When was the last time you visited a dentist?

There’s a reason the Dutch generally have a beautiful, healthy smile: it’s the norm to visit the dentist and hygienist at least twice a year.

Even though dental care is not, as a rule, covered under basic insurance policies, for a supplement you can get everything covered, from your regular dental check-ups to a full-blown root canal.

What’s the catch?

There’s one twist though: most insurers put a cap on the amount of reimbursement you can claim in a calendar year. 

So, what does that mean exactly? Well, it means that you can’t carry your dental cover allowance over into the new year. Therefore, if you haven’t used up your 2017 allowance but have a niggling toothache, or you skipped your last check-up for lack of time, it would be a good idea to book a visit before December 31 comes around.

Dental care providers are used to an end of year rush as customers hasten to squeeze an appointment in before the year ends.

Maaike van Schaik, manager of Amsterdam dentist Tandarts Jordaan, explains: “It’s normal for us to get a lot of bookings in November and December. New clients come on board as the insurance changeover period arrives and current clients book in for last minute check-ups or to get an overview of the costs they can expect in the coming year.”

Tandarts Jordaan: Dental care in English

Tandarts Jordaan is one of the dental practices in the capital which, in addition to offering the highest quality of dental care, also tailors the experience to expats. All staff speak excellent English, and what is more, all their correspondence is provided in English too. So, expats don’t need to worry about missing nuances when discussing either their dental care or its cost.

Preventative medicine

Preventative care can be covered by your supplementary dental premium plan; however, with at least 60 different health insurance packages, the coverage you get varies greatly. For instance, some may cover your regular check-ups or dental hygienist visits, others won’t. It’s worth investigating this in detail.

Maarten Vaartjes, dentist and owner of expat dentist Tandarts Jordaan, explains: “Good dental care focuses on preventing dental problems. Routine cleanings at the hygienist rid the mouth of harmful bacteria and ensure that you can enjoy a lifetime of exceptional oral health.”

Compare policies

If you’re looking to find a new dentist or change insurer, then it is worth comparing policies. Help can be found on sites like Zorgwijzer.nl, a comparison site which provides an up-to-date overview of insurers and policy options in English.

It’s also worth asking questions about the practice you’re considering such as: does the practice have an in-house hygienist? Good quality practices, such as Tandarts Jordaan, often have in-house hygienists so you can be assured of the same quality of care and also save time on appointments by getting all of your dental care under one roof.

Make sure you regularly visit your dentist

It has been well documented that oral health has a direct impact on all sorts of areas of your general health and well-being, so it’s doubly worth keeping up with your dentist visits and making sure that you can bring in the new year with a happy, healthy smile.

Register at Tandarts Jordaan now

Interested in registering at Tandarts Jordaan? For more information, fill in the form below or call the practice: 020 612 12 43.

Opening hours:

• Monday - Wednesday: 8.30am - 9.30pm
• Thursday & Friday: 8.30am - 5.30pm
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: 9.30am - 6pm

Address: 

• Westerstraat 176, 1015 MR Amsterdam