Dentistry

This page helps you find and choose a dental provider. The related health topic page, Dentistry health topic, explains common conditions; here the focus is on who provides care and how to pick between them.

What dental care covers

Dental care looks after the teeth, gums and the structures of the mouth and jaw. It includes prevention and routine care, treatment of decay and gum problems, replacing missing teeth, straightening teeth and surgery in and around the mouth.

Who provides it

A general dentist is the usual first contact and provides check-ups, cleaning, fillings and referrals. Our taxonomy also lists specialists: orthodontists (moving teeth with braces or aligners), periodontists (gum disease), endodontists (root canal treatment), prosthodontists (crowns, bridges and dentures), paediatric dentists (children), oral and maxillofacial surgeons (surgery of the mouth, jaw and face) and practitioners offering cosmetic dentistry. Dental hygienists and therapists often work in the same practice. Titles and training routes differ by country, so ask what qualification the person treating you holds.

Main services and subcategories

HealthNaro groups providers under General Dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry. Services listed include consultations, cleaning, fillings, root canal treatment, extractions, implants, crowns and bridges, dentures, braces, clear aligners, whitening, veneers and dental X-rays. Each clinic profile shows only the services the clinic has told us about.

How to choose a provider

• Check registration with the national dental regulator, and confirm that any specialist title is on the register.
• Read the verification label on the profile. Public listing means the details come from public sources. Contact verified means we confirmed the contact details. Reviewed by HealthNaro means we compared the listing with evidence. Credentials verified means a named person checked a register or document. Labels describe what we checked, not the quality of care.
• Look at location, opening hours, languages and whether the practice handles emergencies.
• Ask about sterilisation practice, how X-rays are used and who carries out each step.
• Ask for a written treatment plan and estimate, including what happens if the plan changes.

What to prepare

Bring a list of any medicines you take and any allergies, details of earlier dental work, and notes on what is bothering you and when it started. If you have dental insurance, bring the card and ask whether the clinic can bill it directly. Do not send medical records through our forms.

Cost, insurance and access

Costs depend on the treatment, the materials used and the number of visits. Ask what the estimate covers and what could change it. HealthNaro shows prices only where a source and date exist.

Free request

If you would rather not compare clinics yourself, tell us what you need and where you are through the free request form. With your consent we share only the details you choose with suitable clinics. HealthNaro is a directory and does not provide dental care.