Dental Check-Up in Islington: A Thorough Examination, Not a Pitch
Reviewed By
Dr Vishal Patel
BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry Manchester · GDC 103127 · AACD Member · Invisalign Diamond II Provider · IFAAS (International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science) · Facial anatomy & cadaver course, Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy foundation training in injectable aesthetics · IBSA-trained (Profhilo) · NeoStrata-trained (skin peels) · Lynton Lasers trained, incl. ONDA
Last Updated
October 3, 2026
What a 30-minute examination at 222 Essex Road covers, and why we treat it as the most important appointment we offer rather than a doorway to treatment.
A dental check-up in Islington at Dental & Wellness London is a 30-minute examination with Dr Vishal Patel, GDC 103127, at 222 Essex Road, N1. It covers teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues, with oral cancer screening and a full risk assessment. It costs £65. X-rays and any treatment are quoted in writing first. Weekdays, 8am to 7pm.
Heading
- Full assessment: teeth, gums, bite, and soft tissues
- Routine oral cancer screening
- All dental examinations £65 — 30 minutes, including a full risk assessment
- 222 Essex Road, Islington N1 3AP — 2 minutes from Essex Road station
- Children’s examination £45 · under-5s free with a parent’s examination
- Mon-Fri 8am-7pm (Tue from 9am), by appointment
- X-rays and any treatment always quoted in writing first
If you have searched for a "dental check-up Islington" appointment, here is what you get with us. A dental check-up in Islington at Dental & Wellness London is a 30-minute examination, not a five-minute look. It costs £65, includes a full risk assessment and oral cancer screening, and ends with a clear explanation of what we found. In much of private dentistry the check-up has become a doorway to selling treatment. We take the opposite view: the examination is the most important appointment we offer, and often its most useful outcome is being told that nothing needs doing.
What a dental check-up in Islington covers
A thorough examination has a structure. Ours works through four questions, in order, so that nothing is skipped and the findings make sense to you.
Is anything silently wrong?
The two most serious conditions we screen for, gum disease and mouth cancer, are usually painless in their early stages. Every examination includes a soft-tissue check of the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate and throat, with the neck and jaw felt by hand, and a full gum assessment for inflammation, bleeding and pocketing. If gum disease is found, we map it properly with periodontal charting rather than guessing. Our page on gum disease and bleeding gums explains why this matters.
Is anything starting?
Each tooth is checked for early decay, cracks, wear and the condition of any existing fillings, crowns or other work. X-rays are taken when your risk and history justify them, not on a fixed schedule, and they are quoted before they are taken. Early decay caught at a check-up is a small repair; the same decay found two years later can need a root canal.
What is your mouth saying about the rest of you?
Flattened or chipped biting surfaces are often a sign of night-time grinding, which can point back to stress or sleep. Enamel erosion can be an early visible sign of reflux. Persistent gum inflammation is linked to the body's wider inflammatory load. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medication worth discussing with your GP. None of this is a diagnosis. We are dentists, and we refer to your GP where something needs medical investigation, but noticing the signal is part of a proper examination. If grinding is a concern, see our page on teeth grinding.
What does your mouth need over the next decade?
We look at wear patterns, bite forces and how your teeth support your smile with the long term in mind. The aim is a plan built around function and stability for years to come, which for most patients at most check-ups means watching rather than drilling.
Who a dental examination is for
A check-up suits almost everyone, including people with no symptoms at all. It is particularly worthwhile if you:
- are new to Islington and looking for a dentist you can stay with (see our guide to choosing the best dentist in Islington);
- have not seen a dentist for a year or more;
- have noticed bleeding gums, sensitivity, a change in your bite or a sore that has not healed;
- are planning cosmetic or orthodontic treatment and want a baseline first;
- are anxious about dentistry and want an unhurried first appointment.
If you are in pain or have broken a tooth, a dental problem assessment (£75) is the right booking instead, as it focuses on the urgent issue. Our emergency dentist page explains how to reach us. If a sore or lump has not healed within three weeks, please see a dentist or your GP promptly.
Your options: examination, problem assessment or hygiene
- Dental examination (£65, 30 minutes). The full assessment described on this page, for new and returning patients.
