Jump to content

Dental Hygienist Referral

srisky

By srisky
in The Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

srisky

srisky

Posted
Posted

So, I went to the dentist for the first time after many years (slap on wrist) and I have been referred to the dental hygienist (amongst other things) and no doubt I need that referral after some neglect :-S


However, the cynic in me wonders whether this is something that dentists advise new patients, as it's an easy way for the practice to make ?50. Oh, I have been told that I may require 'a few visits' to the hygienist..mmm...

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/19290-dental-hygienist-referral/
Share on other sites
peterstorm1985

peterstorm1985

Posted
Posted

I think it depends on whether you do what you're told or not. I've never been sent to the hygienist but the other half had to go for a few sessions until the emptying chequebook taught the brain to listen a bit better and follow the advice to the letter. (And I'm hoping someone doesn't read this or I may be in for it.....)

If you get told to go more than 3 times then either you're being ripped off or.......

tog_in_sox

tog_in_sox

Posted
Posted

Srisky,

Did the cynic in you check the mirror? When you look at your own smile in the mirror do you think "Nice, pearly white!" or "Jeez, is Fagin the impression I'm making?". Seriously though what actual work did the dentist say you needed? Why did you decide to go in the first place?

Hygienists came about because dentists as in dental surgeons got sick and tired of doing all the nasty, smelly digging around in poorly cleaned mouths. They realised that they could spend more time on the real money making and restorative work they were trained to do if they got someone else to do it.

If you've had concern about your oral health and your own attempts at improved, more regular cleaning, flossing and mouth-washing hasn't made enough of a difference then a visit to the hygienist is worth it if you care. If you've got significant plaque build-up then the hygienist is the one to shift it, after that your own (improved) preventative practice should do you fine.

If you don't believe them get them to take a photo and show you the issue. Some practitioners even use video nowadays. If they're not willing to show you the issues they believe you have then find a better dentist.


Personally ?50 now is way better than ?20k+ on full restorative work after rotted teeth are extracted/excavated and jawbone shored up. If it gets that bad there was another thread a little while back about dental tourism to Eastern Europe.


Good luck.

srisky

srisky

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hi tog-in-sox, I agree with you that hygienists definitely have a role in dental care and it allows dentists to get on with other aspects of dental care. Also agree that ?50 is nothing compared to extensive work etc.


You will see from the first sentence of my original post that I readily accept that I may need a referral to the hygienist and I will be making an appt!


I think I apply this level of cynicism to anything that I don't have much understanding of, have to put my trust in someone else for and fork out ??? - analagous to giving your car for a service and they tell you you need new brake pads, the transmission is gone etc..


Why did I decide to go? Because it's an important part of my health, which I have been ignoring (for no particular reason) and the longer you leave it the harder it it becomes to go. The other thing I had noticed was food was getting stuck in front of my (impacted) wisdom teeth on both lower sides and that can't be a good thing in the long term. No pain, sensitivity, bleeding though.


So what other work do I need? Replacement of a crown, which was done when I was about 10yrs old when I broke a tooth (when I fell) and possible referral to KCH for extraction of my lower two wisdom teeth (ouch!). Neither of which I question.


Re: pearly whites or Fagin impression - I think Fagin but someone the other day actually told me they admired my pearly whites, which shocked me and I still can't see it but there you go, I guess most people have a warped self perception. However, I am aware that looking good superficially doesn't equate to being healthy.


Incidentally, are you a dentist or affiliated to one? In fact, were you the dentist that treated me?? Actually, don't answer that! :-S

katie1997

katie1997

Posted
Posted
Srisky - I think it depends where you go but at my last dental practice they would not keep patients on their books if they hadn't kept up to date with yearly or six monthly (cannot remember now!) dental hygienist appointments. But maybe some places (as in your case) have a requirement for new patients to go along if they haven't been to a dentist for a while.
tog_in_sox

tog_in_sox

Posted
Posted

Hey srisky,

Funny you should mention the mechanic analogy as it came to mind during my first reply, all that sucking of teeth and sizing you up for the type of mug you might be, what kind of BS they could lay on you to get that ?1000 bill of services.


