Jump to content

Recommended Posts

What services do dental hygienists provide beyond what you can pay for on the state? It's many years since my state dentist referred me to one. I get a scale and polish as part of my routine check. I did some work on dentistry years ago, meeting dentists and trade/professional groups, and then it was argued by some that even a scale and polish didn't actually benefit the oral health of the patient. I managed to get into the habit of flossing a few years ago which has helped both the gums receding and cavities. Other simple tips, do not let sweet drinks and juice linger in the mouth, and when you clean your teeth don't wash your mouth out afterwards. Let the flouride toothpaste do its job. All of that was from dental professionals not word of mouth (ho ho).

A common view amongs many involved in the profession not my own dentist. My wonderful dentist gives me a scale and polish, I tend not to say "do you really need to do this, there is some evidence that it isn't particularly useful', and it is part of my check up. A previous dentist used to scowl and tell me that I'd been drinking too much tea and red wine.


My dentist is a similar age and went through the save level of poor dental hygiene (eg Ribena, that rotted many kids teeth in the 60s to 80s), one of the water companies that did't put flouride in the water, and drill and fill unnecessary intervention by state dentists. The latter is no longer a practice. All four of us kids over 15 years when to the same butcher who did dentistry from a caravan in the playground twice a year. Fortunately kids have better advice, better oral hygiene and better preventive dentistry now. Nice comparison of similar metropolitan areas with and without flouride - Birmingham vs Bolton, 50% more cavities in the latter.


https://bfsweb.org/download/1399/benefits-of-fluoridation/14pKaIyAZbTPp6K6f3USVroFqBaVsTW40/Fifty%20years%20of%20water%20fluoridation%20in%20Birmingham%202014

We left Smile some time ago as they were constantly pushing cosmetic products - unfortunately hubby fell for this and agreed to tooth whitening and was shocked when he was charged over ?200. He never used the product - also he was not informed of the cost of the treatment before he started it.

I pay ?95 for a 45 minute hygienist session and I think that's fair in the current circumstances where the room and equipment is sanitised after each patient. Because of the cleaning, each hygienist is able to treat a reduced number of patients.


There is also the cost of PPI equipment which is necessary now.


I consider ?95 good value and money well spent.

malumbu Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I get my scale and polish under tier 1 charges.

>

> If your private dentists misinforms you you can

> (and should) complain. They have codes of

> practice, complaints procedures and ultimately

> this can be considered by the General Dental

> Council



Did you mean NHS Dentist? I had no idea that scale and polishes were still available under Tier 1.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Really? Yes you are probably right as I know from personal experience with Guys… as I claiming travel costs back, that no one told me I could claim! Left hand does not know what right hand is doing regarding admin..Ā  If they charged people for wasting overstretched staff in A& E as in not urgent just might deter people from wasting precious time…. But then you need interpreters, to explain if language is a barrier and admin staff to administer..Ā  Correct me if I am wrong but is there not a train from Denmark Hill or East Dulwich which goes to London Bridge? Would be faster than 2 buses I would have thought.Ā  Ā  Oh, forgot about Tessa Jowell but thought you needed GP referral in which case, that would be the place to go rather than a bigger hospital. Know there is one in Beckenham and you can call and they will give you an idea as to wait time…..same I hope at TJ…assuming they answer phone.. If one really things about it…too many Ā people in London for example and to few hospitals… Ā  Ā 
    • I don’t think it’s licensed for Sundays. It is licences for Fridays, but there hasn’t been anyone there on a Friday for years. So I doubt it. i think there’s a market at the Horniman on Sundays. Also pretty sure there’s one outside Herve Hill station on a Sunday.
    • I believe there is a minor injuries department at Guys, though I may have misremembered. Not very convenient for SE22 now the 40 no longer goes near. You have to get 2 buses or a train. Charging people (not sure if you mean financially or legally) would waste a lot more time, I would have thought? AndĀ  a bad bruise could be serious, depending on the cause and possibly other symptoms.
    • Good news - parliamentary debate scheduled for 19 January! DearĀ  Parliament is going to debate the petition you signed – ā€œLimit the sale of fireworks to those running local council approved events onlyā€. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732559 The debate is scheduled for 19 January 2026. Once the debate has happened, we’ll email you a video and transcript. Thanks, The Petitions Team House of Commons
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
Ɨ
Ɨ
  • Create New...