Your molar is throbbing at 2 a.m. and the only dentist within cycling distance speaks Dutch.

You do not need to become fluent to get your tooth fixed. You need a handful of Dutch dentist phrases that cover booking, describing pain, and understanding what happens next. Most practices in the Netherlands are happy to help you in English if you ask, but starting in Dutch shows respect and often gets you a faster, smoother appointment. This guide gives you the exact sentences, the vocabulary for pain, and a realistic dialogue you can rehearse before you call.

The Dutch healthcare system works differently from what many newcomers expect. You usually register with a huisarts (GP) for general care, but for teeth you go straight to a tandarts (dentist). You do not need a referral. You can call or book online. If you have a Dutch health insurance policy, basic dental care for children is covered, but adult dental care is usually not included in the basic package unless you buy extra dental insurance (aanvullende tandartsverzekering). Always check your policy. For integration exams, dental vocabulary can appear in KNM and reading sections, so learning these phrases helps twice: for your mouth and for your inburgering.

Booking an appointment: the first phone call

The receptionist will ask a few standard questions. Listen for afspraak (appointment), klacht (complaint or symptom), and pijn (pain). Here is a simple script.

You: Goedemiddag, ik wil graag een afspraak maken bij de tandarts.
(Good afternoon, I would like to make an appointment with the dentist.)

Receptionist: Waar heeft u last van?
(What are you experiencing? / Where does it hurt?)

You: Ik heb pijn aan mijn kies. Hij is gevoelig voor koud water.
(I have pain in my molar. It is sensitive to cold water.)

Receptionist: Kunt u morgen om 10 uur?
(Can you come tomorrow at 10?)

You: Ja, dat is goed. Dank u wel.
(Yes, that is fine. Thank you.)

If you need to cancel, say: Ik moet mijn afspraak helaas afzeggen. (Unfortunately I have to cancel my appointment.) Many practices charge a fee for late cancellations, so call as soon as you know.

When you arrive, check in at the desk: Ik heb een afspraak om 10 uur. (I have an appointment at 10.) They may ask for your verzekeringspas (insurance card) and identiteitsbewijs (ID).

Describing pain: words that get you treated faster

Dutch dentists are used to vague descriptions, but precision helps. Use these building blocks.

  • Ik heb pijn aan... (I have pain in...) + mijn tand (my tooth), mijn kies (my molar), mijn tandvlees (my gums), mijn kaak (my jaw).
  • Het doet pijn. (It hurts.)
  • Het is gevoelig. (It is sensitive.)
  • Het klopt. (It is throbbing.)
  • Het steekt. (It is a sharp, stabbing pain.)
  • Het is een zeurende pijn. (It is a dull, nagging pain.)
  • Het doet pijn als ik bijt. (It hurts when I bite.)
  • Het doet pijn als ik koud/warm drink. (It hurts when I drink cold/hot.)
  • Mijn tandvlees bloedt. (My gums are bleeding.)
  • Ik ben bang voor de tandarts. (I am afraid of the dentist.) This is important. Dutch dentists can offer extra sedation or a gentle approach if you say this.

You can also point and say hier (here) or daar (there). If the pain moves, say De pijn zit soms hier, soms daar. (The pain is sometimes here, sometimes there.)

For intensity, use een beetje (a little), behoorlijk (quite), heel erg (very bad), ondraaglijk (unbearable). A simple scale: Op een schaal van 1 tot 10 is het een 7. (On a scale of 1 to 10 it is a 7.)

"The first time I called the dentist I just said 'pijn, kies, help' and she laughed kindly and booked me in. Now I can say 'Ik heb een zeurende pijn aan mijn linkeronderkaak.' It feels good to explain it myself."
, Marta, inburgering student in Utrecht

During the checkup: understanding instructions

The dentist will tell you what to do. Common commands:

  • Doe uw mond open. (Open your mouth.)
  • Doe uw mond wijd open. (Open wide.)
  • Bijten, alstublieft. (Bite, please.)
  • Ontspant u maar. (Just relax.)
  • Slikt u maar. (Swallow.)
  • U mag uw mond spoelen. (You can rinse your mouth.)
  • Ik ga nu een foto maken. (I am going to take an X-ray now.)
  • U voelt een prikje. (You will feel a small prick.) This is the local anaesthetic.
  • Is het nog gevoelig? (Is it still sensitive?)

If you do not understand, say Kunt u dat herhalen, alstublieft? (Can you repeat that, please?) or Wat bedoelt u? (What do you mean?) It is better to ask than to guess. Most dentists speak some English, but they appreciate the effort.

