Good question because there is no simple answer. That’s not what you thought the answer would
be. However, I read a recent article suggesting that one cleaning per year may
be enough for a certain portion of our population. And yet the article suggested that for those
with one or more of the three risk factors – smoking, diabetes and genetics- 2
dental cleanings would be necessary. And
for the segment of our population with 2 or more of the 3 risk factors, more
than two times a year may be needed. So
where do you fit in, are you zero or three for risk factors?[1]
What the study failed to address is a genetic factor that
would necessitate 3 or more visits per year?
We know there are those who are at greater risk, but we don’t have a
scalable method to determine those with increased risk and those who are not at
risk. And to compound the issue, the insurance
companies won’t allow dentist to diagnose for the difference. Each patient presents a unique set of
characteristics, but is treated by insurance companies in a cookie cutter
approach. As a result both patients and
doctors are left to navigate what would otherwise be personalized medicine.[2]
As a health care provider I tried to distance myself from
what the insurance industry dictates and stay true to my professional
teachings. However, we as a society need
to change how we look at our global health care system. One of the aspects the study failed to
address is that Concordia Insurance has found that those patients who seek
routine oral care on a regular basis reduce their overall health costs and
improve their global health. So by correlative analysis, it would make sense to
see your dentist at least twice a year.
If we can help you determine a more personalized treatment
please give us a call, because what your insurance will pay is at the bottom of
consideration in our practice.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
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