How often do you visit the dentist?

PostHow often do you visit the dentist? by KK » Tue May 16, 2023 5:44 pm

I've spent close to £1,000 at the dentist this last month or so, having not been for about 10 years. Monetarily it's been a painful experience (who knew that a crown alone comes in at £650...) and therefore it's now beans on toast FOREVER, but in terms of service and experience it's been wonderful. So with that being said, how often do people here go to the dentist?

For reference, you're supposed to visit the hygienist at least once a year (prices range from £40-£60), and a check-up (£20-£35) every 6 months.

I used to go every 6 months. My dentist permanently closed during lockdown and not one single dental practice in my town is taking on new patients. For the time being I've given up phoning them all. I've always looked after my teeth and never needed any dental work so I'm hoping that my diligence when it comes to dental hygiene will see me through until I can get in somewhere, because, honestly, after regularly going to the dentist for as most of my life I don't like not being able to go.

Last edited by site23 on Tue May 16, 2023 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I enquired at some dentists when I was doing my Ph.D., and they told me they had two year waiting lists for NHS treatment. At the time it didn't seem worthwhile because I didn't know whether I'd be moving away or whatever at the end -- I figured that, although it's annoying and expensive, I would just sign up privately once I had, like, a real job and some money.

Then I graduated and the Covid lockdowns happened, so the dentists near me went emergencies-only for a couple of years.

They only started opening up for regular appointments again recently. So now I'm in the position of having not been for years and years, and I know I really should go and sign up now that it's available... but I'm dreading it as I think there's a good chance they'll want to do loads of work.

(Also, this is just me being whingy, but I get resentful about the whole thing because dentistry should be nationalised...)

I haven't been since I moved just over a year ago. There's massive waiting lists here to register and stupidly I thought "strawberry float it" and didn't bother. So now I'm on the waiting list that I could have joined months ago. :fp:

Outrunner wrote:I used to go every 6 months. My dentist permanently closed during lockdown and not one single dental practice in my town is taking on new patients. For the time being I've given up phoning them all. I've always looked after my teeth and never needed any dental work so I'm hoping that my diligence when it comes to dental hygiene will see me through until I can get in somewhere, because, honestly, after regularly going to the dentist for as most of my life I don't like not being able to go.

Literally every word of this.

Last edited by Jenuall on Wed May 17, 2023 7:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

As a kid my parents took us annually (or possibly every six months) as we were on the NHS.

Since leaving home at 18 I've been to the dentist twice and that was to have work done (2 fillings and some wisdom teeth removed) and it's probably cost me over £500 :cry:

Should probably go more often but it's one of those things that feels so expensive you just put it off and then it ends up costing you more in the long run! :dread:

I still go every 6 months as I'm still with an NHS dentist and if I don't go at least once a year they'll probably strike me off. My dentists are notorious for cancelling appointments whenever they feel like it (obviously to cover sick/holidays but with how often it happens I'm never quite sure!) so its easier just to go every 6 months with the knowledge it could easily be 7 or 8 months between actual appointments. If I weren't with an NHS dentist I'd probably go whenever there was a problem.

Only work I've needed so far is a filling to fill in a cavity (after they kindly drilled away some more of one tooth though :dread:

), definitely think I'll need at least one of my top wisdom teeth out, top jaw feels very crowded without them and every now and then it feels like the top ones are starting to come through.

Every 6 months like clockwork. I’m on some Denplan subscription thing that includes 2 checkups a year with a clean & polish, as well as any fillings needed. I haven’t needed any work outside of fillings in my adult life so I’ve never had to pay outside of the subscription.

The true game changer was getting a good electric toothbrush and WaterPik. Haven’t needed any work done since and the dentist is complementing me on how well clean I am each visit. Shame I didn’t do it earlier, probably could have avoided all the fillings.

I need to go. I haven't been since I was about 6 years old. My parents never forced me and since I've become an adult I'm so petrified about what I'll find out/the cost of it all that while I'm not having any major issues I've avoided going.

I did try to sign up to a dentist a while back but I couldn't get added to any patient lists, no idea if it's like it now but I know I need to go. :/

Every 6 months for me, as by some miracle, i actually have an NHS dentist.

Another vote for Denplan. I've already paid so I'm damn sure I'm getting stuff done for the money I've spent.

I used to go for an annual "check-up and clean" and I did this for at least fifteen years prior to COVID in 2020. I've not been since; primarily due to lack of finance but also 'cos I suspect I'm off the NHS treatment list now and would have to pay full price.

My wife is the practice manager of a private dentist so I get mates rates :datass:

Only been once yeaaah 8-)

I went for a checkup after 2 years and had a big telling off for the state of my gums. They did some work (cost £100 odd) and I'm going back in June to finish it off (another £100 odd) on the basis I improve my brushing in that time. I have done, I'm proper on it with my electric toothbrush and floss daily now so it'll all be sorted.

I plan to go more regularly and keep my better brushing habits up once I've got this sorted. Lesson learned hopefully.

It's also ridiculous we don't all have access to NHS dentists despite all paying towards it :simper:

Once a year for the dentist and twice a year for the dental hygienist treatment (personally think these are far more valuable for a more frequent visit especially if you don't floss or use interdental toothbrushes).

My last phone call for a check up appointment went something like this:

Me: hello I'd like a check up appointment please

Receptionist: we can book you in for 2 months from now if it's an NHS appointment or as soon as tomorrow if it's a private appointment.

But its the same dentist practice and the same dentist and probably the same amount of time taken. It's not a dentist that excludes NHS patients, the scarcity in appointments is entirely artificial and if I valued a private checkup enough to pay the premium I'd go to wholly private practice rather than support a dysfunctional hybrid business model.

I do treat myself to the wholly private dental hygienist treatment because the price difference has been relatively minor and also felt like a lot more time / attention to detail was provided.

site23 wrote:(Also, this is just me being whingy, but I get resentful about the whole thing because dentistry should be nationalised...)

It's not whingy, it's a fair thing to be irritated by, but even getting a private dental hygienist treatment would be worth it whilst getting the slow process of an NHS registration sorted. No point making your teeth into martyrs!

Last edited by Ironhide on Tue May 16, 2023 7:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I used to have a checkup every six months (home visit as I can't travel) than Covid restrictions happened and I still haven't had an appointment to this day.

I also agree that its an utter disgrace that there's so few NHS dentists taking on new patients.

every time they call me up. and every time its the same, they take one look in my mouth turn to the side and vomit

PostRe: How often do you visit the dentist? by KK » Tue May 16, 2023 7:47 pm

Is something like a Philips water Power Flosser worth it? I’ve noticed the latest model is down to £69.99 on their website using a voucher. I’ve only ever bothered with dental tape in the past, and that’s just for my front teeth.

Used to go every six months here and in Germany, then since moving back there's no NHS dentists taking patients in the entire county so I haven't been for 3 years.
The availability of NHS dentistry is a strawberry floating disgrace

I have a cavity and rang my old dentist to discover I haven't been there since 2013.

In Sheffield though we have a Dental Hospital that is used to train dental students. I managed to get an appointment and have an extraction for next week. Because it's students though there is no charge for the services and no judgemental 'your teeth are gooseberry fool after a lifetime of abuse' the dentist normally gives me.

How often do you visit the dentist?

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