Japanese at the Dentist: Booking, Describing Pain and Insurance
To visit a dentist in Japan, call or book online for an appointment, bring your health insurance card, and be ready to describe where it hurts and what kind of pain it is. The key phrases are 歯が痛いです (I have toothache), 詰め物が取れました (a filling came out) and 保険は使えますか (can I use my insurance?). Most dental clinics in Japan (歯科 or 歯医者) work by appointment, and treatment is often spread over several short visits.
In a serious emergency, such as heavy bleeding or a facial injury after an accident, call 119. For urgent tooth pain on a weekend or holiday, many cities run a holiday dental clinic; check your city’s website.
Booking an appointment
- 予約をしたいのですが。 I’d like to make an appointment.
- 初めてです。 It’s my first visit.
- 今日、診てもらえますか。 Could you see me today?
- 英語を話せる先生はいますか。 Is there a dentist who speaks English?
Many clinics have online booking, and some list the languages they can handle. On your first visit you will fill in a questionnaire (問診票) about your symptoms, health and medicines.
Describing the problem
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 右下の奥歯が痛いです。 | My lower right back tooth hurts. |
| 冷たいものがしみます。 | Cold things make it sting. |
| かむと痛いです。 | It hurts when I bite. |
| ずきずきします。 | It’s throbbing. |
| 歯ぐきから血が出ます。 | My gums bleed. |
| 歯が欠けました。 | I chipped a tooth. |
| 親知らずが痛いです。 | My wisdom tooth hurts. |
| クリーニングをお願いします。 | I’d like a cleaning. |
Words like ずきずき and しみる are very common for pain. Our guide to Japanese onomatopoeia explains more of them.
In the chair
- 口を大きく開けてください。 Please open wide.
- 痛かったら左手を挙げてください。 Raise your left hand if it hurts.
- うがいをしてください。 Please rinse.
- 麻酔をしますね。 I’m going to give you an anaesthetic.
- 麻酔が苦手です。 I don’t do well with anaesthetic.
- 少し休ませてください。 Could I have a short break?
Insurance and costs
If you are enrolled in Japanese health insurance, basic dental treatment is usually covered, and you pay a share of the cost. Some treatments are not covered and are self-paid (自費), such as many cosmetic options, some crown materials, implants and whitening. Ask before you agree:
- これは保険適用ですか。 Is this covered by insurance?
- 自費だといくらぐらいですか。 Roughly how much would it be if self-paid?
- あと何回来ればいいですか。 How many more visits will I need?
Children at the dentist
Schools in Japan run dental check-ups, and you may get a note asking you to take your child for treatment. A paediatric dentist is 小児歯科. For more on school letters and health checks, see Japanese for parents in Japan.
If your Japanese isn’t enough
Write down your symptoms in Japanese before you go, and point to the tooth. For a complex treatment plan, an interpreter on a video call can help you understand the options and costs. See an interpreter for medical appointments and, for general health visits, Japanese at the doctor.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our tutors can run a lesson on dental and health Japanese, with role plays of booking, describing pain and asking about costs, so you feel ready before your appointment. We can also interpret, in person or online, if you want help understanding a treatment plan.