Chez le dentiste

Toolkit: Chez Le Dentiste

Much like a trip to the doctor’s, the thought of going to see a dentist in France may seem a little intimidating at first. To help you out, we have compiled together some useful vocabulary and top tips in order to make your next trip to the dentist’s (or ‘chez le dentiste’ as they say in French) as stress-free as possible!

How Do I Make An Appointment?

Referred to as a “dentiste” or “chirurgiens-dentiste” in France, you will be able find a dentist in France in the yellow pages (pagesjaunes.com), or ask at your local Town Hall to find out more details. Alternatively, you can also use MonDocteur (https://www.mondocteur.fr/) to find your nearest dental surgery and book an appointment online in a matter of seconds – all you need to do is enter your address and select which times you are available!

How Much Will It Cost?

The majority of dentists operate within the general framework of the French public health system. Within this set-up, the French government sets the official costs for dental charges and the patient will then pay the dentist upfront following the appointment. Consequently, you can receive a reimbursement from the social security system at 70% of the official rate and your own health insurance should be able to top up the rest. Whilst you will have to pay the costs for the appointment upfront immediately, unlike other forms of medical treatment, you will not have to pay a €1 surcharge. The charge for a basic consultation is usually €23.

If you require special treatment, make sure to consult the price list, as you will often have to pay up front before you can claim anything back! Be careful if you make an appointment to see a dentist on a Sunday or on a public holiday, as there will be additional surcharges, but these can also be reimbursed.

Vocab

Dental surgery = Cabinet dentaire
Checkup = une consultation initiale
Teeth = les dents
Wisdom Tooth = la dent de sagesse
Gums = la gencive

I have … = J’ai …

… a broken tooth = une dent cassée
… a cavity = une carrie
I’ve got toothache = J’ai mal aux dents

I need … = J’ai besoin de …

… root canal treatment = un canal dentaire
…. teeth cleaning = un détartrage