Croydon Dental Practice · Preventive care

Dental Check-Up in Croydon

A regular check-up is the simplest way to catch problems early, when they are usually smaller and easier to treat. Book a new patient examination or a check-up and hygiene visit at our dentist in Croydon on Lower Addiscombe Road.

New patient exam & X-rays £65Check-up & hygiene £75NHS Band 1 £27.90Mouth cancer screening

Check-ups at a glance

  • New patient examination with X-rays: £65
  • Check-up & hygiene: £75
  • NHS Band 1: £27.90 when places are available
  • Free NHS care for under-18s
  • Mon–Fri 9:00–17:30

What we check

A check-up is more than counting teeth. Your dentist looks at the whole mouth and asks about your general health, because the two are linked.

Teeth

Signs of decay, worn or cracked teeth, and the condition of existing fillings, crowns and bridges.

Gums

Bleeding, inflammation and pockets around the teeth that can point to gum disease.

Mouth cancer screening

A look and feel around your tongue, cheeks, lips, palate, throat and neck for ulcers, patches or lumps.

Your bite

How your teeth meet, signs of grinding or clenching, and any jaw clicking or pain.

digital X-rays when needed

X-rays show decay between teeth and under fillings and the bone around the roots. We take them only when there is a reason.

Advice

Diet, brushing, cleaning between teeth, smoking and alcohol, explained in a practical, non-judgemental way.

What happens at your appointment

A new patient examination usually takes a little longer than a routine check-up, as we are getting to know your mouth for the first time.

  1. Medical history
    We ask about your health, medicines and any concerns. Please bring a list of the medicines you take.
  2. Talk first
    Tell us about anything bothering you: sensitivity, a chipped tooth, bleeding gums or something you would like to change.
  3. Examination
    The dentist examines your teeth, gums, soft tissues and bite, and takes X-rays if they are needed.
  4. Hygiene
    With a check-up and hygiene appointment, plaque and tartar are removed and teeth are polished.
  5. Your plan
    We explain what we found, any treatment needed with costs in writing, and when you should come back.

How often should you have a check-up?

Not everyone needs a check-up every six months. Following NICE guidance on dental recall, your dentist decides how often you should come based on your own risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other problems. For adults, the interval can be anything from 3 to 24 months. For children and young people under 18, it is between 3 and 12 months, because teeth and risk change more quickly as they grow.

If you have had a lot of decay recently, have gum disease, smoke, have diabetes or a dry mouth, or wear braces, you are likely to be seen more often. If your mouth has stayed healthy for a long time, you may be able to come less often. We review your interval at every visit, so it can change if your circumstances do.

Mouth cancer: why we check

Mouth cancer can affect anyone, but the risk is higher in people who smoke or chew tobacco, drink alcohol heavily, or have had HPV infection. Your dentist checks the soft tissues of your mouth at every examination. Between visits, see a dentist or GP if you notice an ulcer that has not healed within three weeks, a red or white patch, a lump, or unexplained numbness or difficulty swallowing. Most of these turn out to be harmless, but it is always worth getting them checked.

NHS and private check-ups

We are an NHS and private practice. When NHS places are available, an NHS examination costs the Band 1 charge of £27.90, which covers the examination, diagnosis, X-rays, advice and a scale and polish if clinically needed. NHS dental care is free for under-18s and some other groups, such as pregnant women, those who have had a baby in the last 12 months and people receiving certain benefits. NHS availability changes, so please call 020 8656 6959 to check, or see our NHS dentist in Croydon page.

Private patients can book a new patient examination with X-rays for £65 or a check-up and hygiene appointment for £75, which combines your examination with a clean by our hygienist in Croydon. Private appointments often offer more flexibility on times and length.

Check-up prices

Prices from our price list. Any treatment found at your check-up is explained and quoted in writing before it starts.

Appointment Price
New patient examination with X-rays £65
Check-up & hygiene £75
NHS Band 1 examination (when places are available) £27.90
NHS Band 2 (fillings, extractions, root canal) £76.60
NHS Band 3 (crowns, bridges, dentures) £332.10
Under-18s on the NHS Free

See our full price list for private treatment costs.

Before your visit

Please arrive a few minutes early to complete or update your medical history. Bring a list of your medicines, and let us know if you are pregnant, have a heart condition, take blood thinners or have recently been unwell. If you feel nervous, tell reception when you book; our nervous patients page explains how we can help. If you have pain or swelling now, do not wait for a routine check-up: book an emergency appointment instead.

Finding us

Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.

Related treatments in Croydon

Dental hygienist

Scale and polish, gum care and personal home-care advice.

Children’s dentist

Check-ups for young patients, free on the NHS for under-18s.

White fillings

Tooth-coloured fillings if your check-up finds decay.

Gum disease treatment

Help with bleeding gums and periodontitis.

Dental check-ups: common questions

How much is a dental check-up in Croydon?

A private new patient examination with X-rays is £65, and a check-up and hygiene appointment is £75. An NHS examination is the Band 1 charge of £27.90 when NHS places are available.

How often should I have a check-up?

It depends on your risk. Following NICE guidance, adults are seen every 3 to 24 months and under-18s every 3 to 12 months. Your dentist will recommend an interval for you.

Are you taking new NHS patients?

NHS availability changes. Please call 020 8656 6959 to check whether we have NHS places at the moment.

Do you check for mouth cancer?

Yes. Your dentist checks the soft tissues of your mouth, lips, tongue and neck at every examination.

Will I need X-rays?

Not always. We take X-rays when they are needed to check for problems we cannot see, and the interval depends on your risk.

Are check-ups free for children?

NHS dental care, including check-ups, is free for under-18s. Call us to check NHS availability.

Book an appointment

Book a new patient examination or a check-up and hygiene appointment. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.

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