As it happens I'm not a dentist or a hygienist but alas I'll cop to my Dad being one (retired) and two of my mates are currently. None of which means I have any interest in convincing others to go for anything other than necessary treatment. I last was in the dentist's chair about 3 yrs ago and prior to that it was probably 6+ yrs. I haven't had a filling in over 20 and I definitely haven't been blessed with strong teeth, it's just down to good day to day maintenance and that doesn't mean crazy amounts of scrubbing, buffing, digging and swilling. I don't use an electric toothbrush either but then I don't drink tons of tea or coffee nor do I smoke either.


Whilst it might be a good precautionary measure to get the wisdoms out, how wise it is to get the students at KCH to do I'm not sure (my mates both qualified from there with a heap of hilarious horror stories). Sure you might get the busty Asian student kneeling in your lap (see previous thread) but I think that experience might be more likely from some dodgy general anaesthetic ;) Seriously though you'll be fine and many dentists might well refer you there if you're on a budget or to save their aching backs.


The present contract is such a pain that it's not surprising that many dentists are being picky about patients they sign up, also the downturn has affected their income so again they'll be looking for patients who will keep the revenue flowing.


Good luck with the gnashers.

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
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • malumbu
      Oh David / Is David Lammy Toast?

      By malumbu · Posted

      The current wave of xenophobia is due to powerful/influential people stirring up hatred.  It;'s what happened in the past, think 1930s Germany.  It seems to be even easier now as so many get their information from social media, whether it is right or wrong.  The media seeking so called balance will bring some nutter on, they don't then bring a nutter on to counteract that. They now seem to turn to Reform at the first opportunity. So your life is 'shite', let;s blame someone else.  Whilst sounding a bit like a Tory, taking some ownership/personal responsibility would be a start.  There are some situations where that may be more challenging, in deindustrialised 'left behind' wasteland we can't all get on our bikes and find work.  But I loathe how it is now popular to blame those of us from relatively modest backgrounds, like me, who did see education and knowledge as a way to self improve. Now we are seen by some as smug liberals......  
    • Dogkennelhillbilly
      Dell Autos is closing tomorrow

      By Dogkennelhillbilly · Posted

      Kwik Fit buggered up an A/C leak diagnosis for me (saying there wasn't one, when there was) and sold a regas. The vehicle had to be taken to an A/C specialist for condensor replacement and a further regas. Not impressed.
    • HeadNun
      Oh David / Is David Lammy Toast?

      By HeadNun · Posted

      Yes, these are all good points. I agree with you, that division has led us down dangerous paths in the past. And I deplore any kind of racism (as I think you probably know).  But I feel that a lot of the current wave of xenophobia we're witnessing is actually more about a general malaise and discontent. I know non-white people around here who are surprisingly vocal about immigrants - legal or otherwise. I think this feeling transcends skin colour for a lot of people and isn't as simple as, say, the Jew hatred of the 1930s or the Irish and Black racism that we saw laterally. I think people feel ignored and looked down upon.  What you don't realise, Sephiroth, is that I actually agree with a lot of what you're saying. I just think that looking down on people because of their voting history and opinions is self-defeating. And that's where Labour's getting it wrong and Reform is reaping the rewards.   
    • malumbu
      The economy, a sensible debate in advance of the budget

      By malumbu · Posted

      @Sephiroth you made some interesting points on the economy, on the Lammy thread. Thought it worth broadening the discussion. Reeves (irrespective of her financial competence) clearly was too downbeat on things when Labour came into power. But could there have been more honesty on the liklihood of taxes going up (which they have done, and will do in any case due to the freezing of personal allowances).  It may have been a silly commitment not to do this, but were you damned if you do and damned if you don't?

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

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