- Children's examination (£45). A gentle check for younger patients; under-5s are seen free with a parent's examination. See our family dentist page.
- Dental problem assessment (£75). For pain, a broken or chipped tooth, or another specific concern.
- Hygiene appointment (£85, 30 minutes). A professional clean with a deep clean included; Diamond hygiene with air polish is £135. This is separate from the examination and is carried out by our hygienist in Islington.
Your dental check-up, step by step
- Before you arrive. We ask for your medical history and any medications, and whether you have particular concerns.
- Conversation first. We start by listening: what you have noticed, what you would like to keep, and anything that worries you about dentistry.
- The examination. Soft tissues and oral cancer screening, gums, each tooth and existing restoration, bite and jaw joints.
- X-rays if justified. Only when your risk calls for them, and quoted first.
- Findings explained. We show you what we saw, in plain language, and answer questions.
- A written plan. If anything is needed, you receive a written plan with itemised prices and alternatives. Nothing is booked in the chair under pressure.
- Your recall interval. We set your next check-up according to your own risk, not a fixed calendar.
For a fuller description of the chair-side experience, read what to expect at a dental check-up.
What happens afterwards: results and aftercare
The result of a good examination is clarity. You leave knowing the state of your teeth and gums, your individual risk of decay and gum disease, and what, if anything, needs attention. Many patients leave with nothing to do except keep up their home care and return at their recall.
Aftercare is simple: follow any home-care advice we give, book hygiene if recommended, and contact us if anything changes before your next visit. How often you need a check-up depends on your risk; for some people it is every six months, for others it is longer. Our guide on how often to see the dentist explains the reasoning.
Risks, and how we reduce them
A dental examination is very low risk. The main considerations are radiation from X-rays and the possibility of something being missed. We take X-rays only when clinically justified, and we always explain why they are needed and what they cost. To reduce the chance of missing something, every examination follows the same structured sequence and lasts a full 30 minutes. The other risk, being sold treatment you do not need, we address by presenting conservative options first and putting every plan in writing.
Dental check-up Islington prices
- Dental examination (30 minutes, full risk assessment): £65.
- Children's examination: £45. Under-5s are seen free with a parent's examination.
- Dental problem assessment: £75.
- Periodontal charting, where gum disease is found: £195. Periodontal treatment: £255.
- Hygiene (30 minutes, deep clean included): £85. Diamond hygiene with air polish (30 minutes): £135.
- X-rays: quoted in writing before they are taken.
The examination fee covers the assessment and a clear explanation of what we found. Hygiene, X-rays and any treatment are itemised separately. For larger treatment plans we offer 0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status.
Why patients choose us for their examination
Examinations are led by Dr Vishal Patel: BDS (Liverpool), MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry (Manchester), GDC 103127, and AACD member, with around 20 years in dentistry and over 15,000 cases. Dental & Wellness London has been at 222 Essex Road since 2009 and is rated 4.7 stars from more than 300 Google reviews. We run Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, by appointment only, so that every examination has proper time. If you would like to know more about private care generally, see our private dentist in Islington page. For a wider view, our guide to a private dental clinic in London compares the options.
Questions people ask about dental check-ups
How much is a dental check-up in Islington?
At Dental & Wellness London a dental examination costs £65 for 30 minutes, including a full risk assessment and oral cancer screening. A children's examination is £45, and under-5s are seen free with a parent's examination. X-rays, hygiene and any treatment are quoted separately, in writing, before anything goes ahead.
How long does a dental check-up take?
Our dental examination lasts 30 minutes for new and returning patients. That allows time for a conversation, a structured examination of soft tissues, gums, teeth and bite, and a clear explanation of the findings. Hygiene is a separate 30-minute appointment, which can often be booked alongside your examination.
Is a mouth cancer check part of a check-up?
Yes, at every examination. We check the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate and throat, and feel the neck and jaw by hand. It takes very little time and is one of the most valuable parts of the appointment, because mouth cancer is far more treatable when it is found early.
Do I need a check-up if nothing hurts?
Yes. Gum disease, early decay and mouth cancer are usually painless at first. A routine examination exists to find problems before you can feel them, when they are smaller and simpler to manage. Waiting for pain often means waiting until a problem needs more involved treatment.
