I'm been thinking about adding a primary care dr. and possibly dermatologist to my annual schedule, but curious on what others do.
Choosing my options based on this article: https://www.self.com/story/how-often-to-see-different-doctors
Feel free to elaborate in comments. 
41 votes
pomegranate / 3973 posts
I see my OB/Gyn annually, and Dentist annually. I just visit my PCP when issues come up (plugged ear last year, embedded tick the year before).
Wondering if I should add a regular well check with my PCP, and maybe a dermatologist visit every few years. I don't have any health issues, luckily.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
I'm going to start seeing my PCP more regularly for at least an annual physical. I see my dentist every 6 months. I will see my OB every 2 years (per her recommendation). I see an optometrist annually and an ophthalmologist annually as well for ongoing eye issues. Seeing a dermatologist annually is on my to do list.
nectarine / 2262 posts
Right now, annual OB, dentist every 6 months, eye doctor annually (I am majorly nearsighted and have eye problems). I was seeing a PCP regularly but had 2 kids back to back. So my OB sort of became my PCP. My youngest is 12 months, so at some point I'd like to return to checkups with my PCP. I feel like now that I'm in my 30s, I should be getting annual baseline labs and stuff like that.
I also really need to see a dermatologist regularly.
nectarine / 2180 posts
I see my pcp as issues arise but not typically for a check up. My ob/gyn is willing to run basic labs (cholesterol and thyroid) and probably more if needed. I see specialists for other conditions and see them more than once a year so I feel pretty well covered. I see the eye doctor yearly to every other year depending on my feelings towards my vision (its still changing at 31 which is not totally normal) and try to see the dentist yearly but I have a pretty sizeable dentist issue (I got clocked in the head with an xray machine 16 years ago). I should probably see a dermatologist at least every few years but haven't made that work yet.
pear / 1728 posts
I see my OB and eye doctor annually. I try to make it to the dermatologist every year for a skin check but that doesn't always happen.
I'm really bad about going to the dentist because I hate it. I need to start going more regularly.
persimmon / 1381 posts
Ob GYN and dentist (2x a year) are the most regular. I recently found a pcp and have had one physical and plan to go every 12-18 months. My goal for this year is to find a dermatologist and go annually for a skin check. I have a fair amount of moles and spent too much time in high school in a tanning bed.
persimmon / 1095 posts
PCP and Dentist annually. PCP will do my well-woman checkup. However, I've been pregnant every other year lately so I have been to the OB often. Pap is only needed every 3 years at my risk level. Dental hygienist quarterly for cleaning. I have bad teeth, but am only checked for cavities annually.
Eye doctor every 3 years or so. I still have 20/20 vision. Dermatologist was recommended every 3 years as well.
pomegranate / 3355 posts
PCP, eye dr
I was seeing my OB/GYN but since having my last LO they basically told me I could just switch to my PCP who does pap's so that's what I've been doing the past 2 years. I also just started seeing my PCP yearly when I turned 40.... prior to that I only went when sick or something was up. I NEED to add in the dentist BUT I literally would rather jump out of my window than go to the dentist sooooo we'll see. I am thinking of doing sedation dentistry to see if I can tolerate that.
pomegranate / 3973 posts
@MrsADS: Thats what I'm thinking, being in my 30's I should be getting labs done more often... it's been 6 years since I've had my cholesterol checked- and that was with OB.
@snarkybiochemist: Dentists are bad enough without having had that happen!
@skinnycow: ME too! Hate the dentist, and am glad they only have me go once a year.
@Mrs. Toad: I hadn't even though of seeing an eye doctor till I read that article - only time I get it checked is when I renew my license!
@Ajsmommy: My OB suggested I could just go to PCP as well, by my PCP is a guy and I'd rather stick with a lady for my lady parts. 
pear / 1565 posts
I haven't gone back to my gyno since I had my last baby 
Need to be better about that...
I go to primary and eye doctor every year. Dentist I am supposed to go twice a year but I haven't made it there since last Nov...
