Dutch dentist experience…

Since moving to the Netherlands, I have taken the necessary steps to ensure I have the necessary health insurance. Something that I wanted to get done straight away! Mainly because it’s yet something else ticked off my long list of things to do here.

I just want things like that out of the way so I can concentrate on settling into my new job and exploring my new surroundings. But, I’ve also heard from some colleagues that if you don’t do this within three months, you face a fine, plus they backdate those three months’ payments.

Unfortunately, there were a few who managed to get caught out by this and told me that had to pay it all in one go! So, as soon as I moved into my new flat, it was at the top of my to do list!

The next step was registering with a doctor and a dentist. Not necessarily compulsory, but if I fell ill etc, I could make an appointment straight away.

Having said that, however, the dentist was something that I was quite keen on having sorted out and being registered with straight away. I’ve always been quite particular about making sure I attend my 6-monthly appointment.

A few years ago now, I had an abscess after a bodged routine filling from a butcher dentist. Funnily enough, he didn’t stay overly long at this particular dental surgery! I was literally in agony for a whole weekend, and I do not recommend the NHS helpline – as good (ish) as the NHS is in general! I did not appreciate this particular service! The frustration came when I knew all I needed was a dose of antibiotics and a root canal.

Then, when Monday morning finally came and I made my way to the surgery, requesting an emergency appointment with a one-sided swollen hamster cheek face. I was told by said dentist that I needed a dose of antibiotics, which would make the swelling go down. Then go back in a couple of days so that he could actually see inside my mouth!

However, by this point, it had already been several days, the abscess was in full swing, and my one-sided, swollen hamster cheek showed no sign of going down as the dentist had said.

Then, when (I’ll spare you the details!) it burst, I immediately rushed back to the surgery, where I thankfully saw a different dentist. She managed to prise my jaw open, after informing me that, really, she should be referring me to hospital by this point! Unfortunately, it was too late for the tooth by now, which had to be extracted! All of which, I’m certain, could have been avoided if only I’d had that first initial appointment with someone else and not the butcher dentist!

Needless to say, after that ordeal, I am more particular than before! Any fraction of pain, and I start fretting and head straight to the dentist’s surgery!

Part of the registration process here, or with this particular surgery at least, was to make an appointment to show your ID. I’d applied online to register and to have a general check-up on the same day. The surgery wasn’t far from the school, just a 10-minute walk, so I made my appointment for one night after work.

In the small, petite waiting room, the chairs were shaped as individual teeth. I found them somewhat different and a little odd. And also not that comfortable.

My dentist must have been running behind time, as I was a quarter of an hour late going in. Very similar to dental surgeries back in England, really! I’ve never been called into my appointment on time! He did the usual checks and asked me if I’ve had any problems, etc lately. He then informs me that I need a filling in a tooth in my lower left jaw. There is a tiny hole that needs sorting out, he continues to explain. So, I make another appointment for a week’s time. Again, a time slot for after work. Then I can just jump on the tram home. Where I planned to lie on the sofa as soon as I got back, feeling sorry for myself a little while until the feeling in my numb cheek came back.

But in the meantime, I had a week to contemplate the filling appointment!

My previous experience had made me so paranoid. Most of the time during that week, it didn’t bother me. But every so often, I’d really notice if I drank or ate something that was particularly cold. I was adamant it was the beginning of another abscess. Even after reminding myself that I’d just eating something cold. So, of course my teeth aren’t going to like it!

The day of the appointment comes, and I make sure I take my toothbrush to work, so I can freshen up after I’d eaten lunch, like you do when you’ve got a dentist appointment after work! I check myself in and sit and wait once more in the uncomfortable tooth shaped seats. Just wanting to get in the chair and have this over with so I can lounge on the sofa as planned, feeling sorry for myself. The waiting room is quiet; it’s late in the afternoon, so I doubt there will be many people after me.

I’m led into the surgery room down a long, narrow, light corridor, right to the end, into a small room. The Dutch don’t appear to be as shy or private as the English, as all the other surgery doors are open as I walk through the corridor.

The sound of that drill always goes straight through you, doesn’t it? And, I was fully aware that that was what I was heading for myself! Plus the fact that I can’t be doing with needles – petrified of them even! So, I walk down this corridor with tunnel vision. I don’t much fancy seeing some other poor bugger having done what I’m about to receive myself!!

Thankfully, as I’m in the room right at the end of the corridor, I don’t have to worry about anyone walking by and seeing me flinch, squirm or squint in the chair!

I sit in the chair and wait for the dentist to step on the pedal that lowers you down into the almost lying position. Both the dentist and the nurse were being polite and speaking in English. Having their own little conversation. Even though they were only talking about one borrowing the other one’s phone charger later!

My palms are sweaty, and I’m linking and squeezing my fingers together. I open my mouth as he comes closer with the mirror and pointy bent stick thingy that dentists like to poke your gums with. I can feel my fingers squeezing tighter. He does a quick scan with the mirror and poke of the gums and surrounding teeth before selecting the drill piece he needs. That drill bit that grinds the tooth down a bit. This has to be the worst bit! It grinds right on the nerve and vibrates against the tooth, and also seems to be the most prolonged bit!

I was expecting to have an injection beforehand. But, there is no injection! Despite the fact that I’m really not keen on needles or injections. I am slightly worried that I have not received an injection on this occasion! Is that how they do things here? But, I need pain relief!!

I anticipate the next bit of having a regular filling, but then he uses that puffy air thing around the tooth, cleans it, and puts the filler-type stuff in the tooth. He then proceeded to push it down into the tooth. Then slide the spatula type device he used to scoop the filler up with back and forth on the tooth.

And that was it!

All over in less than 5 minutes!

It was, after all, only a tiny hole, but I was expecting a full filling procedure! Slightly lost in translation somewhere, maybe! It just needed retouching. Not a full filling. But, all done and one less thing to worry about! I make my way to the tram to lounge on the sofa at home with a coffee. Teeth all checked and no abscesses creeping in! So I can take a sigh of relief for another six months – hopefully!!