12.04.11
Many patients seeing dentists too often
Some dentists are recalling patients for visits too often, in breach of government contracts.
The Guardian newspaper reported that the Department of Health has “good evidence” that it is happening despite NICE guidelines from 2004, which extended the traditional six-month gap between visits to two years for those with the lowest dental risk factors.
NICE recommends that adults should have check-ups every three months for those most at risk of dental problems and every two years for those with the lowest risk. Children’s checks should be between three months and a year.
The figures show that from April to September last year, 13% of patients were recalled for checks less than three months apart, and 58% of patients are seen at three-to-nine month intervals.
Dental charges for non-exempt groups rose by 50p to £17 on April 1 for routine check-ups and advice.
The Department of Health told the newspaper that changes to dentists’ contracts, which are to be piloted in 62 dental practices, should make implementation of the NICE guidelines easier. The contract changes will reward dentists for the quality rather than number of treatments.
The British Dental Association said: “Many patients want to see a dentist more frequently – either to pick up problems early, such as gum disease, or for reassurance about their oral health – and dentists have to change patient habits as well.”
“The NICE guidance on recall…represented a significant change for dentists and patients alike. Six-month check-ups have been the backbone of NHS dentistry since its formation.”
The DH endorsed this explanation, cautioning against blaming dentists for the issue with recall periods.
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