Dental check-up appointments
About
Dental check-ups are essential for maintaining a healthy smile. They allow your dentist to assess your oral health to see if you need any treatment.
You might not feel there's anything wrong with your teeth but it's essential to have regular check-ups to keep your mouth healthy, and make sure any issues are dealt with as soon as possible – or prevent them altogether. Remember, it’s much easier to prevent problems, than cure them.
Book your dental check up with Bupa by simply contacting your local practice.
What is a dental check-up?
In a dental check-up appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth, mouth and gums to ensure your mouth is healthy. It’s also a chance for them to find any problems you might have.
You should have regular check-ups and your dentist will advise you on how often this should be to best meet your individual needs. Your dentist will let you know during your appointment when you next need to come back.
I’m nervous about having a check-up
If you’re nervous about dental treatment, let your practice know when you book. We’re used to treating people who have dental anxiety, and there are ways a dentist can change their approach to help you.
How much is a dental check-up?
Appointment lengths and costs vary depending on whether you’re an NHS patient or undertaking private treatment. Dental check-up costs also differ depending on if you’re seeking dental check-ups in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, for a full breakdown, please see our price comparison below.† Check-ups can also vary depending on your oral health.
| NHS | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| England | £26.80 | £71.00 |
| Wales | £20 | £64.00 |
| Scotland | No charge | £68.00 |
| Northern Ireland | £7.62 | £67.00 |
What’s involved in a dental check-up?
At every check-up, your dentist will:
- Examine your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue.
- Ask you questions about any problems or pain you’ve had since your last check-up.
- Give you advice on things you can do to improve your oral health such as recommendations on your diet, how to brush, oral hygiene, etc…
Your dentist may also need to take X-rays of your mouth to check for any hidden problems such as decay and bone loss due to gum disease .
If you have a build-up of plaque, you may be referred to a hygienist to perform a scale and polish, or your dentist may do this straightaway if necessary. Sometimes, hygienist treatments are carried out in the same appointment as your check-up.
Your dentist will also check for any signs of mouth cancer or other general diseases that can affect the mouth at each dental check-up. If any further problems are identified, your dentist will recommend the next steps to take.
Bupa Smile Plan
Bupa Smile Plan is a proactive approach to protecting your oral health. It’s an annual plan of private routine check-up and hygiene appointments that you pay for monthly.
How it works
The dental payment plan spreads the cost of routine appointments across 12 equal and manageable monthly payments, making budgeting easier.
Benefits
Regular monitoring means that your dentist can spot the signs of any potential oral concerns. With early intervention, your dentist can manage them before they become bigger issues, or even avoid them altogether.
†Price of NHS Band 1 treatment as at January 2024. Price stated for private check-up is based on the average figure across 376 Bupa Dental Care practices as of July 2024. Price comparison is of nearest equivalent services across NHS, Bupa Dental Essentials and private for a single routine check-up appointment. Scope of services is not identical across NHS, Bupa Dental Essentials and private – please speak with your local Bupa Dental Care practice for further information.
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Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England and Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
Oasis Dental Care Limited has a number of trading names including Bupa Dental Care. Please see the list of our different trading names.
