In short: The first appointment is an examination and a conversation, not a treatment. We take a full set of findings, go through them with you on screen, and write down what you want to achieve. If a larger treatment is involved you receive a written plan and take it home with you. Nothing is signed on the spot. Bring your insurance card, a list of your medications, your Bonusheft if you have one, and any existing X-rays.
If you have recently moved to Germany, the dental system here works differently from most countries — and the paperwork is often more intimidating than the treatment. This is what actually happens at a first appointment with us.
Before you come in
You receive a link and complete the medical history form on your own device, in your own time. You can look up medication names instead of spelling them from memory at the reception desk, and we have your details before you arrive rather than spending your appointment time collecting them. If you prefer paper, you get paper.
We treat and advise in German, Spanish, English and Portuguese. Tell us your preferred language when you book, and that is the language your appointment will be in — not a translated version of a German conversation.
What to bring
- Your health insurance card (elektronische Gesundheitskarte), or your insurance details if you are privately insured
- A list of your medications, including blood thinners and bisphosphonates
- Your Bonusheft if you have one. This small booklet records your check-ups and increases the statutory subsidy towards dentures later. If you do not have one, ask us to start it
- Any X-rays or records from a previous dentist, in Germany or abroad
- An allergy card or anticoagulation card, if you carry one
- A companion, if you would like one. Always welcome
The appointment itself
We start with the conversation, not the instrument. What brought you here, what has bothered you in the past, what do you want to achieve — and what should definitely not happen. That last point matters more than it sounds: if you have had a bad experience somewhere, you usually have a specific limit. Tell us, and we record it.
Then the examination: teeth, gums including pocket depth measurements, jaw joint, soft tissue, existing dental work. X-rays where needed. We use an intraoral camera so you see on screen what we are describing — that replaces any amount of explanation.
Understanding the cost side
If a larger treatment is needed, you receive a Heil- und Kostenplan — a written treatment and cost plan. It goes to your insurer for approval before treatment begins, and it separates what your insurance contributes from what you pay yourself. Statutory insurers pay a fixed subsidy based on the diagnosis, not a percentage of the bill, which surprises most people arriving from another system. We explain your plan line by line in your language.
You take it home, read it, submit it to any supplementary insurance you hold, and get a second opinion if you want one. That is your right and, for larger treatments, sensible.
How long it takes
Allow around 45 to 60 minutes. If you are in acute pain it works differently: we deal with the cause of the pain first, and the full examination follows in a second appointment. Say on the phone that it is urgent — we keep time free every day for acute cases.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak German?
No. We treat and advise in German, Spanish, English and Portuguese. Tell us your preferred language when booking.
Will I be treated at the first appointment?
Usually not — it is an examination and consultation. If you are in acute pain we treat the cause immediately.
What is a Bonusheft and do I need one?
It is a booklet in which your dentist records each yearly check-up. After five and ten documented years, the statutory subsidy towards dentures increases. It costs nothing and it is worth starting at your first visit.
I am privately insured or self-paying. Is that a problem?
No. Bring your insurance details, and we will show you before treatment what will be invoiced. Payment in instalments is available for larger treatments.
What does the first appointment cost?
For patients with statutory insurance, examination and consultation are covered. If any additional service is needed, we say so beforehand — not on the invoice.
This article provides general information and does not replace a dental examination. Medically reviewed by Dr. F. J. Rodríguez Ruíz, MSc., dentist at A+ Dental, Düsseldorf-Oberkassel.