Dentist in Leiden for expats: English-speaking and accessible dental care
Have you recently moved to Leiden or the surrounding area and are you looking for a dentist where you can easily communicate in English? Getting to know a new healthcare system can be difficult, especially when you do not yet know how dental care, insurance, and rates are arranged in the Netherlands.
At We Smile Tandartsen in Leiden, we welcome international patients and can discuss the treatment, options, and costs with you in English.
Whether you live in the Netherlands for work, study, or family: good communication is important to understand the condition of your teeth and which treatment is being proposed.
In this article, we explain how dental care works in the Netherlands, how to register with a dentist, and what you can expect as an international patient.
Does the dentist speak English?
Yes. At We Smile Tandartsen, international patients can be assisted in English.
We consider this important because dental terms and treatment plans can sometimes be complicated, even in your own language.
During an appointment, we explain what we see, which treatment may be necessary, and what the options are. You can, of course, ask questions if anything is unclear.
The goal is for you to understand what is being proposed before a treatment is carried out.
How does a dentist work in the Netherlands?
Dental care in the Netherlands may be organized differently than what you are used to in your own country.
A dental practice typically provides periodic check-ups, X-ray examinations when necessary, fillings, root canal treatments, and other general dental care.
For certain specialist treatments, the dentist may refer you to, for example, an oral surgeon, orthodontist, endodontist, or another specialized practitioner.
You do not need to find a specialist yourself for every dental problem. Your dentist can assess what care is needed and refer you if necessary.
How do I register with a dentist in Leiden?
If you are looking for a permanent dentist in Leiden, you can first register online as a new patient at our practice.
After your registration, an initial appointment can be scheduled.
During this first appointment, we will get to know each other, discuss your medical and dental history, and assess the current condition of your teeth.
Do you have any complaints or specific wishes? Please indicate these so that we can take them into account during the appointment.
What happens during my first appointment?
During your first appointment, we first want to get a clear picture of your oral health.
We discuss your medical health, any medications, previous dental treatments, and any complaints or wishes.
We then examine your teeth, molars, and gums. When necessary for diagnostics, X-rays may be taken.
Afterward, we will discuss our findings with you.
When treatment is necessary, we explain the options, and a treatment plan can be drawn up.
The first appointment is therefore primarily intended to get to know your teeth well and not automatically to perform all necessary treatments immediately.
Can I bring my dental records from abroad?
Yes. Do you have recent information from your previous dentist? Please feel free to bring it with you or have it sent to us in advance.
This includes, for example, recent X-rays, an overview of previous treatments, or relevant information about crowns, implants, and root canal treatments.
Documents in English are, of course, welcome.
Do you no longer have an old dental file? That does not mean you cannot register. We can assess your current teeth during the intake and determine what additional information is needed.
Can my Dutch dental records be transferred?
Have you moved within the Netherlands and did you already have a Dutch dentist? Then you can ask your previous practice to transfer your patient file and relevant X-rays to your new dentist.
This prevents unnecessary repetition of recent examinations and provides us with information about previous treatments.
Preferably ask your previous dentist to transfer the data directly and securely to the new practice.
What does a dentist cost in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, nationally established maximum rates are used for many dental treatments. The Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) sets the maximum rates for this annually.
The final costs of your appointment depend on what is needed during the appointment. For example, a periodic check-up costs something different than an intake where additional X-ray research is required.
For more extensive treatments, an estimate can be discussed in advance so that you know what costs to expect.
This can be particularly pleasant if you are not yet familiar with Dutch dental rates.
Is dental care included in Dutch health insurance?
For adults aged 18 and older, regular dental care is usually not covered by the standard package of the Dutch basic insurance. People can optionally take out supplementary dental insurance for this. There are exceptions for certain special situations.
For children and young people up to the age of 18, much regular dental care is covered by the basic insurance. Not every treatment is covered; for example, orthodontics is not standardly reimbursed in the same way.
Do you have international insurance or supplementary Dutch insurance? Then check with your insurer which costs are reimbursed.
The dental practice can tell you which treatment and codes are on your estimate, but your insurer ultimately determines your personal reimbursement.
Can I go to the dentist without Dutch dental insurance?
Yes. You do not necessarily have to have supplementary dental insurance to make an appointment with a dentist.
When a treatment is not reimbursed by your insurance, you pay the relevant dental costs yourself.
