Are you studying in Leiden and looking for a dentist for students in Leiden? When you move for your studies, it is pleasant to have a dentist nearby for check-ups, oral hygiene, and unexpected complaints.
As a student, you likely want to know what a treatment costs, what your health insurance covers, and how to register with a new dentist.

In this article, we explain how dental care for students works and what you should take into account.

Why is a dentist important during your time as a student?

During a busy study period, it is easy to postpone a dental check-up, especially when you are not experiencing any issues.
However, cavities and gum problems can develop without you immediately experiencing pain. By having your teeth checked regularly, changes can be noticed earlier.
How often a check-up is required varies per person. Based on your oral health, the dentist can advise which check-up interval is appropriate for you.

What does the dentist cost for students?

From the age of 18, most regular dental care is not covered by basic insurance.
Rates for dental treatments are established nationally in the Netherlands. Therefore, students essentially pay the same rates for the same dental procedures as other adult patients.
What an appointment ultimately costs depends on what is required during the visit. For example, a check-up costs less than an appointment where X-rays or treatment are also necessary.
When a more extensive treatment is advised, the expected costs can be discussed with you in advance.

Is the dentist reimbursed if you are a student?

If you are younger than 18 years old, much of the regular dental care is reimbursed from the basic insurance.
From the age of 18, this changes. Most regular dental care for adults then no longer falls under the basic insurance.
With supplementary dental insurance, you may be reimbursed for part of the costs depending on your policy. The conditions, maximum reimbursement, and reimbursement percentage vary per insurance provider.
Therefore, check your own policy if you want to know what is reimbursed in your situation.

Do you need supplementary dental insurance as a student?

Not every student automatically benefits from supplementary dental insurance.
You pay a premium for this, which is usually offset by a maximum reimbursement. Whether this is useful for you depends, among other things, on your expected dental care and the conditions of the insurance.
It is therefore wise to look not only at the monthly premium but also at the maximum amount reimbursed and any conditions.
The dentist can indicate which treatment is necessary, but the insurer ultimately determines which reimbursement applies to your policy.

Can you switch to a dentist in Leiden?

Yes. You are not obliged to stay with your old dentist when you move to Leiden for your studies.
When you register at a new practice, you can ask your previous dentist to transfer your relevant patient records and available X-rays.
This way, the new dentist has information about previous treatments and unnecessary repetition of examinations can be avoided where possible.

What happens during your first appointment?

When you register as a new patient, we begin with an initial assessment of your teeth.
We discuss your dental history, any complaints, and relevant health information. Your teeth, molars, and gums are then assessed.
If X-rays or additional examinations are necessary, this will be determined based on your dental situation.
Are treatments required? Then we will discuss what takes priority and which follow-up steps are possible.

What if you are afraid of the dentist?

Dental anxiety also occurs among students.
Perhaps you have not visited a dentist for a long time or you are postponing appointments because you are dreading a treatment.
Please feel free to indicate this in advance. At We Smile Tandartsen, we take the time to explain what we are doing and you can ask questions before a treatment begins.
The most important thing is that you do not wait until a small problem becomes an emergency due to pain or inflammation.

What if you suddenly get a toothache during your studies?

Do you have a severe toothache, a broken tooth, or swelling? Do not automatically wait until your next periodic check-up.
Contact the practice so we can assess how quickly you need to be seen.
For acute complaints outside of opening hours, you can use the designated emergency dental service.
In the event of rapidly increasing swelling with difficulty swallowing or breathing, immediate medical assessment is necessary.

How do you keep dental costs manageable as a student?

The most important step is actually quite simple: try to prevent problems where possible.
Brush carefully twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth and molars where necessary. Additionally, limit the number of eating and drinking moments involving sugar.
Do not postpone a recommended treatment for unnecessarily long. A problem that can be treated relatively easily in an early stage may become more extensive later.
Do you need a treatment plan? Feel free to ask about the expected costs before the treatment is carried out.

Dentist for students in Leiden

Are you studying at Leiden University, Leiden University of Applied Sciences, or another educational institution in the region and looking for a dentist in Leiden?

At We Smile Tandartsen, you can visit us for periodic check-ups, oral hygiene, fillings, and treatment of dental complaints, among other things.

Our practice is located at Hoge Rijndijk 88 in Leiden.
New patients can register via our website. Do you still have a dentist in your former place of residence? Then you can have your existing patient file and X-rays transferred.

Would you like to register with a dentist during your studies in Leiden? Register online and then schedule your first appointment.