HOWARD SHRIMPTON DENTAL PRACTICE

64 New Park Street
Devizes, Wiltshire
SN10 1DP
Tel: 01380 722387

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EXAMINATION
We look not simply at your teeth, but at your whole mouth, its tissue health and function, and associated areas. We always examine your soft tissue health and occasionally we have to advise on a condition that must not be ignored. A certain percentage of patients will have a tissue lesion or maybe a cancerous or pre-cancerous condition. Sometimes we don’t know precisely what it is. But we will advise you to allow us to refer you for an expert opinion, either private or NHS, usually to a hospital-based consultant colleague, and it will be done promptly by us.

Tongue lesion: is it harmless? Regular patient. Lesion spotted by us yet patient not noticed it. Rapid free referral for expert opinion.

We will advise you on various aspects of your mouth health. You will be informed about any treatment that is necessary or optional, together with a duplicated written estimate.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 I read in the paper that it's not necessary to come for a checkup every 6 months, so why do you still send us reminders to do so?
Tooth decay does not necessarily cause discomfort but the tooth is still deteriorating. Frequent checkups help to detect decay early when cavities are small, so they are easier and more economical to treat.

Oral cancer and other soft tissue problems may also be spotted at an early stage.

What is cancer of the mouth? Only smokers get it, right?
It is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth. In the early stages it is painless so it makes sense to let us check you regularly. Oral cancers cause a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast or cervical cancer or skin melanoma, mainly due to late detection. Heavy smokers and drinkers are most at risk.

Why do you X-ray my teeth every year or two? I think it's probably unnecessary.
We can use them to detect features we cannot readily appreciate, like early decay, various “quiet” disease processes that may be lurking such as an early abscess, bone loss, etc. – it is a long list.

I don't want X-rays taken, thank you. I never have them because they're dangerous, aren't they?
 We are very careful and know the safe levels. Do you? We never operate anywhere near danger levels. We use “fast” minimal exposures so even several in one visit do not approach danger levels.

We have the National Radiological Protection Board to monitor our overall safety procedures. And do you know that when you travel on your holiday jet you get a dose of radiation from space? Travelling to USA you receive the approximate equivalent of a chest X-ray whether you like it or not? That is a lot more than you get on a routine dental appointment. Frequent fliers are at risk.

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