Choosing a dentist in a new country: ten questions to ask

Dental care is one of the first things that gets lost in a move. Your old dentist has your records and knows your history, and the new country may organise dental care very differently. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes in its oral health fact sheet that prevention and treatment for oral health conditions is expensive and usually not part of national universal health coverage benefit packages. In practice that means you are often choosing and paying for a dentist yourself, so it helps to ask the right questions before the first visit.

This list does not rank dentists, and no single answer is right for everyone. It is meant to help you compare options on the things that matter to you.

Before you ask: sort out the basics

Decide what you are looking for. A routine check-up and clean is a very different need from a toothache, a child's first visit or ongoing orthodontic work. Gather any records you have: recent x-rays if you can get them, a list of past treatment, and the names of any medicines you take. Keep these for your own use and share them only with the dentist you choose.

Ten questions to ask

1. Is the dentist registered, and with which body?

Ask for the dentist's registration details and check them on the official register. Our walk-through, how to check a doctor or dentist is registered in any country, covers the steps. Also ask whether the clinic itself holds any licence the country requires.

2. Which languages are spoken at the chair and at reception?

Clear communication matters for consent and for aftercare instructions. Ask whether the dentist, the assistant and the reception staff speak your language, and whether written treatment plans are available in it. If not, ask whether an interpreter can be arranged.

3. How is the first appointment structured?

A first visit usually includes an examination, a discussion of your history and sometimes x-rays and a clean. Ask what is included, how long it takes and whether treatment starts on the same day. A written plan before any work begins gives you time to think.

4. How are costs explained?

Ask for an itemised written estimate before treatment and ask what happens if the plan changes. Find out how payment works, whether a deposit is requested and whether the clinic works with your insurer. Be wary of any listing that gives a price without saying what it covers. HealthNaro shows prices only when a clinic has supplied them.

5. What does your insurance or the public system cover?

Dental cover is separate from medical cover in many places. Ask your insurer, or the local public scheme where one exists, what it pays for and what you pay. Arrangements differ widely: the UK's NHS, for example, publishes information on its dental services, and other countries run their systems in other ways. Our Iceland guide for visitors and new residents shows how this can work in one country.

6. What happens in an emergency?

Ask what the clinic does if you have a broken tooth or severe pain outside normal hours. Some clinics run an on-call arrangement, some refer to a hospital and some do neither. Knowing this before you need it saves time later.

7. How are infection control and sterilisation handled?

You can ask in plain terms how instruments are cleaned and sterilised, whether single-use items are used where they should be, and how the clinic follows its national guidance. A good clinic is used to the question and answers it openly.

8. Who will see me, and will I see the same person again?

Larger clinics may involve several dentists, hygienists and specialists. Ask who is responsible for your plan, whether there is a named dentist and how referrals to a specialist work.

9. How are my records stored and shared?

Ask how your records are kept, whether you can have a copy of your notes and x-rays, and how to move them if you leave. Dental x-rays are often small digital files, so a copy is usually easy to provide on request.

10. What do you advise for home care?

A dentist's advice on daily care should be clear and consistent. The NHS advises brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about two minutes, and cleaning every surface of every tooth. Ask whether the dentist's advice is the same for you and why.

How to compare options

Make a short list of two or three clinics near your home or workplace and put the same ten questions to each. Compare the written answers rather than the impressions from a website. Look at practical factors such as opening hours, travel time and whether the clinic can see you quickly if something goes wrong.

You can browse dentistry listings on HealthNaro and read what a first visit involves in our guide to a dental check-up and cleaning. The general dentistry page lists dentists who provide routine care. If you would like help finding a clinic in a particular town, you can send a free, non-medical inquiry without any medical history.

Frequently asked questions

How soon after moving should I see a dentist?

There is no fixed rule. Many people book a routine check once they have settled, rather than waiting for a problem. Your previous dentist may be able to advise on how often you need one.

Should I bring my old dental records?

If you can, yes. Recent x-rays and a summary of past treatment help a new dentist avoid repeating tests and understand your history.

Is cheaper care a sign of poorer care?

Price alone tells you little. Ask what is included, who does the work and how follow-up is handled, and compare like with like.

Can I ask for a second opinion on a treatment plan?

Yes. A dentist should be comfortable with that, particularly for larger or more expensive plans.

General information only

This article is general information and not dental or medical advice. If you have severe pain, facial swelling or difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek urgent medical care locally.