Typical Teeth Cleaning Visit

gmannix1000

Hi All,

Hoping for some peoples thoughts on a teeth cleaning visit that I went to yesterday.

I was living abroad for the past six years and just recently came home. Looked after my teeth well abroad on top of getting cleanings every six months, which usually lasted 30-45mins and cost €80.

Yesterday, I booked by first cleaning in a well reputed dental clinic in Cork City and it lasted 15 minutes, granted it was 6pm and the hygienist probably wanted to go home, but I wanted to see what some peoples take on this is.

I was very disappointed, everything felt rushed. The scraping didn't last long and wasn't as thorough as I am used to having done, as did the scaling and polishing parts of the cleaning. The polishing literally lasted two minutes max.

Is this normal for a teeth cleaning in Ireland or anyone think I should say something to the clinic?

Thanks in advance.

davo10

I suppose the pertinent question is, are your teeth now clean?

I recently upgraded mine/Hygienist's scalers, the new scalers clean teeth more efficiently and better than the previous type. Patients have been commenting on how much more comfortable the treatment is as there is less scaling time required.

gmannix1000

They're cleaner, but not the cleanest I've usually had them after a cleaning. When she told me to get up at the end, I still had lumps of white stuff (from the polishing?) between my teeth - even after rinsing. I had to ask her if I could rinse more and clear my teeth. I'd imagine this isn't normal?

davo10

gmannix1000 wrote: »

They're cleaner, but not the cleanest I've usually had them after a cleaning. When she told me to get up at the end, I still had lumps of white stuff (from the polishing?) between my teeth - even after rinsing. I had to ask her if I could rinse more and clear my teeth. I'd imagine this isn't normal?

That's the loose plaque which was removed from around the necks of your teeth, a quick/vigorous swish with the pink water and you'll spit those bits out.

I once had a guy complain about the cost of an extraction after I removed the tooth pretty easily, I asked him if he would have preferred if I broke the tooth into bits and spent longer removing them, funnily enough he said no, he was happy with quick and painless.

If your teeth are clean, would you prefer more un-necessary digging around so you could feel you got better value?

gmannix1000

Completely agree with you; it's not the length of time, it should be about the quality of service.

I used to get flossed during a cleaning abroad, that didn't happen yesterday - is this normal in Ireland? I suppose my question is what should a cleaning involve here in Ireland?

Thanks for your replies!

Dianthus

Were you seen by a dentist at the clinic, prior to seeing the hygienist?
How much were you charged for the cleaning?
Is it an independent dental practice or a dental chain?

gmannix1000

Yeah, the dentist took a look around my mouth and took x-rays - it was mandatory as it was my first visit. I believe that was 25 out of the 80.

It is an independent dental practice?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Most of my patients would beat the head off me if I spent 45 minutes scaling their teeth. 30 minutes of that must be going over areas again to make up the time. I think unless you havent been for a long time, or your have bad gum disease that makes your mouth more intricate then 15 - 20 minutes active work would be ok along with 10 minutes of oral hygiene instruction.