After treatment, you may hear U moet niet eten voor een uur. (You must not eat for an hour.) or Neem een pijnstiller als het nodig is. (Take a painkiller if needed.) Ask for written instructions if you are unsure: Kunt u dat opschrijven? (Can you write that down?)

Emergency and out-of-hours care

If you have severe pain outside office hours, you need the tandartsposten (emergency dental service). Search online for tandartspost plus your city. Call first. The line may ask: Wat is het probleem? (What is the problem?) Say Ik heb acute tandpijn. (I have acute toothache.) or Mijn kroon is eraf gevallen. (My crown has fallen off.)

For a swollen face or difficulty breathing, call your huisarts or the emergency number. Do not wait.

If you are new and have not found a dentist yet, ask your huisarts for a recommendation, or check with your gemeente (municipality) for a list of practices. In some cities, waiting lists exist, so register early even if you feel fine.

Dutch dentist phrases for the front desk and payment

Money conversations can be awkward. Here is what you might hear and say.

  • Heeft u een verwijzing nodig? (Do you need a referral?) Usually no for dentists.
  • Wat is uw verzekering? (What is your insurance?)
  • Ik heb een aanvullende tandartsverzekering. (I have extra dental insurance.)
  • Wat kost een controle? (What does a checkup cost?)
  • Krijg ik een rekening? (Will I get a bill?)
  • Kan ik pin betalen? (Can I pay by debit card?)
  • Mag ik een betalingsregeling? (Can I pay in installments?)

Prices vary by practice and treatment. Always ask for a prijsopgave (quote) before major work. Your insurance company can tell you what is covered. Do not rely on a friend's estimate.

If you are doing your inburgering or NT2 exam, dental topics can appear in listening and reading. Practising these phrases helps you in real life and in the exam. For structured practice, see inburgering A2 and the KNM section, which covers Dutch healthcare basics. If speaking is your weak spot, the spreken page has dialogues you can repeat aloud. And when you feel ready, try a mock exam to see how you handle real questions.

Practice checklist: from panic to prepared

  • Write down your main symptom in Dutch before you call. Keep it to one sentence.
  • Learn the difference between tand and kies. Front teeth are tanden, back teeth are kiezen.
  • Practise saying Ik heb pijn aan mijn... with different body parts.
  • Memorise three pain descriptions: zeurend, stekend, kloppend.
  • Know how to say you are nervous: Ik ben zenuwachtig.
  • Save your dentist's number in your phone under Tandarts.
  • Check your insurance policy for dental coverage before you go.
  • If you do not understand, always ask Kunt u dat herhalen?
  • After the visit, review what you learned. Add new words to a notebook or app.
  • Use the Dutch Fluency resources to build general medical vocabulary.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak Dutch at the dentist in the Netherlands?

No, many dentists speak English, especially in cities. But speaking some Dutch helps you book faster, understand instructions, and feel more in control. It also shows you are making an effort, which Dutch people appreciate.

How do I say "I have a toothache" in Dutch?

Ik heb tandpijn. For a specific tooth: Ik heb pijn aan mijn kies. If it is throbbing: Mijn kies klopt.

What is the Dutch word for dentist?

Tandarts. The practice is tandartspraktijk. The emergency service is tandartspost.

Can I get dental care without insurance?

Yes, you can pay yourself. Prices vary. Ask for a prijsopgave first. Some practices offer payment plans. If you have a low income, check with your gemeente for possible support.

How do I make a dentist appointment in Dutch?

Call and say: Ik wil graag een afspraak maken bij de tandarts. Then describe your symptom. If you prefer online booking, many practices have a website form.

What if I don't understand the dentist's instructions?

Say Kunt u dat herhalen, alstublieft? or Kunt u dat langzamer zeggen? (Can you say that slower?) You can also ask Spreekt u Engels? (Do you speak English?)

Is dental care covered by Dutch basic health insurance?

For adults, most dental care is not covered by the basic package. Children under 18 are often covered. You can buy additional dental insurance. Check your policy or ask your insurer.

Where can I practise Dutch medical vocabulary for inburgering?

The KNM exam includes healthcare topics. Use the KNM practice and speaking exercises. For a full simulation, try the mock exam. Always check official information at DUO and Mijn Inburgering for exam details, as rules can change.

Your teeth do not care whether you speak perfect Dutch. They care about getting fixed. Learn ten phrases, breathe, and make the call. The receptionist on the other end has heard worse Dutch than yours, and they will help you. Succes!