Check-ups
Dental check-ups in Crewe
A dental check-up is a routine examination of your teeth, gums and mouth. It can help identify signs of dental problems at an earlier stage and allows your dentist to provide advice based on your individual oral health.
Private check-ups are £99.99 for new patients and £59.99 for existing patients. NHS care is subject to eligibility and current availability, so please contact reception to confirm the current position.
What to expect
What happens at a check-up
A check-up is mostly looking and talking. Nothing is treated on the day unless you have agreed to it first.
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A word about your healthYour dentist asks about your general health, any medicines you take and anything that has changed since your last visit, including pain, sensitivity or bleeding gums.
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Examining your teethEach tooth is checked for decay, wear and damage, and any existing fillings, crowns or bridges are checked to see how they are holding up.
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Gums, bite and soft-tissue examinationYour dentist assesses your gums, looks at how your teeth meet when you bite and examines the soft tissues of your mouth for unusual changes that may need further investigation.
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X-rays where they are neededSmall X-rays may be recommended where your dentist judges them clinically necessary, for example to see between teeth or below the gum line. They are not taken routinely at every visit.
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What was found, and what nextYour dentist explains what they have found, including anything worth keeping an eye on. If treatment is recommended you receive a written plan or estimate with the cost before anything begins, along with advice on cleaning, diet and habits such as smoking, and a date for your next visit.
How often
How often should you have a check-up?
Not everyone needs to come every six months. Your dentist recommends a date for your next visit based on your own risk of dental problems, so the gap is shorter for some people and longer for others.
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Shortest routine interval
3 months
Recommended where there is active disease or a higher risk of problems developing.
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Longest interval, aged 18 and over
24 months
People with consistently good oral health are often seen every 12 to 24 months.
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Longest interval, under 18
12 months
Children and young people are seen at least once a year, and more often where needed.
What affects how often you need to come
- The health of your gums and any history of gum disease
- How much decay or repair work you have had in the past
- How you clean your teeth at home, and how well that is working
- Your diet, particularly how often you have sugary food and drink
- Whether you smoke, and how much alcohol you drink
- Your general health and any medicines you take
These intervals reflect national NICE guidance. The appropriate interval depends on your clinical assessment and may change over time. Contact the practice before your next planned check-up if you develop pain, swelling or another dental concern.
What it costs
How much does a dental check-up cost in Crewe?
There are three ways to pay for routine appointments at Allen House Dental. Each has its own page with the full detail.
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NHS care, where available
£27.90
Band 1, the NHS charge for a course of routine care
- Examination and diagnosis
- X-rays where required
- Scale and polish when clinically necessary
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Paying privately
£99.99
New patient assessment. Existing patients £59.99
- Private appointments are available, subject to scheduling
- Existing patient fee includes routine small X-rays
- Hygiene appointments are charged separately
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Spreading the cost
£21.99
A month, on our Allen House Membership plan
- Two examinations and two hygiene appointments a year
- Small X-rays included where clinically necessary
- A second plan is available with four hygiene visits
NHS care is subject to eligibility and current availability. Membership appointments are subject to receipt of the required consecutive monthly payments. Private fees are the published prices at the time of writing. If treatment is recommended beyond the examination itself, you will receive a written plan or estimate with the cost before anything begins. See our fees and payment plans for everything in one place.
Common questions
Check-up questions
The things people most often ask before booking a routine appointment.
How often should I have a check-up?
There is no single interval that suits everyone. National NHS guidance sets a range of 3 months to 2 years for adults, and up to 1 year for under 18s. Your dentist recommends a date based on your own risk of dental problems, so the lower your risk, the longer you can usually wait.
Will I need X-rays?
Not necessarily, and not at every visit. Small X-rays are recommended where your dentist judges them clinically necessary, for example to see between teeth or below the gum line. Your dentist will explain why they are being suggested.
How much does a check-up cost?
A private new patient assessment is £99.99. For existing patients a consultation is £59.99, including routine small X-rays. Under the NHS a course of routine care is a Band 1 charge of £27.90. NHS care is subject to eligibility and current availability.
Does a check-up include a scale and polish?
Under the NHS, scaling is included when clinically necessary. Privately, hygiene appointments are booked and charged separately, starting from £69.95 for a 30-minute appointment.
What happens if you find something that needs treatment?
Your dentist will explain what has been found and which options are suitable. If treatment is recommended you receive a written treatment plan or estimate setting out what is proposed and the expected cost, before anything begins. There is no obligation to proceed.
Are you accepting new patients?
We welcome new private patients from Crewe and the surrounding areas. NHS care is subject to eligibility and current availability, which can change, so please contact reception for the latest position.
Book a check-up
You are welcome even if it has been a while since your last check-up. Your dentist will begin by assessing your current oral health, then explain anything that may need attention. If you are in pain now, please call us rather than waiting for a form response.