How to find a dentist in France
Your options for finding routine and emergency dental care as well as English speaking practitioners
If you have recently moved to France, you may need to contact several different practices before you find a dentist that can look after your routine check-ups and care
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Knowing how and where to find a dentist in France is important whether you have moved here and would like to register at a practice or are visiting and need to see a dentist in an emergency.
There is a general concern that there are not currently enough dentists in France so it can be a challenge to find one that will take you on as a new patient.
Just as with doctors in France, the number of dentists covering an area depends on the region.
If you have recently moved to France, you may need to contact several different practices before you find a dentist that can look after your routine check-ups and care.
Use Doctolib to find a dentist in France
One of the best ways to find a dentist in France is to search online using Doctolib.
Start by typing Chirurgien-dentiste (dental surgeon) into the main search box.
The site also allows you to choose by location as well as language spoken - just click on Langues parlées beneath the search bar, choose Anglais, then Afficher les Résultats.
Not all dentists in France are registered on the Doctolib site and you will normally have to phone to make an appointment if you are a new patient.
English speaking dentists in Paris
If you would prefer an appointment in English, the Australian Embassy website has a list of English speaking dentists in the Paris region.
Try asking locally or on Facebook groups for dentist recommendations
It might be useful to ask neighbours and friends or your local pharmacy or mairie if they can recommend a dentist to you.
There are also hundreds of Facebook groups for communities and areas all across France, both for French speaking residents and expatriates.
You can join these and post a question to ask if anyone can suggest how to find a dentist in your area or maybe knows of English speaking dentists you could try.
Finding a dentist in an emergency
Needing to find a dentist in France in an emergency can be a worry but there are several options to try.
On weekends and bank holidays, dentistes de garde or emergency dentists cover different communes throughout France.
You can ask in your local pharmacy and will often find a list of these dentists displayed in their window.
You can also call 15, the number for medical emergencies, and they will be able to help you with information.
Your nearest university hospital (CHU) may have a dental department which could see you in the case of a dental emergency or urgence dentaire.
Search the hospital website or call their main reception number first to get the dental department number.
Again, you can also call 15 to ask for help finding the nearest university hospital to you.
Lastly, there are a number of dental companies such as Asude in Limoges or SOS Dentaire in Paris that provide one off appointments for urgent care.
To find one of these, type in urgence dentaire plus your closest town, city or department into a search engine.
Dentist in France search tips
You will need patience to find a dentist in France as it may take several tries before you reach one that can accept you as a new patient.
It can be a good idea to widen your search area to give you more options, particularly if you are in a rural area or small town.
Once you find a dentist in France, do not be surprised if you have to wait several months for an appointment.
