Dental care

Oral healthcare in Tenerife is almost entirely private, with only a limited service provided by the state system for children and emergencies.  The few public dentists are based in health centres, providing emergency care such as extractions or the prescription of antibiotics. 

With private healthcare, of course, you will have to pay the total cost of treatment, however dental care in Tenerife certainly costs less than countries like the UK.  This is one factor that brings an increasing number of ‘medical tourists’ to the island.  But even more important is that the quality of dental care that can be found in a few centres of excellence here is of the highest standard, on par with the best clinics in the world. 

Choosing a dentist

Although Tenerife has excellent oral healthcare facilities, not every dentist falls into that category, so you should take care in making a choice.  Implants that fall out or are made from shoddy materials, archaic technology and diagnoses that are made for profit rather than medical necessity can not only leave the patient in pain or worse, but also severely out of pocket.  It is no wonder that so many people have a fear of sitting in a dentist’s chair. 

On the other hand, a permanent solution to pain and the feeling of self confidence that a good dentist can bring can make an immeasurable difference to your quality of life.  When you are choosing a dentist for you and your family, there are a few things you should look for.  Don’t be afraid to talk to someone at the practice first, or even the dentist, to satisfy yourself that you are going to receive the quality of treatment that you expect:

• Experience and qualifications

A graduate, newly qualified, can start practicing as a dentist.  With a two day top up course, any dentist can perform the surgical procedures required for dental implants.  In short, there is a huge difference in the training, ability and skill of dentists.  If you are considering a procedure such as implants, then look for a member of one of the medical associations such as the German Society of Implantology, D.G.Z.I., or the International Congress of Oral Implantology, I.C.O.I.  These are amongst the bodies that regulate the industry and assure patients that their members have a high level of experience and expertise.  Not only should you look for a dentist with substantial experience, but also one well established in Tenerife.  A long history of satisfied patients is a good testament to the quality of treatment.

• The latest technology

A dentist today has at his disposal an array of new techniques thanks to advances in technology.  From digital 3D x-rays to laser bleaching, a dentist with state of the art technology can provide a more accurate diagnosis and a treatment that is likely to be faster, more effective and longer lasting.  Manny dental practices have failed to invest and are still using fairly archaic equipment.

• The best materials

Dentists use precious metals for the simple reasons that they stand the test of time because they are not corrosive and they have the flexibility required to withstand the high forces involved in chewing.  A surprising number of dentists in Tenerife seek to cut costs, using impure metals with a short lifespan.  Of course this does mean that you will need to go back to the dentist in a few short years for a replacement, which may be why the practice is so common.  Cheap, far eastern implants are much cheaper than the Swiss ones that they copy, but prove to be a false economy on a short space of time.

• Their own laboratory

If you find a dental practice with its own laboratory, then it will cut down on waiting time.  A close link between laboratory technicians and the dentist will make for better fitting of crowns, bridges and prosthetics, allowing the technician to be present during fitting so that the finest of adjustments can be made.  The technician will get a better understanding of the form of your face, ensuring a more aesthetically appealing end result.  The work of dental technicians is often underestimated, but a good one will ensure that you live in snug comfort and that any work is impossible to detect.  Technicians working in a laboratory within the practice will be able to match the surrounding teeth in colour and shape exactly, a huge advantage over practices that need to send impressions to a remote lab.

• Guarantees

A good dentist will guarantee their work for up to two years, but they will also take pride in their work, and if you have problems after that, they may well fix it anyway.  This depends on the attitude of the individual dentist.

• Language

If your Spanish is not fluent then, as in all health issues, you should try to find a practitioner who speaks English.

• Care

Lastly, but definitely not least, is the human factor.  A warm welcome, a friendly team and a professional environment are not just pleasant but quite possibly necessary if you are nervous about visiting the dentist.  Your nerves will also fare better in a light and airy surgery, rather than the walled in dungeons that many dentists seem to prefer to work in.

Beyond general dentistry, cleaning, fillings and extractions, dentists can achieve some incredible things.  No longer does age mean having to live your life on a diet of soup and mashed potatoes, the modern dentist can rebuild bone by harvesting it from another location and ensure that you can always enjoy a high quality of life.

Cost is often a concern where dentists are concerned.  Often a dentist may bamboozle a patient, telling them what needs to be done.  But a good practice should make a diagnosis and then give you the option of separate treatment plans.  They should explain fully the pros and cons of each of the options, as well as the costs.  A well established practice may also have arrangements with a financial institution and provide financing options as well.