Not been to the dentist in years? How to pick it up again

As a dentist at Tandarts West in Rotterdam West, I hear it almost every week from a new patient: sorry, I have not been to the dentist in years. Often said with lowered eyes, as if punishment will follow. It will not. I am mostly glad you are here. However long it has been, there is almost always more possible than you think, and it starts with one calm appointment. In this article I walk you through what to expect.

You are not alone

The Health Survey by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that in 2025, 81.8 percent of people in the Netherlands visited a dentist at least once. So almost one in five did not, in a single year. So you are certainly no exception. The reasons we hear most often in our practice:

• Fear. A bad experience in the past, fear of pain or of the sound of the drill.
• Embarrassment. The longer it has been, the higher the threshold to go again.
• Costs. Uncertainty about what it will cost and what the insurance covers.
• Practical reasons. A move to Rotterdam, a dentist who stopped, or not finding a practice that still accepts new patients.
• No complaints. As long as nothing hurts, a check-up does not seem necessary.

That last one is understandable, but it is also why problems grow unnoticed. A cavity or gum inflammation does not hurt at first. By the time you feel something, the treatment is usually bigger. That is why starting now is always better than waiting another year.

It does not matter how long it has been. That you are coming now is what counts.

What happens at the first appointment?

The first appointment at Tandarts West Rotterdam is an intake. It is meant for getting to know each other and mapping out your teeth, not for drilling straight away. This is how it goes.

1. Getting acquainted. We discuss your health, any medication and what you are struggling with. Feel free to tell us if you are afraid or embarrassed, so we can take it into account.
2. A calm look. I examine your teeth and gums. That does not hurt.
3. X-rays if needed. Small X-rays show me what is happening between the teeth and under old fillings.
4. Explanation and plan. You hear honestly what I see and what I advise. We put it in order: what comes first, what can wait.
5. Cost estimate up front. Before we treat anything, you know what it costs.

If you are in pain at that moment, we naturally deal with that first. Otherwise nothing happens in the first appointment that you do not choose yourself. Read more about the examination itself on our page about the dental check-up.

What do we usually find after years without a check-up?

Many people expect the worst. In practice it is often not as bad as feared, although you only know for sure after the examination. This is what we see most.

• Tartar. Almost everyone who has not been for a long time has it. Our dental hygienist removes it and your mouth feels fresher straight away. Read more in our article about removing and preventing tartar.
• Inflamed gums. Bleeding gums when brushing are a signal. At an early stage, gum inflammation recovers well. If it lingers for years, it can turn into periodontitis.
• One or more cavities. Usually solved with a white filling.
• Old fillings or crowns that leak. We replace those before they cause problems.

Sometimes more is needed, for example a root canal treatment or replacing a tooth that can no longer be saved. Even then: we discuss the options first and you decide.

Afraid or embarrassed? How we keep it manageable

Fear of the dentist is one of the main reasons people stay away for years. At Tandarts West Rotterdam we reduce that fear step by step, instead of steamrolling over it. This is how:

• Extra time. No rush, but room for explanation and questions.
• Just getting acquainted first. If you wish, nothing happens in your mouth the first time.
• A stop signal. Raise your hand and I stop immediately. You stay in control.
• Small steps. We start with something simple, so you build confidence.
• Good local anaesthesia. A treatment does not have to hurt.

Read what this approach looks like on our page about the dentist for anxious patients in Rotterdam. Practical tips for the day itself are in our article about a comfortable dental visit.

Dental phobia or just nervous?

Being nervous about the dentist is normal. With a true dental phobia the fear is so strong that you cancel appointments for years, sleep badly before a visit or feel sick at the thought. You are welcome then too: we start with a conversation, not a treatment. With severe fear we think along about a referral for EMDR or cognitive behavioural therapy, so the fear is tackled at its core rather than numbed. Read more about our approach in the article on all treatment options for dental anxiety.

What does it cost to start again?

Dental rates are set by law by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) and apply as a maximum for every dentist in the Netherlands. For getting started, these maximum rates apply in 2026:

• Intake for a new patient (C001): 57.01 euros
• Small X-ray (X10): 21.00 euros per image
• Dental cleaning (M03): 16.82 euros per five minutes
• Periodic check-up afterwards (C002): 28.51 euros

If more is needed, you always receive a cost estimate first for treatments from 250 euros. That way there are no surprises and you can spread the treatment over several appointments. All amounts are on our page with dental rates.

Up to the age of 18, most dental care is covered by the basic health insurance. From 18, a supplementary dental insurance often covers part of it, depending on your policy. Read what to expect on our page about insurance coverage. Regular dental care for adults does not count towards the deductible (eigen risico).

Finding a new dentist in Rotterdam: what to look for

When looking for another dentist, most people only look at the distance. That makes sense, but after years without a check-up a few other things matter more. These are the questions we advise patients to ask before registering with a dentist nearby:

• Is the practice accepting new patients, and how long is the waiting list? A dentist without a waiting list saves months. At Tandarts West you can usually be seen within a week.
• Do you get an introduction first? A good practice starts with looking and explaining, not drilling.
• Are the costs clear in advance? Ask for an estimate based on the NZa rates. Those are the same by law, so a dentist who seems much more expensive is probably charging extra procedures.
• Is there help with fear? Extra time, a stop signal and a calm introduction make the difference.
• Does the team speak your language? In Rotterdam West we speak English, Turkish, Arabic and Berber besides Dutch.
• Is the practice easy to reach? Taandersstraat 121 is within walking distance of Coolhaven and Delfshaven metro stations, with trams 4 and 8 at the door.

Not sure whether you may switch while still registered with another practice? You always may. You do not need to cancel your old dentist yourself: with your consent we request your records.

No dentist any more? How to arrange it in Rotterdam

Not every practice in Rotterdam still accepts new patients. Tandarts West in Rotterdam West does: we are accepting new patients, without a waiting list. This is how it works:

1. Register online. Filling in the registration form takes about three minutes. Your partner and children are welcome too.
2. We get in touch. Because we have no waiting list, you hear from us within a few days and can usually be seen within a week.
3. We arrange your records. If you had a dentist before, we request your dental records there with your consent. A dentist keeps them for twenty years. If there are no records any more, we simply start afresh.

Our practice is at Taandersstraat 121, easy to reach from Delfshaven, Middelland, Spangen and the rest of Rotterdam West. If you are in pain now, have a swollen cheek or a broken tooth, do not wait for the intake but call 010 846 6539 or check our emergency page.

Finally: nobody at Tandarts West Rotterdam will ask why you stayed away so long. We ask what you need to keep it up from now on. One appointment to take a look, a step-by-step plan and regular check-ups after that. It can be that simple.