How Often Should I
See a Dentist?

What NICE actually recommends

Contrary to common belief, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) clinical guideline CG19 does not recommend a universal 6-monthly check-up for all adults. The guideline (published 2004, reviewed multiple times since) recommends:

- Adults aged 18 and over: recall intervals between 3 and 24 months - Children and young people up to 17 years: recall intervals between 3 and 12 months - The interval should be set individually based on a clinical risk assessment

The interval is determined by the dentist after assessing caries risk, periodontal disease risk, and other factors specific to that patient. A healthy low-risk adult might safely attend every 18–24 months; a higher-risk patient might need 3-monthly intervals.

The "every 6 months" convention comes from historical practice patterns rather than current evidence. NICE explicitly acknowledged that 6-monthly recalls for everyone is not evidence-based for all patients.

What determines your personal recall interval

The clinical risk assessment considers:

1. Caries (decay) risk — current and recent fillings, dietary sugar exposure, fluoride exposure, oral hygiene quality, salivary flow. 2. Periodontal (gum disease) risk — current pocket depths, bleeding scores, smoking status, family history, controlled or uncontrolled diabetes. 3. Soft tissue cancer risk — age, smoking and alcohol history, family history, any clinically suspicious areas. 4. Tooth wear and tooth surface loss — bruxism, acid erosion, attrition. 5. Patient-side factors — pregnancy, planned dental treatment, recent oral surgery, immunosuppression.

Higher risk in any one area shortens the recall interval. The interval is reviewed at every visit and adjusted as risk changes.

How Tower Dental sets your recall

At Tower Dental Blackpool, every routine examination ends with the dentist setting the next recall interval based on the assessment above and discussing it with you. The most common intervals across our patient population:

Tower Dental adult plan members (£19.60/month) are entitled to two routine examinations and two hygienist appointments per year. For lower-risk patients on 12-month recall, the second visit is typically a hygienist-led visit alone. For higher-risk patients on 3-monthly recalls, additional appointments are charged at our standard hygienist fee with a 15% plan-member discount.

Hygienist visits vs dentist examinations

These are different appointments and serve different purposes.

A dentist examination assesses your overall oral health: caries, gum disease, soft tissue, bite, existing restorations, X-rays where indicated. The dentist sets your recall interval.

A hygienist appointment focuses on professional cleaning: removal of calculus and stain, oral hygiene instruction, periodontal monitoring, fluoride application where indicated.

Both are important. For most patients, attending both at the recommended interval is the foundation of long-term oral health. Members of the Tower Dental adult plan get two of each per year included in the membership fee.

When to call sooner than your scheduled recall

You should not wait for your next scheduled appointment if you experience:

- Persistent toothache lasting more than 24 hours, or any toothache that wakes you at night. - Bleeding gums that don't resolve with improved brushing within 2–3 weeks. - A broken or chipped tooth, even if not painful. - A loose tooth or any sense that a tooth has moved. - A persistent ulcer or sore in the mouth lasting more than 2 weeks. - Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet that is new and persistent.

Call 01253 353759 — Tower Dental Blackpool offers same-day emergency appointments during opening hours (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm, Sat 9am–2pm).

Talk through your own recall plan

If you have not seen a dentist for a while, or are due a recall and want to switch practice, the £40 consultation at Tower Dental Blackpool includes a full clinical assessment and a personalised recall plan. The fee is credited against any treatment booked.