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English Phrases at the Dentist

A dental visit is stressful enough without a language problem. These phrases help you book an appointment, explain exactly where it hurts, understand the treatment and ask the right questions afterwards.

38 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Making an appointment

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to make an appointment with the dentist.

A2
Diş hekiminden randevu almak istiyorum.
  • Are you a new patient?
  • Is it urgent?

It's an emergency. I'm in a lot of pain.

B1
Acil bir durum. Çok ağrım var.
  • Can you come in at two o'clock today?
  • We'll fit you in as soon as we can.

I'm a new patient.

A2

UK: "fill in this form".

Yeni hastayım.
  • Welcome. Could you fill out this form, please?

I need a checkup and a cleaning.

B1

UK: "a check-up and a scale and polish".

Kontrol ve diş temizliği yaptırmam gerekiyor.
  • We have an opening next Tuesday.

Do you have anything sooner?

B1
Daha erken bir randevunuz var mı?
  • We just had a cancellation tomorrow morning.

Do you take my insurance?

B1

In the UK, ask "Are you taking on new NHS patients?"

Sigortamı kabul ediyor musunuz?
  • Which provider do you have?

I need to reschedule my appointment.

B1

UK: "move my appointment" is also common.

Randevumu değiştirmem gerekiyor.
  • Sure. What day works for you?

Describing the problem

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I have a toothache.

A1

Also: "My tooth hurts." British speakers often drop the article: "I've got toothache."

Dişim ağrıyor.
  • Which tooth is it?
  • How long has it been hurting?

It's this tooth at the back, on the left.

A2
Arkadaki, sol taraftaki bu diş.
  • Upper or lower?

It hurts when I eat something cold.

A2
Soğuk bir şey yediğimde ağrıyor.
  • That sounds like sensitivity. Let's take a look.

It hurts when I bite down.

B1
Isırınca ağrıyor.
  • Let me check that tooth.

My teeth are sensitive to hot and cold.

B1
Dişlerim sıcağa ve soğuğa karşı hassas.
  • A special toothpaste may help.

I think I've lost a filling.

B1

Also: "A filling fell out."

Sanırım bir dolgum düştü.
  • Let's take a look and replace it.

I chipped my tooth.

B1
Dişimin bir parçası kırıldı.
  • Does it hurt, or is it just rough?

My gums bleed when I brush.

B1
Dişlerimi fırçalarken diş etlerim kanıyor.
  • That can be a sign of gum disease. Let's check.

My wisdom tooth is coming in, and it hurts.

B1

UK: "coming through".

Yirmilik dişim çıkıyor ve ağrıyor.
  • We may need an X-ray.

My jaw is swollen.

B1
Çenem şişti.
  • Do you have a fever as well?

The pain keeps me up at night.

B2
Ağrı yüzünden geceleri uyuyamıyorum.
  • Then we should see you today.

In the chair

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Will it hurt?

A1
Acıyacak mı?
  • You'll just feel a little pressure.

I'm a bit nervous about dental work.

B1
Diş tedavisi konusunda biraz gerginim.
  • That's completely normal. We'll go slowly.

Could you numb it first?

B1

The formal word is "local anesthetic" (UK spelling: "anaesthetic").

Önce uyuşturabilir misiniz?
  • Of course. You'll feel a small pinch.

I can still feel it.

A2
Hâlâ hissediyorum.
  • Let me give you a little more.

Can we stop for a second?

A2
Bir saniye durabilir miyiz?
  • Sure. Just raise your hand if you need a break.

I'm allergic to penicillin.

B1

Always mention allergies and medications before any treatment.

Penisiline alerjim var.
  • Thank you. I'll make a note of that.

How long will the numbness last?

B1
Uyuşukluk ne kadar sürer?
  • It should wear off in a few hours.

Treatment and costs

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

What do you recommend?

A2
Ne önerirsiniz?
  • I'd suggest a filling on that tooth.

Do I need a filling?

A2
Dolgu gerekiyor mu?
  • Yes, there's a small cavity.

Is a root canal really necessary?

B2

UK: "root canal treatment".

Kanal tedavisi gerçekten gerekli mi?
  • It's the best way to save the tooth.

Are there any other options?

B1
Başka seçenekler var mı?
  • We could also take the tooth out, but I wouldn't recommend it.

How much will this cost?

A2
Bu ne kadar tutar?
  • I'll print a treatment plan with the costs.

Can I get an estimate before you start?

B1

UK: "a quote".

Başlamadan önce fiyat teklifi alabilir miyim?
  • Of course. Here's a written estimate.

Does my insurance cover this?

B1
Sigortam bunu karşılıyor mu?
  • Part of it. Our front desk can check for you.

How many visits will it take?

B1
Kaç seans sürecek?
  • Two visits, about two weeks apart.

Aftercare

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

When can I eat?

A2
Ne zaman yemek yiyebilirim?
  • Wait until the numbness wears off.

What should I avoid?