It is therefore wise to ask for the expected costs in advance for an extensive treatment plan.
How do I know in advance what a treatment costs?
When treatment is necessary, we can explain which procedures are expected and the associated costs.
For more extensive treatment plans, a written estimate can be prepared.
If you have supplementary or international insurance, you can then use this estimate to ask your insurer which part will be reimbursed.
This allows you to make an informed decision before the treatment begins.
Can I go to the same dentist with my children?
Yes. We Smile Tandartsen is a practice for the whole family, and children are also welcome.
Especially when a family moves to the Netherlands, it can be pleasant when parents and children can go to the same practice.
With children, we pay attention to prevention, brushing, nutrition, and getting used to the dentist in a relaxed way.
You do not have to wait until your child has pain or a cavity. It is actually wise to familiarize children with dental visits from an early age.
What if I am afraid of the dentist?
Dental anxiety occurs in people from all countries and of all ages.
Sometimes someone has had an unpleasant dental experience in the past. For others, it is mainly the lack of control or not understanding what is happening that is stressful.
Good communication can then be extra important.
Feel free to tell us when making your appointment that you are anxious. We can take extra time during the treatment to explain what we are going to do and make agreements about how you can indicate when you need a break.
Can I come to you for pain or a dental problem?
Do you have a toothache, a broken tooth, a lost filling, or another dental problem? Then please contact the practice.
When making the appointment, clearly state what complaints you have and how long they have existed. This allows us to better assess how quickly an appointment is needed.
In case of severe pain or swelling, it is wise not to wait for a regular periodic check-up.
What should I do in case of a dental emergency outside of opening hours?
Unfortunately, dental problems do not always stick to opening hours.
When our practice is closed and you need acute dental help, you can use the designated dental emergency service.
If you have rapidly increasing swelling and experience problems with swallowing or breathing, immediate medical assessment is necessary.
For less acute problems, you can contact our practice during opening hours.
Do I need to bring my BSN or proof of identity?
Identification may be required when receiving care in the Netherlands. Therefore, bring a valid proof of identity to your first appointment.
It is also important that we have up-to-date medical information.
Are you using any medications or do you have a medical condition that may be relevant to the dental treatment? Please indicate this during your intake.
If possible, bring an up-to-date medication overview if you use multiple medications.
What if I only live in Leiden temporarily?
Even if you are staying in the Netherlands temporarily, you may need dental care.
Please indicate how long you expect to stay in the Netherlands. This can be relevant if a treatment consists of several steps.
With an extensive treatment plan, we can take your available time into account and discuss which treatment can take place here and which care may later need to be continued by another dentist.
Studying in Leiden and need a dentist?
Leiden has many Dutch and international students.
Even if you only expect to live in the city for a few years, it is wise to have a permanent dentist for check-ups and any dental problems.
Do you have foreign or student insurance? Then check in advance how dental care is arranged within your policy.
Your insurance situation does not change the fact that you can visit a dentist if you have complaints; it mainly determines which part of the costs may be reimbursed.
What should you look for as an expat when choosing a dentist?
Choosing a dentist is personal. For international patients, a few things can be extra important.
For example, check whether you can easily communicate in English, whether treatments and costs are clearly explained in advance, and whether the practice accepts new patients.
Accessibility, emergency care, the possibility of having children treated in the same practice, and experience with international patients can also be practical.
Ultimately, it is most important that you feel free to ask questions and understand which treatment is being proposed.
English-speaking dentist in Leiden
Are you living, working or studying in Leiden and looking for an English-speaking dentist?
At We Smile Tandartsen Leiden, international patients are welcome. We can discuss your dental health, treatment options and expected costs in English, so you understand what to expect before treatment begins.
You can register with our dental practice as a new patient and schedule an initial examination.
If you have previous dental records or recent X-rays from your dentist abroad, you are welcome to provide them before or during your first appointment.
Registering with an English-speaking dentist in Leiden
Have you recently come to live in Leiden and are you looking for a permanent dentist for yourself or your family?
At We Smile Tandartsen Leiden, new and international patients are welcome. We take the time to examine your teeth and explain treatments and costs clearly. If desired, this can be done in English.
You can first register online at our practice. After that, your first appointment can be scheduled.
Do you live, work, or study in Leiden and are you looking for an English-speaking dentist? Register online as a new patient and schedule your first introduction.