Never really thought about going to the derm! Weary of paying a specialist co-pay if it applies.
persimmon / 1095 posts
@josina: I get labs done when my PCP tells me to. I asked about an eye doctor a few years ago. My father had cataracts, so I asked for a checkup.
coconut / 8079 posts
I see my dentist and PCP every six months, OBGYN annually, eye exam every other year, and dermatologist when I remember and we've already hit our max oop! 
pomegranate / 3809 posts
I go to whatever is covered 100% by insurance as preventative care, so primary care, dentist and eye doctor. Anything else is considered a specialist.
kiwi / 500 posts
There should be an option for none. I have a pre existing condition and insurance would be way out of budget, so I pay out of pocket. That means that things like wellness visits aren’t possible. For example, I went to the health department two weeks ago to get a prescription refill for an antidepressant; they weighed me, took my blood pressure, and asked me a few questions. I was only in the room for maybe 15 minutes. The bill was $275. And that’s at the health department! Not even a private practice. I’m ordering my antidepressants online from overseas from now on.
pear / 1547 posts
My PCP is a family medicine doc that does OB, so she's the only MD I need to see! She sees our whole family and will deliver LO3. Other than that, dentist and eye doctor.
pear / 1521 posts
I go to dentist for cleaning every 6 month (after long stretch of ignoring dental prob in my 20s) - I make my appointment for the next visit when I’m there so that keeps me on track.
When I was having kids I didn’t really see the need for my PCP except when health issues came up. They didn’t really want to touch me anyway when I was pregnant and had a couple issues, they always sent me to a specialist!
Anyway now that I’m done having kids I need to find a new PCP. I actually went to my OB recently for an issue that could have been gynecological (it wasn’t) and she couldn’t/wouldn’t refer me to the specialist I need to see so I had to go to my current PCP anyway. I wish my OB could be my PCP thouh,I love her.
Way overdue for eye dr.
pineapple / 12566 posts
I’m very proactive with my health and have had some minor issues for the last few years and like to keep them monitored. I get an annual physical with my GP, annual gyno visit, annual skin check with the derm, biannual dentist visit. I should probably get my eyes checked sometime soon, but I had lasik a few years ago and haven’t had any vision problems. I used to go annually before. Where I currently live, nearly all of the doctors practice in hospital clinics, which is actually awesome. I can schedule visits with the GP, Gyno and derm all for the same day, so it’s super convenient. I could probably see the dentist and an eye dr at the same hospital if I wanted to go all out.
pomelo / 5573 posts
I see my family doctor on an annual basis, but mostly just because I need her to renew my massage therapy prescription so I can get my insurance to cover my massages. She does my PAP smear, so I don’t see an OB/gyn. I do see a dermatologist annually because I had a mole removed a few years ago that was a carcinoma. Then my dentist annually, and my optometrist every 18-24 months, more or less.
grapefruit / 4361 posts
I have to do an annual wellness visit as a requirement for my employer's contribution to my HSA. *eyeroll*
I need contacts/glasses so I see the optometrist yearly, but I've been stretching out those visits because I dislike his personality / exam style and I need to find a new one, which would be my 3rd in 9 years.
Dentist is easy. One time I skipped my 6 month due to college, and the next visit had SO much scraping to do.... ick. Not skipping that again.
pear / 1992 posts
I see my midwife group annually for a well exam, eye doctor annually, dentist every 6 months, and dermatologist every 2/3 years (early last year).
I see my PCP/NP at the practice when I have a problem, often a sinus infection or similar for which I think I need meds. I also have an allergist who I see when needed for skin sensitivity issues that come up every so often. I’ll do minute clinic or web md live services if I have an eye infection or similar.
pomegranate / 3113 posts
I see my PCP every 12-18 months for a checkup and on an as-needed basis for any issues that arise. She also does my PAPs so I haven’t been to the midwives I used during my pregnancy since my aftercare was done. I go to the eye doctor annually, the dentist every 6 months, and the dermatologist every couple years for a screening.
cherry / 236 posts
PCP annually at least (it's a requirement for health insurance through my husband's company), rheumatologist annually for bloodwork, dentist every 6 months, psychiatrist once a month/every six weeks. OBGYN is supposed to be every 3 years but I keep getting pregnant so I basically see them all the time.
pomegranate / 3973 posts
@Hypatia: Added an option for none. That's got to be so tough! It is crazy what Drs. and prescriptions cost!
@erinbaderin: I need a massage therapy prescription, sounds awesome! I told my DH about that when you posted about it before because I think his job would totally justify it.
I need the check my insurance and see what they all cover.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
24 comments