Episode 2
The share of adults seen by a dentist year-on-year has changed drastically since 2020, reaching levels 10% lower than pre-covid times. According to health statistics in June 2023 approximately 4 in 10 adults living in England had seen a dentist in the past 2 years. With the dental crisis still so prevalent in the news, we asked one of dental experts “How often should I get dental checkup?”
The truth is that there is no set amount of time you should book in for a dental check-up, everyone has a tailored approach based on your unique smile by your dentist. And this timeline is heavily dependent on your oral hygiene, your personal health habits, and any individual medical conditions you may have.
Six-monthly dental check-ups have been customary in the General Dental Service in the UK since the foundation of the National Health Service in 1948. However, over the years there has been a significant debate over the ‘one size fits all’ approach to the timing of dental check-up intervals. Research has been carried out to investigate if this was the right approach for everyone and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) advised the implementation of more personalised recall intervals based on a patient’s own risk of developing dental and gum disease, and to focus treatment on prevention of disease instead.
In 2004, NICE recommended adjustable recalls tailored to a person’s individual needs and recommend this should be between 3 months and 12 months for children and between 3 months to a maximum of 2 years between recall appointments for adults.
At the end of your appointment your dentist will decide if you are at high, moderate, or low risk of dental disease and will advise you of a tailored recall date depending on your risk. As your treatment progresses and your dental health and your ability to manage it stabilises, then your recall date may be extended, conversely if things get worse or if you need a bit more support, the dentist may advise you to come more often, to ensure you get more help in treating problems before they get too advanced.
This applies similarly to x-rays too, the recall intervals suggest how often you should be having monitoring x-rays to check for decay between your back teeth and the quality of the bone supporting those teeth. It is recommended that all adults who are at high risk for dental disease should have six-monthly x-rays taken, while those who have no symptoms or no new cavities can go 2 – 3 years between x-rays. You may be advised x-rays for other types of treatment in addition to the ones to check for tooth decay. E.g. you may be advised to have more frequent or different types of x-rays if you have gum disease, are thinking about dental implants, or are having braces.
Our mission since The Dental Law Partnership was established in 2000 has been to get justice for people who have suffered dental negligence in the UK. And part of that mission is to help spread correct dental practices, so our clients understand the difference between dental negligence and poor at-home dental habits. Our “Ask our dentist” series, answers commonly asked dental questions and has created a space to discuss how we can all lead healthier lifestyles to promote heathier oral hygiene together.
Episode 1, Ask our dentist “Are electric toothbrushes better than manual toothbrushes?”