A2
Nelerden kaçınmalıyım?
  • Avoid hot drinks and don't chew on that side today.

What can I take for the pain?

B1
Ağrı için ne alabilirim?
  • An over-the-counter painkiller should be enough.

Do I need to come back?

A2
Tekrar gelmem gerekiyor mu?
  • Yes, in two weeks for the crown.
  • Only for your next checkup.

How often should I get a cleaning?

B1
Ne sıklıkla diş temizliği yaptırmalıyım?
  • Most people come in every six months.

Sample dialogues

Booking an emergency appointment

Receptionist
Good morning, Oak Street Dental. How can I help you?
Günaydın, Oak Street Diş Kliniği. Size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
Patient
Hi, I'd like to make an appointment. I have a bad toothache.
Merhaba, randevu almak istiyorum. Dişim çok ağrıyor.
Receptionist
I'm sorry to hear that. Are you a new patient?
Bunu duyduğuma üzüldüm. Yeni hasta mısınız?
Patient
Yes, I am. Do you have anything today?
Evet. Bugün boş bir saatiniz var mı?
Receptionist
We can see you at two o'clock. Is your face swollen?
Sizi saat ikide görebiliriz. Yüzünüzde şişlik var mı?
Patient
No, but the pain keeps me up at night.
Hayır, ama ağrı yüzünden geceleri uyuyamıyorum.
Receptionist
Okay. Please come ten minutes early to fill out a form.
Tamam. Form doldurmak için lütfen on dakika erken gelin.
Patient
Sure. Do you take my insurance?
Tabii. Sigortamı kabul ediyor musunuz?
Receptionist
Bring your card and we'll check it for you.
Kartınızı getirin, sizin için kontrol ederiz.

In the dentist's chair

Dentist
So, where does it hurt?
Peki, neresi ağrıyor?
Patient
It's this tooth at the back, on the left. It hurts when I eat something cold.
Arkadaki, sol taraftaki bu diş. Soğuk bir şey yediğimde ağrıyor.
Dentist
I see. You have a small cavity. You need a filling.
Anlıyorum. Küçük bir çürük var. Dolgu gerekiyor.
Patient
Will it hurt? I'm a bit nervous.
Acıyacak mı? Biraz gerginim.
Dentist
Don't worry. I'll numb it first. Just raise your hand if you need a break.
Merak etmeyin. Önce uyuşturacağım. Ara vermek isterseniz elinizi kaldırmanız yeterli.
Patient
Okay. How much will this cost?
Tamam. Bu ne kadar tutar?
Dentist
The front desk will give you an estimate before we start.
Başlamadan önce resepsiyon size fiyat teklifi verecek.
Patient
Thanks. And when can I eat afterwards?
Teşekkürler. Peki sonrasında ne zaman yemek yiyebilirim?
Dentist
Wait until the numbness wears off, so a few hours.
Uyuşukluk geçene kadar bekleyin, yani birkaç saat.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

My tooth is aching me.

My tooth hurts.

"Ache" and "hurt" do not need an object here. Say "My tooth hurts" or "I have a toothache."

I want to make my teeth cleaned.

I'd like to get my teeth cleaned.

For services done by someone else, English uses "get" or "have" + object + past participle. This matches the Turkish causative "-t" in "temizletmek".

My twenty-year tooth hurts.

My wisdom tooth hurts.

Turkish says "yirmi yaş dişi" or "yirmilik". In English it is a "wisdom tooth".

My filling fell.

My filling fell out.

Things that leave their place inside something "fall out". "Fell" alone means it fell to the ground.

Can you give me a needle?

Could you numb it first?

Turkish "iğne yapmak" means giving an injection. In English "needle" is only the object. Ask the dentist to "numb it" or for "an injection".

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. A small hole in a tooth is a...

  2. 2. "Dolgu" in English is...

  3. 3. "Yirmilik diş" in English is...

  4. 4. Complete: "I'd like to get my teeth ___."

  5. 5. "The numbness will wear off" means...

  6. 6. "Diş eti" in English is...

  7. 7. "Do you have anything sooner?" asks for...

  8. 8. What is the British spelling of "anesthetic"?

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. cavity
  2. a filling
  3. a wisdom tooth
  4. cleaned
  5. it will go away
  6. gums
  7. an earlier appointment
  8. anaesthetic

See what the B1 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

What is the difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist?+

A dental hygienist cleans your teeth and gives advice on brushing and flossing. A dentist checks for problems and does treatments such as fillings, crowns and root canals.

How do I find a dentist in the UK?+

You can look for an NHS dentist or a private one. Not every practice accepts new NHS patients, so when you call, ask "Are you taking on new NHS patients?"

Is it "toothache" or "a toothache"?+

Both are correct. American English usually says "I have a toothache." British English often treats it as uncountable: "I've got toothache."

What can I say if I'm scared of the dentist?+

Tell them at the start: "I'm a bit nervous about dental work." Dentists hear this every day. You can also ask "Can we stop if I raise my hand?" so you feel more in control.

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