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Frequency Limitation

How often should you visit your dentist?

The answer differs based on the risk factors.
Some need a cleaning and examination 4 times a year, while others would be wasting their time and money if they went more often than once a year.

If you notice any sign of change in your oral health, you should of course be examined immediately.
But what if you:

brush and floss regularly,

have a healthy diet and

rarely experience problems with your teeth or gums?

A Norwegian study indicates that the there is no statistically significant difference in the oral health of children that were examined every 24-months instead of 12-months.

The frequency of recall examination should be determined with the dentist and patient after:

assessing risk factors such as oral hygiene, diet, medication, medical condition, dental history,

diagnosing dental disease and assessing damage,

developing treatment objectives, to arrest and control disease, regenerate areas of destruction, and to maintain health for both clinical treatment and patient homecare,

agreeing on a recall examination frequency that is appropriate for the risk, diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ideally, the patient and dentist or hygienist can agree on the most appropriate frequency of recall examination for the patient without considering the insurance coverage. Unfortunately, many simply look in the benefits booklet to see the level of coverage and use that to schedule the next visit.

Employers with a defined contribution benefit plan have the luxury of allowing employees to make theses difficult cost/benefit decisions. It is the employers who define the benefits and underwrite the cost that have a tough job of determining an appropriate level of care.