Why bother?

Don't wait until there's something wrong with your teeth before you seek out a dentist. Prevention is far better than cure, so you owe it to yourself to get routine check ups. It's the only way to minimise the chances of a minor dental problem turning into a howling, costly, and time-consuming nightmare.

Where do I begin?

You no longer have to register with a dentist, so you can find a dentist and make an appointment with them. You can search for your nearest dental practice online, for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You'll find details of all the practices close to your address. In Northern Ireland you'll need to take your Medical Card along and reqest to be treated under the NHS.

What's on offer?

• Some NHS dentists also provide private care (and this can begin with treatment as basic as white fillings). To avoid confusion, all services must be clearly listed, and also printed in their practice information leaflet.
• If you require additional, private treatment, your dentist must explain this clearly, and seek your consent before carrying out the work. 
• How often you attend depends on the state of your teeth. If you have good oral health, you'll only need to be seen once a year (or sometimes two years), but many NHS dentists recommend you have a basic dental check up once every six months.

What's the cost?

Charges for NHS treatment depend on which country you are. Full details of whether you are eligible for free check-ups and treatment, or will have to pay, are available from our article on NHS charges.

Updated: 14/04/2009