other than hygiene routine can affect dental health?

The new hygienist explained in great detail how to brush my teeth. Really, I'm old enough to be her Nana. They also want to know the colour of the interdental brushes you use, which personally I think is a trick question. My practice is very thorough and do a lot of the things you mention. I'm also on their dental plan.

Yes, my hygienist was explaining to me about how hormones affects your gums. Sometimes someone is just more prone to plaque forming.

I couldn't stand to be spoken to like this so I would probably leave and go somewhere else. Easy for me though because I'm not on a dental plan at the moment so can see the dentist and then go elsewhere for hygienist if I want to.

I hope you can find another one. Mine is very gentle but thorough.

When I think, oh, no, I can't face the flossing/little interdental brushes routine tonight, I remind myself of the dentist's motto: "Only floss the ones you want to keep."

Ex-dental surgery assistant here.

While it sounds as though your hygienist could improve on her social skills, what she's doing is actually correct. Importantly, if you listen to her and follow her advice, you could save yourself from losing a lot of teeth!

I know this sounds terrible but I use those little inter dental picks with a dab of toothpaste on them twice a day and clean my teeth thoroughly picturing all the crevices as I go around. My teeth have never been healthier. I went to a hygienist about 15 years ago and she broke my crown which led me onto having some very expensive dental work. I am hoping to go this summer to one who comes with the recommendation of being ultra gentle.

I find a lot of hygienists assume that all dental issues are down to poor hygiene rather than, say, genetics or hormones.

We are with Denplan, the Dentist gives the scores and these are passed onto the hygienist. We’ve seen the same hygienist for a number of years and does give advice, which is virtually the same, but last year she really laid into me and had to use the water cleaner which I hate. It did make me clean my teeth better and last time she was pleased. I think when you get to see someone new to you, they automatically give you a grilling. If you are unhappy I would contact the Practice Manager, the problem they have is there is a shortage of good hygienists.

Some hygienists are sadists and it makes for a very unpleasant experience. I encountered one like this once and it was miserable. Can you ask your dentist if there are any other hygienists linked to the practice? Or find one elsewhere?

Most people in this country will lose their teeth because of gum disease , not decay.
The problem is often you will have no symptoms, no pain until it is too late and teeth are loose.
Less than 40% of the U.K. population use floss or interdental brushes and less than 50% clean their teeth effectively
The other problem is late diagnosis , treatment of gum disease is the leading cause of litigation in the U.K. and you are more likely to be sued as a dental professional than anywhere else in the world.

You may want to change hygienists, there may be another in the practice , because it is important you are comfortable with the people treating you. However this hygienist sounds as though, although her manner doesn’t suit you, she is being thorough and trying to help you improve your dental health. 90% of healthy gums is your effort and 10% is the dental professionals.

Unfortunately when gums are inflammed they bleed , you might not notice it when cleaning , if it is not done effectively , but removing the tartar will make them bleed and be sore. They will quickly settle down with good cleaning.

The hygienist is not doing it to humiliate you but to try to show you how to be healthy and also to have a paper trail to show you have been told about gum disease, how to clean and your role in controlling it , to defend the practice medic legally. It’s very sad but it’s what dentistry has come to in the U.K. when the GDC and lawyers are far more on dental teams backs than in any other country in the world.

It doesn't sound great if she's making you feel that way.

From a business perspective you are probably a loss making client for them if you are continually needing expensive treatment that is covered by your plan so it wouldn't surprise me that there is a concerted effort to encourage you to take action so they have to spend less time treating you.

I don't know how the plans work but just check that there isn't a clause that means they can get out of treating you or charge you more if they're trying to establish that you aren't taking good enough care of your teeth and that is causative to all the work you are needing.

we get scores at my dentist too and looking after your gums is very important, however your hygienist’s approach is appalling and I would speak to the practice manager.