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Welcome toMilton Keynes Dental CareIntervals Between Examination And Hygienist Visits |
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Intervals Between Examination And Hygienist Visits Firstly we should point out that the intervals are based on the individual patients needs following a comprehensive Dental Examination and history taking. Therefore there are no hard and fast rules. Most of our adults patients see the Hygienist every 3 months with an examination every 12 months. Most of our children have an examination every 12 months, although many have 4 and 6 monthly examinations. The recommended interval between oral health reviews are determined specifically for each patient, and tailored to meet his or her needs, on the basis of an assessment of disease levels and risk of or from dental disease. Intervals are not fixed in stone for a lifetime but are reassessed at each visit. We base our intervals on the individual patients assessment of risk |
| Risk factors. | ||
| Medical Conditions where dental disease could put the patient’s general health at increased risk. | Cardiovascular disease. | |
| Immunosuppression. | ||
| Bleeding disorders. | ||
| Conditions that increase a patient’s risk of developing dental disease. | Xerostomia/Dry Mouth. | |
| Diabetes | ||
| Conditions that may complicate dental treatment or the patient’s ability to maintain their oral health. | Phobic conditions. | |
| Anxious/nervous. | ||
| Special needs. | ||
| Social history | High caries levels in Parents | |
| High caries levels in children/siblings | ||
| General Issues | Tobacco use | |
| Excessive alcohol use | ||
| Family history of chronic or aggressive (early onset/juvenile) periodontitis | ||
| Dietary habits High and/or frequent sugar intake | ||
| High and/or frequent dietary acid intake | ||
| General Related Dental Condition | Exposure to fluoride Use of fluoride toothpaste | |
| Other sources of fluoride (eg, the patient lives in a water-fluoridated area) | ||
| Clinical evidence and dental history | ||
| Recent and previous caries experience New lesions since last check-up | ||
| Anterior caries or restorations | ||
| Premature extractions because of caries | ||
| Past root caries or large number of exposed roots | ||
| Heavily restored dentition | ||
| Recent and previous periodontal disease | ||
| Experience Previous history of periodontal disease | ||
| Evidence of gingivitis | ||
| Presence of periodontal pockets (BPE code 3 or 4) and/or bleeding on probing | ||
| Presence of furcation involvements or advanced attachment loss (BPE code *)a | ||
| Mucosal lesions Mucosal lesion present | ||
| Erosion and tooth surface loss Clinical evidence of tooth wear | ||
| Saliva Low saliva flow rate | ||
| Presence of premalignant lesions | ||
| Plaque-retaining factors (such as orthodontic appliances) | ||
| Plaque Poor level of oral hygiene | ||
| Other important issues |
The effects of oral hygiene, diet, fluoride use, tobacco and alcohol on oral health. |
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The outcome of previous care episodes and the suitability of previously recommended intervals. |
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The patient’s ability or desire to visit the dentist at the recommended interval. |
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The financial costs to the patient of having the oral health review and any subsequent treatments. |
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DENTAL PROBLEMS LINKED TO OTHER DISEASES
Over the last ten years there has been a growing body of evidence
linking periodontal disease and systemic diseases. The National
Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) states "Gum
disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to
possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your
mouth." The Research, Science and Therapy Committee of
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) 1998 reviewed numerous
studies and found periodontal disease and gingivitis as potential
contributing factors for Infective Endocarditis (damaged heart valves),
cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis, coronary thrombosis, ischemic
heart disease, stroke), diabetes, respiratory disease, low birth weight
infants, and behavioral and psychosocial status. Patients with
periodontal disease have a 1.5 - 2.0 times greater risk of incurring a
fatal cardiovascular disease. PERIODONTAL DISEASE IS A POTENTIAL RISK FACTOR FOR:
Infective Endocarditis (damaged heart valves)
Cardiovascular diseases (arteriosclerosis, coronary thrombosis
ischemic heart disease, stroke) Diabetes
Respiratory disease Low birth weight
infants Behavioural and psychosocial status
Diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections, which is the
likely reason they are more apt to have periodontal disease than those
without diabetes "Periodontal disease is often considered the sixth
complication of diabetes". "Controlling your periodontal disease may
help you control your diabetes." Some 16 million Americans suffer from Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and it is the sixth leading cause
of death in the United States. F. Scannapieco, D.M.D., lead researcher
of a study published in January 2001 Journal of Periodontology, found
that patients with periodontal disease have a 1.5 times greater risk of
COPD. "Identification of potential risk factors that contribute to the
development of chronic bronchitis or emphysema - respiratory diseases
that comprise COPD - may suggest interventions that could prevent or
delay the onset of the disease, or slow its progression," states
Scannapieco. More and more evidence is mounting to show a link
between low birth weights and periodontal disease. Dr. Steven
Offenbacher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found
that even after taking other possible causes of prematurity into
account, women with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to
have a baby of low birth weight or that is premature. Not only is there an indirect link between periodontal
disease and systemic diseases, but periodontal disease is infectious or
communicable and can be passed between family members.
