NHS Dentist Said They Don't Polish Teeth Anymore?

Aye_Up_2

Hello.

I'm posting this for several reasons.

1) I'm confused and not certain whether what I was told is correct or not.

2) I am keen to learn if anyone else has experienced this or am I the only one.

Basically, I pay for NHS dental treatment. I went for a check-up and after exchanging the usual pleasantries and enduring a routine examination, I asked for my teeth to be polished.

I was dismayed to be told that 'oh we don't do that anymore, it's been proven to be bad for your teeth'. Seeing that I looked utterly confused the dentist further added 'yeah it's been discovered polishing raises the temperature of the teeth (pause) so like you are boiling your teeth'.

I do not know what on earth to make of all that. Plus months later I still want my teeth to be polished but this would mean having to arrange another appointment and I'm now considering booking a scale and polish with the hygienist.

I am still wondering if my dentist is just 'fobbing me off' by saying the above and whether I have grounds to complain about the level of service given.

In years gone by (and with different NHS dentists), I've always received a little polish as part of my check up. It seems a little extreme to have to visit the hygienist when all I want is a quick polish to remove tea/coffee staining.

By the way..some of my work colleagues still receive a 'polish' from their NHS dentist so why do some do it and some don't?

Plus what is all the nonsense about it being bad for teeth?

Anyone?

Threebabes

Ive not long ago had a dental appointment. My dentist has never done the polish. He checked my teeth and then I was sent to the hygenist for a scrape and polish.

Primmer

Haven't heard that its bad for your teeth. My dentist however will not polish and you have to book a separate appointment with the hygienist and pay separately for a clean and polish.

brook2jack

Scaling and polishing came under scrutiny from the national audit committee as part of the new dental contract in 2006.

Its findings were that it was mostly cosmetic and as such should not be offered any more under the health service as it had no health benefits. This is a different situation from treatment of gum disease which should be offered on the NHS.

so if you have tea,coffee staining you can choose to pay privately for a hygiene visit to have it polished off but you cannot expect your nhs dentist to do a cosmetic treatment as part of your nhs treatment.

fluffnutter

Hygienists look after the cleanliness of your teeth, dentists look after the health. Different job, different person.

tattycath

I was told it was a money making racket-sending people to hygienist for scale and polish. The dentist can do a basic descale themselves. Last time I went, the dentist said they could do a basic scale but it's recommended to see hygienist twice yearly for a more thorough clean.

brook2jack

OP was not looking for treatment to improve their health, they were looking to get rid of tea and coffee stains to improve the look of their teeth.

For any dentist but particularly nhs dentists time is money. The NHS is not there to provide cosmetic treatment it is there to secure oral health. You cannot expect a dentist to provide the disposables (brush head ,paste,mouthwash,cup,bibs, sterilisation/lubrication of handpiece) and time to cosmetically improve the colour of your teeth. You can choose to pay privately if you want that done.

This is a very different situation from people who have gum disease where "cleanliness of teeth" is indeed a health issue. Very few NHS dentists can afford to employ hygienists any more so most do this work themselves, although most would say a hygienist does a better job at educating a patient etc.

alwaysonthego_2

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Aye_Up_2

I suspected this was in the wrong place..where has it moved to?

Aye_Up_2

Aah I see this is now in a sub-thread.

By the way..some of my work colleagues still receive a 'polish' from their NHS dentist to remove tea/coffee stains.

So why do some do it and some don't?

Plus what is all the nonsense about it being bad for teeth?

busiscoming2

My dentist will do a scale on the bits that need doing, but haven't had a polish in the last 2 or 3 years. I'm quite pleased really as I never really noticed any difference.