Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

The Guardian - UK

Is a dental hygienist necessary every time I go for a check-up?

A gaping mouth and a dentist's mirror — Is a trip to the hygienist just a waste of money? Photograph: Alamy

Every week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it's up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday's paper.

This week's question

Any answers? My dentist is good, but every time I go he's always very keen to book me in to see the hygienist – at £45 a pop. Won't an electric toothbrush and a roll of dental floss do the job just as well? He's also tried flogging me insurance, but so far I've resisted. Is it a rip-off?

What are your thoughts?

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

'Landed in US hoping to kill Trump': Pakistani man convicted in murder-for-hire plot, says Iran forced him

'Landed in US hoping to kill Trump': Pakistani man convicted in murder-for-hire plot, says Iran forced him

An Iranian intelligence operative has been convicted by a US federal jury for terrorism and murder-for-hire offences linked to a foiled plot to assassinate American political figures, including President Donald Trump. Prosecutors said the man was sent to the United States by Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to…

The Times of India

Canadian PM Mark Carney says former prince Andrew should be removed from royal line of succession

Canadian PM Mark Carney says former prince Andrew should be removed from royal line of succession

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ‘deplorable’ alleged actions warrant his removal from the royal line of succession, Carney says

The Guardian - AU

Plane that crashed in Maine spent more time on runway than typical after de-icing, NTSB says

Plane that crashed in Maine spent more time on runway than typical after de-icing, NTSB says

A preliminary report shows that a private jet that crashed in Maine in January spent more than the standard amount of time on a runway after deicing before it took off

The Independent UK

ICE-Detained Journalist Estefany Rodriguez Has Disappeared: 'We Don't Know Where She Is'

ICE-Detained Journalist Estefany Rodriguez Has Disappeared: 'We Don't Know Where She Is'

Estafany Rodríguez, a journalist known for her work on ICE raids, has been detained by ICE without a warrant. Her current whereabouts are unknown, raising concerns about press freedom.

International Business Times UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Revealed: the Ukrainian facility where UK engineers help fix vital weapons

Revealed: the Ukrainian facility where UK engineers help fix vital weapons

Exclusive: MoD-contracted workers assisting Ukrainians in a way ‘no other nation has been willing to do’, says minister

The Guardian - UK

California Appeals Court Upholds Trial Court Order That Cited Hallucinated Cases

California Appeals Court Upholds Trial Court Order That Cited Hallucinated Cases

The nonexistent cases were first introduced by opposing counsel, but the appellant's lawyer didn't spot the error at the trial court, and submitted a proposed order to the trial court that cited those cases. That, the appeals court held, meant that appellant forfeited the right to challenge the decision.

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

'Landed in US hoping to kill Trump': Pakistani man convicted in murder-for-hire plot, says Iran forced him

'Landed in US hoping to kill Trump': Pakistani man convicted in murder-for-hire plot, says Iran forced him

An Iranian intelligence operative has been convicted by a US federal jury for terrorism and murder-for-hire offences linked to a foiled plot to assassinate American political figures, including President Donald Trump. Prosecutors said the man was sent to the United States by Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to…

The Times of India

Canadian PM Mark Carney says former prince Andrew should be removed from royal line of succession

Canadian PM Mark Carney says former prince Andrew should be removed from royal line of succession

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ‘deplorable’ alleged actions warrant his removal from the royal line of succession, Carney says

The Guardian - AU

Plane that crashed in Maine spent more time on runway than typical after de-icing, NTSB says

Plane that crashed in Maine spent more time on runway than typical after de-icing, NTSB says

A preliminary report shows that a private jet that crashed in Maine in January spent more than the standard amount of time on a runway after deicing before it took off

The Independent UK

ICE-Detained Journalist Estefany Rodriguez Has Disappeared: 'We Don't Know Where She Is'

ICE-Detained Journalist Estefany Rodriguez Has Disappeared: 'We Don't Know Where She Is'

Estafany Rodríguez, a journalist known for her work on ICE raids, has been detained by ICE without a warrant. Her current whereabouts are unknown, raising concerns about press freedom.

International Business Times UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Revealed: the Ukrainian facility where UK engineers help fix vital weapons

Revealed: the Ukrainian facility where UK engineers help fix vital weapons

Exclusive: MoD-contracted workers assisting Ukrainians in a way ‘no other nation has been willing to do’, says minister

The Guardian - UK

California Appeals Court Upholds Trial Court Order That Cited Hallucinated Cases

California Appeals Court Upholds Trial Court Order That Cited Hallucinated Cases

The nonexistent cases were first introduced by opposing counsel, but the appellant's lawyer didn't spot the error at the trial court, and submitted a proposed order to the trial court that cited those cases. That, the appeals court held, meant that appellant forfeited the right to challenge the decision.

Our Picks

Grow Beanstalk for Brainrots Mutations – Multipliers & How to Get

As you climb the Beanstalk and explore different areas of the map, you’ll see a few brainrots with unique appearances. These will also have a higher

Pro Game Guides

"If you don't really get the concept of wanting to sing sad songs in the dark, you are never going to be a fan of this band, ever." The story behind the "nursery rhyme" 90s alt. rock classic covered by Metallica for one night only

"It's a song for people that know what it is like to live on the dark side of life"

Conspiracy Theory About Jay-Z, Beyoncé's Surrogate Farm Resurfaces Amid Couple's 'Scandalous' Age Gap

Explore the controversies surrounding Jay-Z and Beyoncé, including the alleged surrogate farm in India and their age gap.

International Business Times UK

“I said, ‘Where is it from?’ He says, ‘I don’t know. It’s been here for the last 20 or 25 years...’” Jake E. Lee was on tour with Ozzy Osbourne when he stumbled upon the gear bargain of a lifetime

The elusive find was covered in dust but it worked perfectly – and Lee picked it up for a steal

Joni Mitchell's Eclectic Shelf Styling Inspired Graham Nash's '70s Hit, 'Our House' – Step Inside Her Stunning Laurel Canyon Home

Multi-colored, antique glass on shelves by Joni Mitchell's '60s windows were immortalized as part of music history – explore her impactful technique

Homes & Gardens

Frankie Grande Posted His Survivor Audition Tape That Landed Him On Big Brother, And I Need To Step My Game Up

This tape is next level.

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play