Dentists and hygienists.

We see our NHS dentist twice a year for a check up and he always cleans and polishes at the same time, unless we need a separate appointment for a filling or something else then he does it after that. Band one charge. He is very good and we’re very lucky to have him.

Thats interesting SpringsEternal.

I might try that although I do have an extremely high gag complex but worth looking into
Thank you

We see the private dentist twice each year. Each visit costs £76
We also see the hygienist twice each year. Each visit is £76
I had a small repair in March this year where I had chipped a front tooth. The cost of this was £300.
Last November I had a crown on a molar that cost me £750. Five months later dentist removed the same tooth for £650
Tbh I’m amazed at many of the low prices charged on this thread but reckon we are paying way over the odds

Has any one asked for a hand scale? I always do - much less 'aggressive' than the ultrasonic ones!

I am far from wealthy, but I pay Denplan monthly for the care of my teeth. I have problematic teeth ( lots of fillings etc) so I feel the expense is well worth it. I see the hygienist twice yearly. I was lucky enough to find a really good surgery not too far from home. I am a very nervous Nelly when it comes to dentists and have passed out in the chair in the past. I feel at ease now, which is a very pleasant change !

Cabbie21

When I went for my check up the dentist included scaling and polishing. Last time I looked it was listed under Band 1.

My dentist retired and the new one did not include it but said it could be done ( privately) by the hygienist. I think it used to be around £50 but I saw the hygienist today at a cost of £72.

Then she asked me if I wanted stain removal for an additional £55! I said no, but I am not happy that my teeth are still a bit stained. They used not to be affter a hygienist appointment.
What is your experience?

Exactly the same as you.Dentist used to do scale and polish every six months at check up or yearly if not needed at six months.A proper clean , picking, poking and that abrasive stone that sandblasted the stains from your teeth. Same happened to me, hygienist for £56 on top of what I'd paid for check up.
Who is regulating this within NHS ? I just think that they would rather be doing lucrative private work so squeeze as much out of NHS appointments as they can. Ours is always suggesting 'Other dentistry' that we might like to have done..erm NO.

rascalsgran

We see our NHS dentist twice a year for a check up and he always cleans and polishes at the same time, unless we need a separate appointment for a filling or something else then he does it after that. Band one charge. He is very good and we’re very lucky to have him.

You really ARE lucky to have him , that's what all my previous dentists have been like but once the surgery became part of a huge concern, not any more. Pray yours never changes !!

kittylester

Has any one asked for a hand scale? I always do - much less 'aggressive' than the ultrasonic ones!

More likely to ask for a hand OUT after getting my bill

Many decades ago, (back in the 1980's)I was struggling financially - hubbie had MS, and we had a largish young family. Went to dentist to have a filling replaced, and he told me that unless I made an appointment with his newly appointed HygIenist for £25, I would have severe gum disease and lose all my teeth painfully over the next five years. I left there in tears - no way could I find that £25.
Now,forty years later, at age of 85 have all but two of my teeth and no gum disease.

Last time I did go to hygienist (2019), she was so brutal, and left me with a very sore mouth for the whole of the following week, I swore I would never go again.

Look after my teeth carefully on a daily basis, user a water flosser a couple of times each week, and a twice daily careful clean with electric toothbrush. Attend NHS dentist for check up every nine months - had no treatment needed since 2018!!! Always ask them to do clean and polish.

We moved over 5 years ago, but still go to our brilliant NHS dentist, 30 miles away for check ups bi annually. However unfortunately no hygienist at there. Scouting around my now local town, I managed to find a newly opened practice who offer a range of services without having to register with them to be your regular dentist. So, not having had a thorough hygienist style clean up for a while, I opted for "air flow" which was expensive but I felt my teeth could benefit from this new technique. It certainly did everything it promised, except the "you won't feel a thing" I did in those areas of sensitivity.

I went to the dentist yesterday for my check-up, and I got the impression that all he wanted was money, £76 for the filling I didn't know I needed. Then he said £245 if I wanted a white filling, which I didn't, it would be £1800 if I wanted a denture infill for my lost tooth. All he kept on about was how much money he got out of me. I refuse to go to the hygienist, no scale and polish, so I have lost confidence in dentists.