Why is it required to see the Dentist every 6 months ?

[Michael_Scott]

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this dentist from UK disputes the need... She compares dentists to car mechanics :/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...-every-six-months-is-unnecessary-says-uks-to/

 

[ncide]

Our practice saw patients once a year but honestly, for me, I'd want to be seen twice a year. I like having clean teeth and 6 month check ups keeps em looking nice.

 

[FrogH20]

Under socialism optimal health is sacrificed for reduced spending.
Their NHS chief dentist, and all of their recommendations, are predicated on limiting health services to the public.

Having said that many people without a history of recent caries or disease indicators like plaque or calculus may be okay with annual exams. Recall depends on the condition of the patients dentition, existing restorations, and their behavior/diet.

 

[doc toothache]

Obviously as a pre-dental I understand BUT this dentist from UK disputes the need... I would like the thoughts of dentists and future dentists on this. She compares dentists to car mechanics :/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...-every-six-months-is-unnecessary-says-uks-to/

We are likely to find a dentist who will agree that the only time to see a dentist is in the presence of pain. Incidentally, it is a recommendation and not a requirement. We be tooth mechanics.

 

[Michael_Scott]

Under socialism optimal health is sacrificed for reduced spending.
Their NHS chief dentist, and all of their recommendations, are predicated on limiting health services to the public.

Having said that many people without a history of recent caries or disease indicators like plaque or calculus may be okay with annual exams. Recall depends on the condition of the patients dentition, existing restorations, and their behavior/diet.

interesting...if this is factual..

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

Yes, some patients with a low caries risk and no history of periodontal disease are recommended to only see their dentist once a year. Additionally, edentulous patients (Patients with no teeth) are recommended to only be seen once a year to check bone levels on a pano, denture fit, and for an oral cancer screening. Most patients with moderate caries risk should be seen every six months. Some patients with periodontal disease must be seen every three months for perio maintenance exam. It really depends on the risk factors, and oral health status of each individual patient.

 

[Cold Front]

You must see a dentist 2x a year for (among other reasons) 3 major reasons IMO:

1. If a patient gets an oral condition (perio, decay, cancer, etc) since their last 6 months visit, then it can be caught early. Waiting more than 6 month can make undiagnosed condition worse, and in some cases could lead to tooth loss or much bigger complications. Most patients don't know if they have a cavity or oral cancer until they see a dentist.

2. Some patients have pre-existing conditions, or at some point in their life could develop such conditions, and then become high risk patients of developing dental related conditions. Some younger patients have congenital oral conditions that need regular exams.

3. Society in general needs to be encouraged to stay on top of their overall health, including their oral health. Studies always show that compliance increases with a patient seeing their practioner at their regular exams. How many times do we see kids saying they don't brush at night? Or patient sleeping with their dentures? Or a Bruxer not aware of their condition? How about that smoker who doesn't think he or she ain't going to quit without an external support?

There are many other reasons for 6 months recalls. Above all, its prevention and good Public Health Service.

 

[dyesht]

Honestly we need to up that number to 3 or more a year. Plaque rebuilds faster than every 6 months

 

[Cello]

I am a bad example, but I have been to a dentist 4 times in the last 18 years. I have never had a cavity, so it is very dependent on the patient. I know people who go bi-annually and still have fillings done just about every time.

As far as plaque buildup goes, I obviously have some, but no one believes it has been as long as it has when I see them. I once saw a dentist after 7 years and his hygienist couldn't believe it. Other people create massive plaque deposits just a few weeks after having a cleaning done.

 

[schmoob]

If the pt's oral health is good, with no history of caries or perio disease, it does not mean that is how they will ALWAYS present. There is no reason to not see a dentist every 6 months, simply for preventative purposes. Even if it's just coming in for a quick checkup, it doesn't take longer than a few minutes. I personally would rather do that than possibly have the dentist discover something a year or so later, only to learn that he/she now has to perform corrective treatment rather than preventative maintenance.
Dental caries remain the most prevalent chronic disease, it's importance should be stressed instead of minimized.
I would also think that there would be a psychological effect to this approach. "Well, the dentist says my teeth are great so I don't need to see him for another year." So 12 months go by, 18 months, 24....etc.

 

[gatorfan99]

Obviously as a pre-dental I understand BUT this dentist from UK disputes the need... I would like the thoughts of dentists and future dentists on this. She compares dentists to car mechanics :/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...-every-six-months-is-unnecessary-says-uks-to/

Anyone that compares dentists to car mechanics are WAY OFF, it completely neglects that our mouths have living biofilms and hundreds of co-living bacterial species interacting with each other and the body..

Car mechanics work on dead, inert things.. We work on living, actively adapting and changing environments. That comparison is just flat out stupid and misinformed

 

[dyesht]

If the pt's oral health is good, with no history of caries or perio disease, it does not mean that is how they will ALWAYS present. There is no reason to not see a dentist every 6 months, simply for preventative purposes. Even if it's just coming in for a quick checkup, it doesn't take longer than a few minutes. I personally would rather do that than possibly have the dentist discover something a year or so later, only to learn that he/she now has to perform corrective treatment rather than preventative maintenance.
Dental caries remain the most prevalent chronic disease, it's importance should be stressed instead of minimized.
I would also think that there would be a psychological effect to this approach. "Well, the dentist says my teeth are great so I don't need to see him for another year." So 12 months go by, 18 months, 24....etc.

Provide a source for that. I hope you're not telling patients that lol

 

[ncide]

Provide a source for that. I hope you're not telling patients that lol

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/datastatistics/finddatabytopic/dentalcaries/

 

[dyesht]

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/datastatistics/finddatabytopic/dentalcaries/

That's literally a statement with no source as well.

 

[ncide]

That's literally a statement with no source as well.

http://dental.ufl.edu/files/2012/06/PreventingDentalCaries.pdf

I'm just pulling up random searches.

 

[schmoob]

Provide a source for that. I hope you're not telling patients that lol

Dye BA, Tan S, Smith V, Lewis BG, Barker LK, Thorton-Evans G, et al. Trends in oral health status: United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(248). 2007.

US Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General-- Executive Summary . Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000.

http://www.aapd.org/assets/1/7/State_of_Little_Teeth_Final.pdf

Ozdamir D.Dental caries: The most common disease worldwide and preventive strategies. Inter J Biol. 2013;5(4):55-61.

Dental caries The Lancet, Volume 369, Issue 9555, Pages 51-59. Robert H Selwitz, Amid I Ismail, Nigel B Pitts

That's literally a statement with no source as well.

There are statistics literally right under that statement.


So the next time you get all smug, telling people what to tell/not tell patients, maybe you should do some of your own research. I also hope for your sake that you will not be so condescending to your patients; nobody likes a know-it-all.

 

[deleted678432]

So you don't die


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[wells.harrisson]

About 78% of all American citizens end up having at least one cavity by the time they turn 17. The simple reason for this is that they do not visit a dentist on a regular basis. Doesn't matter how particular you are about your eating habits, with age many develop a few problems like gum concerns, bite problems, unusual wear on teeth, etc. To make sure you don’t damage your precious teeth, it’s essential to visit your dentist at least once in every six months. Find more information here: http://www.revitalizingsmiles.com/general-dentistry