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Dental Hygeniests

(28 Posts)
Franbern Sat 05-May-18 19:35:21

Anyone on here with real expertise as to how necessary these treatments are. As I have Pension Credit I get most of my dental treatment free on the NHS, but then have to pay exhorbitant for the hygenist. This time I have had to make two appointments -each at something like £45 each, as she felt that she needed to clean the bottom teeth with a injection as she was hurting me so much.
Is there any point in having this all done. Managed in the past without it.
I do remember, with anger, many decades ago, when I was trying to bring up a large family on benefit as my hubbie was increasingly disabled with MS, having to go to the dentist due to tooth ache, and being told that if I did not go to his hygenist (cost £15 then), my teeth were all probably go fall out within the next twelve months due to gum disease. I was so frightened. £15 was such a lot of money to me then, no way could I afford to spend it this way. This was back in the early 1980's and I still have my own teeth firmly in their gums.

Poppyred Tue 10-Sept-19 17:53:53

Hygienist appointments are a necessary evil to prevent gum disease as we get older. I use an electric toothbrush and also clean between my teeth but still need twice yearly appointments at a cost of £45 a time. They are painful and I need injections to numb my mouth as my teeth are very sensitive. If it prevents teeth falling out then it’s well worth it.

Dentists(NHS) are time poor and don’t have time to do a thorough scale and polish that’s why hygienists are included on the NHS Dental tariff.

jeanie99 Wed 11-Sept-19 02:48:56

A scale and polish is free under the NHS cost to me £20 but if you have staining the dentist will not clean this off you need to see a Hygienist.
Unless you ask for a S&P they don't do it, I always ask.
The cost to see the Hygienist is now over £50 and I refuse to pay it.
If you regularly see the Hygienist you can see her for 15 min otherwise you have to pay £50.