Do I need gum treatment?

andrew

After getting a filling today, I was chatting to my dentist about what else I need done. He recommended that I get a 'scrape and polish' (€70), and then asked me if I had ever had my teeth cleaned. When I said no he sounded surprised, and we then had a chat and he explained that I should get 'gum treatment' (€480), which is provided in his surgery by a dental hygienist. He said that it's much easier to keep teeth clean, going forward, if they've had gum treatment. Since I'm keen to cop on and keep my teeth in clean going forward, have many fillings already, and can afford it, I said I'd get the gum treatment.

Anyway, when I went to make the gum treatment booking, a slightly weird thing happened which is why I'm posting here. The receptionist, (who is also his assistant when performing treatment), seemed surprised that I was looking to book a gum treatment. She quietly recommended that I confirm with the dental hygienist that I actually do need gum treatment.

Anyway, I was a bit surprised that the assistant would say that, and was wondering how I might verify myself that gum treatment is the right thing for me to get. Is it just a case of asking the hygienist? I'd tend to trust my dentist I suppose, but the assistant's reaction seemed pretty odd. As an assistant, would she be in a position to judge whether I need it?

Dianthus

andrew wrote: »

She quietly recommended that I confirm with the dental hygienist that I actually do need gum treatment.
Anyway, I was a bit surprised that the assistant would say that, and was wondering how I might verify myself that gum treatment is the right thing for me to get. Is it just a case of asking the hygienist? I'd tend to trust my dentist I suppose, but the assistant's reaction seemed pretty odd. As an assistant, would she be in a position to judge whether I need it?

In Ireland, dental hygienists are not legally allowed work independently- they cannot diagnose gum disease, nor set out a treatment plan for it. All treatment undertaken by hygienists must be under the prescription of a dentist. Dental hygienists are employed by the dentist who refers patients to them. So from both a legal& an employment perspective, they are not in a position to unilaterally change a patients' treatment plan.

If the assistant feels the dentist is recommending unnecessary treatment, she should discuss this with BOTH you& the dentist, &/report them to the relevant authority (Irish Dental Council), &/leave her position if it is untenable. It is grossly unfair to undermine a patients' trust unless there is clear cause for concern, & that that concern is acted upon via the correct channels. Not via hushed whisperings & subtle insinuations.

I would ask your dentist for written clarification as to the need, details& cost of treatment required. Then seek a second opinion with another **dentist**.
Then reach your conclusion from there.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I would say the dentist saw some tartar under you gums and has recommended a deep cleaning. There are levels of cleaning. Your regular every 6 month scale and polish, then the more in depth cleaning usually with some anesthetic so all the junk under the gums can be removed in comfort and finally your severe periodontal disease "root planning" which is a super detailed and extensive cleaning usually after extensive measurements of your gum costing upwards of a grand.

Now as for a nurse double guessing the dentist, I think that is very unprofessional of her. The dentist is working with all the facts, and has recommended a extensive cleaning to a person who has never had their teeth professionally cleaned. Sounds like a perfectly reasonable thing to me, and by the sounds of it it sounds reasonable to you too.

If the dentist was nice to you, your fillings are all good and you have confidence in them and the means to progress I would follow the dentists advice. my two cents.