English Speaking Dentist

[beamer]

Hi,
I've been away from the Forum for some time and now I'm preparing to come to France for an extended stay and I need some help, which I'm really hoping you Expats will give feedback too.

I have visited BIOLOGIC dentists in the US. If your not familiar with that term they are a small sector of dentist that are fully aware of the dangers of using mercury filled amalgams and also are aware of the interaction of dental work with acupuncture meridians.

I just went to one who told me that the work I need ( Reconstructive Bite , Amalgam removal of 4 mercury fillings and 4 implants and crowns will cost close to 20K)

I would love to be able to get my work done in France if possible. I speak a little French but certainly not enought to be able to discuss my needs and understand the technical issues so I'd stongly prefer to find a dentist who spoke at least a little English as well as one who would be versed in Reconstructive Techniques.

I'm not in the French Health Care System yet as I'm still married to an American technically ( long story) and I will be changing over - getting divorced etc... but not before I need to get this work done, so I will be paying for my dental work.

The US dentist is trying to steer me to go to one of his friends in Switzerland but I'm really thinking that as Medicine is so advanced in France that I might be able to just get it done in Paris?

I'd SOOOO SOOO appreciate any and all feedback from those of you who have had experiences in this area.


Thanks,
Beamer ( showing you my teeth)

[Bevdeforges]

Hi - from a fellow Massachusetts person who now lives in France. (Also a long story.)

As far as English speaking dentists go, check the list of English speaking medical professionals on the Paris Consulate website http://france.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/paris-doctors.pdf
The one caveat is that most of the dentists listed are located in Paris, and they are often considerably more expensive than in the rest of France. Doctors and dentists have the choice here of being "agréé" or "non-agrée" - depending on whether they charge the sécu standard fees or set their own. Dental reimbursement under the French sécu system isn't that great, so non-agrée dentists are pretty common, especially in Paris.

I can tell you that my local dentist here (who speaks English, but doesn't admit to it) uses a non-metallic amalgam for regular fillings. This leads me to suspect that it is standard throughout France.

Don't know anything about implants (and don't really want to) but I can tell you that crowns run something over 700€ each if you want them to look like teeth (i.e. enamel crowns rather than metal ones). But I must say that plain old fillings and root canals and such are much, much cheaper than in the US.

There was also a ruling a LONG time ago (not sure if it's still current) that allowed a US taxpayer to deduct travel costs when going to Germany to get dental treatment, because in the end it wound up being cheaper than what the dental work alone would have cost in the US. Worth checking out, anyhow, no matter where you decide to have it done.
Cheers,
Bev

[minesthechevy]

There are a lot of Dutch dentists in France, dunno why, its just the way it is.

Almost ALL the Dutch speak more than passable english, this might help to improve your chances.

There is a Dutch dentist for example in Tour du Pin Isere 38.

[beamer]

Thank you all for answering this question for me.... I've noted down the list of dentists and I'm now trying to sort out how to approach them... to sort out what I need to know.

I'm also looking for what would be considered a HEALTH FOOD STORE in Paris? Or online in France. I'm on a special diet that requires some items I'm not finding in the local Le Claire or Carrfore... My French is better but not sufficient for me to function without great difficulty on anything but the most superficial level. I live a very solitary life and don't get to interact with the French much other than in the most mundane situations such as buying things. I'm at home where I paint and write most of the time. I understand more and more but miss being able to be verbose in French!

Thanks so much for your help, it is GREATLY appreciated.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by beamer

I'm also looking for what would be considered a HEALTH FOOD STORE in Paris? Or online in France. I'm on a special diet that requires some items I'm not finding in the local Le Claire or Carrfore...

There must be some such store somewhere in Paris, but I don't know of one offhand. Auchan is developing an interesting "bio" foods section, but it depends a bit on just what you're looking for. There is also what appears to be a chain called Bio Coop (Biocoop - magasin bio) that is springing up here in the suburbs around Paris. Mostly strictly bio products (lots of alternative grains and flours and vegan type foodstuffs you can't find anywhere else), but they might have what you're looking for.

OTOH, there are tons of healthfood stores in Germany. Friends of mine who live here in France make regular runs to Germany to stock up on some of the items they need, and often offer to pick up things for me while they are there. With the new TGV line that runs to Strasbourg, it makes a nice weekend getaway.
Cheers,
Bev