One of the first things that people do after they have been in Luzern for a couple months is try to find a good dentist. As this topic seems to reoccur, I thought I’d do a post on it and if you have anything to add, please feel free.
A note about dentistry – in Switzerland, there really is no such thing as dental insurance… You can have it but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to have it. Therefore, most cleanings and work is done at full price. A cleaning can cost around 150-200 chf. Often you will see the Dentist on the first visit, but then (unlike America), you are not likely to see him/her again unless you have a problem. About 90% of your contact will be with the Dental Hygienists who clean your teeth. Pediatric Dentists are dentists who work with children. Generally there is some basic insurance coverage for children. Brushing teeth is recommended from age 1.
Expat Recommended Dentists & Dental Hygienists:
Dr. med. Jörg Haefliger, Dr. med. Dr. Balthasar Zaugg or Dr. med. Sandra Salzmann
- 041 410 31 35
- Haldenstrasse 12, 6006 Luzern
- Website (in German)
- Dental Hygienist who speaks English: Pam May
Dr. med. dent. Härri (speaks English)
- 041 210 21 21
- Pilatusstrasse 21, 6003 Luzern
- Dental Hygienist who speaks English: Wendy Wiese
Pediatric Dentists
Dr. med. dent. Barbara Holden-Faessler (Speaks English)
- 041 210 2330
- Moosstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern
- Website (in German)
- Dr. Holden-Faessler is married to Living in Luzern’s Vice President of the Board, Michael Holden
Dental Team Clinic
- 041 210 58 58
- c/o Zahnarztpraxis Dr Schulte, Winkelriedstrasse 37, 6003 Luzern
- Website (in English)
- All of the dentists here speak several languages.
When to go for a second opinion?
On a side note, while I don’t want to discourage people from any businesses but I have heard some negative things about a chain called Zahnarztzentrum. I’m sure that some people have had a good experience with them. But in general, whoever you use… if you are told that you need major work done and are given a price tag in the thousands, it is important that you seek a second opinion. This is just the nature of dentistry being a for profit business I’m afraid!
