Dental check. Probing question I didn't like. Hope I didn't upset her with my answer.

[Dave7]

So..........as per title I had my 6 monthly check up.
The (very nice) dentist started to ask 'health type' questions e.g. what medication are you on etc.
Then she asked........."how many units of alcohol do you drink per week".
I asked "what has that got to do with my teeth"?
She said (something to the affect of "nothing.........its just a standard set of questions".
So I politely said "don't be offended but if I want to discuss that I will go to my Doctor".

She is a very nice lady and I genuinely didn't want to offend her but I can see no reason for a dentist to be asking personal, non dental related questions.

To your knowledge is this standard for ALL dental practices or peculiar to this one ? I didn't ask as there was an uncomfortable silence and I didn't want to create a bad feeling.

 

[AndyRM]

Not something I've ever been asked and your response seems perfectly reasonable. If you were hammering sugary cocktails I imagine it would damage your teeth pretty sharpish!

 

[Drago]

I was asked similar questions on my last dental appointment, but I was too busy munching a Curly Wurly to answer.

 

[Old jon]

Yup, I have been asked the same by my dentist. I don't think he believed my answer though!

 

[Julia9054]

I believe there is a link between alcohol abuse and gum disease/excessive bleeding so may be relevant to dental treatment

 

[PK99]

So..........as per title I had my 6 monthly check up.
The (very nice) dentist started to ask 'health type' questions e.g. what medication are you on etc.
Then she asked........."how many units of alcohol do you drink per week".
I asked "what has that got to do with my teeth"?
She said (something to the affect of "nothing.........its just a standard set of questions".
So I politely said "don't be offended but if I want to discuss that I will go to my Doctor".

She is a very nice lady and I genuinely didn't want to offend her but I can see no reason for a dentist to be asking personal, non dental related questions.

To your knowledge is this standard for ALL dental practices or peculiar to this one ? I didn't ask as there was an uncomfortable silence and I didn't want to create a bad feeling.

IIRC there is a causal ling between alcohol consumption and oral cancer, every dental check up checks for signs of oral cancer.

a quick google:

"Excessive alcohol consumption impacts on oral health in several ways. Drinking hazardously is not only a risk factor for sustaining oro-facial injuries, either through falls, road traffic accidents or violence, but is also implicated in the aetiology of potentially fatal oral disease, including cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx and oesophagus. Alcohol and lifestyles closely associated with alcohol misuse can also have detrimental effects on the dentition: dental erosion, dental caries and periodontal disease5. Tackling alcohol misuse is therefore important for primary care dental professionals from a purely dental perspective. Since alcohol misuse affects patients' general health, addressing this in primary dental care settings also enables dental professionals to meet wider health promotion responsibilities."

and:
http://www.thedentalpracticefallowfield.com/alcohol-and-oral-health/

• Dentists are all expected to ask patients about their alcohol use
• Regularly drinking alcohol above the recommended daily limits increases the likelihood of oral cancer
• If you drink at high levels and smoke you areat highest risk of oral cancer
• Any ulcers or sore spots in the mouth that don’t heal should be checked by a dentist
• You can get more information from www.drinking.nhs.uk
• You can get advice on how to drink less, and order a free information pack by calling Drinkline on 0800-876-6622

 

[MikeG]

IIRC there is a causal ling between alcohol consumption and oral cancer, every dental check up checks for signs of oral cancer........

Which makes it rather surprising that the dentist didn't know why the question was being asked.

 

[PK99]

Which makes it rather surprising that the dentist didn't know why the question was being asked.

or she wanted to avoid the C-Word?

 

[screenman]

Been asked it and aswered it, no problems with that here.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Well they have to do something to justify £55 for 3 feckin minutes ..

After the questionnaire its the We need an Xray..its another £25 ..you ok with that?
I offended my dentist..mind you its a new dentist every time you go..
I'll have an Xray when something hurts..thanks.

Ive had perfect teeth since i got my adult set.. I used to love going to the same dentist for years . now all i would like is the yearly hygienist visit..but the Dentist has to ok that .so the check up costs over a hundred quid plus xray if they can flog it to you..

From the age of 16 to maybe 40 i had 2 xrays due to changing practice..
Now they want them every year or 2

 

[Blue]

Our dentist also asks such questions. It's a good thing they are thorough these days as a couple of years back Mrs B was referred to a specialist for an oral condition that could have been cancerous - luckily it wasn't.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Could be Alcohol Brief Intervention screening questions

 

[Brandane]

Well they have to do something to justify £55 for 3 feckin minutes ..

After the questionnaire its the We need an Xray..its another £25 ..you ok with that?
I offended my dentist..mind you its a new dentist every time you go..
I'll have an Xray when something hurts..thanks.

Ive had perfect teeth since i got my adult set.. I used to love going to the same dentist for years . now all i would like is the yearly hygienist visit..but the Dentist has to ok that .so the check up costs over a hundred quid plus xray if they can flog it to you..

From the age of 16 to maybe 40 i had 2 xrays due to changing practice..
Now they want them every year or 2

Are you a private patient?
NHS dental check ups (in Scotland) are free. Any treatment required has set charges. Having recently had an extraction which took 1 hour 15 minutes to do (dentist told me it was in the top 5 of the most difficult extractions she had ever done - crown of tooth broke off and then roots had to be dug out one at a time) I am expecting a larger than normal bill. As an added bonus the filling in the adjacent tooth was knocked out during the procedure and needs replaced.
To answer the OP, I have been asked questions re current medication but nothing regarding alcohol consumption. If she was to ask, I wouldn't have a problem answering honestly.

 

[hopless500]

My dentist(s) have never asked that.

 

[John the Monkey]

I believe there is a link between alcohol abuse and gum disease/excessive bleeding so may be relevant to dental treatment

And certain oral cancers, iirc.