Can I book a check-up and hygiene on the same day?
Usually, yes. Many patients book their 30-minute examination and a 30-minute hygiene appointment back to back. Let us know when you book and we will arrange both. Hygiene is £85, or £135 for Diamond hygiene with air polish.
Further reading
- Wisdom Tooth Removal: Pain, Procedure and Recovery
- Wisdom Tooth Removal: When It's Necessary, When It Isn't, and What Recovery Really Involves
- Why Oral Hygiene Is Important — and Its Link to General Health
Getting here
We are at 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP, on the stretch of Essex Road between Islington Green and Canonbury. Essex Road station (Great Northern) is two minutes' walk away, and Highbury & Islington is one stop north on the same line, or about 15 minutes on foot. Buses 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 stop on Essex Road close to the door. From Angel the walk is 15–20 minutes, or a short ride on the 38, 56, 73 or 341. Many patients come by bike: Lime and Forest e-bikes are easy to pick up nearby, and Dalston is about 10 minutes away by bike. If you are coming from nearby, see our pages for Angel, Highbury and Canonbury. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, by appointment only; there are no walk-ins and we are closed at weekends.
Not a Sales Doorway
Beyond Teeth
Decade Outlook
Around one in five patients who arrive expecting treatment leave with a different, usually smaller, recommendation — an examination here is an assessment, not an audition for your wallet.
Our happy patients,
in their own words
Transparent pricing
Prices are set out below. Your written plan confirms the fee before any treatment begins.
| Service | Price (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Dental examination (30 minutes) | £65 |
| Children’s examination (under-5s free with a parent’s examination) | £45 |
| Dental problem assessment (broken or chipped tooth, pain) | £75 |
| Initial periodontal charting | £195 |
| Periodontal treatment | £255 |
| Hygiene appointment (30 minutes, deep clean included) | £85 · £135 Diamond clean with air polish |
| X-rays | quoted in writing before they are taken |
0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status.
Questions
people ask
If your question isn't answered here, call reception on 020 8127 4567 or email reception.
How much does a dental check-up cost in Islington?
Our dental examination costs £65 and lasts 30 minutes, with a full risk assessment and oral cancer screening. A children's examination is £45, and under-5s are seen free with a parent's examination. X-rays are only taken when justified and are quoted first. Hygiene is a separate appointment at £85, or £135 for Diamond hygiene.
What does a dental examination include?
A structured check of the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate and throat, with the neck and jaw felt by hand; a gum assessment; a check of every tooth and existing filling or crown; and a review of your bite and jaw. We explain what we find in plain language and give you a written plan if anything needs attention.
How often should I have a dental check-up?
It depends on your individual risk. Some patients benefit from a check-up every six months; others with healthy teeth and gums can safely go longer. We set your recall interval after your examination based on your history, gum health and decay risk, rather than applying the same calendar to everyone.
Do I need X-rays at every check-up?
No. We take X-rays only when your history and risk justify them, not on a fixed schedule. New patients often need some X-rays to establish a baseline, particularly if previous images are not available. We always explain why X-rays are recommended and quote for them in writing before they are taken.
Can I bring my child to my check-up?
Yes. Under-5s are examined free when a parent has their own examination, and older children have a children's examination for £45. Booking family appointments back to back is often easiest, and early visits help children become comfortable with the dental chair long before they ever need treatment.
I am nervous about the dentist. What can I expect?
A calm, unhurried appointment. The examination lasts 30 minutes, which gives us time to talk first, explain each step and stop whenever you need. Nothing is done without your agreement, and no treatment is booked under pressure. Tell us about your anxiety when you book so we can plan around it.
Where is the practice and how do I get there?
We are at 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP, two minutes from Essex Road station and one stop from Highbury & Islington. Buses 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 stop on Essex Road. Angel is a 15–20 minute walk away, and many patients cycle or use Lime and Forest e-bikes.
Book a dental examination in Islington
A 30-minute dental examination for £65, weekdays 8am to 7pm (Tuesday from 9am) at 222 Essex Road. Call 020 8127 4567 or WhatsApp +44 7974 910222.
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