London has long been one of the largest concentrations of Poles outside Poland. It is estimated that nearly one million people of Polish origin live in the United Kingdom, a large proportion of them in the capital. Despite this, many Polish people still end up at English-speaking dental practices and come away from those appointments with the feeling that something did not go quite as it should, though they cannot quite put their finger on what.
The language barrier in dentistry is a topic that is rarely discussed openly. Yet it is worth addressing.
What do you lose when you have dental treatment in a foreign language?
Imagine sitting in a dental chair with a toothache and trying to describe in a foreign language exactly what you are feeling. Is it throbbing or dull? Does it get worse with heat or cold? Is it constant or does it come in waves? Now add the stress of the appointment, the anxiety about what you will hear, and the dentist’s time pressure as they move from one patient to the next.
This is not a comfortable situation even for people who speak English well. For those who feel uncertain in the language, it can be genuinely difficult.
An inaccurate consultation history is a real medical problem. Misunderstood symptoms can affect the diagnosis. Not fully grasping the treatment plan can affect the outcome. Being unable to ask all the questions you wanted to ask affects your sense of control over your own treatment. This is not a matter of comfort, it is a matter of the quality of medical care.
Why are dentists in London so highly regarded?
Polish doctors, including dentists, have long enjoyed an excellent reputation in the United Kingdom. This stems from several factors.
Polish medical universities are well-regarded European institutions with a long tradition and high standards. dentists are typically very well prepared technically, and at the same time accustomed to carrying out comprehensive work with their own hands, without the excessive division into narrow specialisms that is typical of the NHS system.
Then there is the approach to the patient. Many Polish people who have previously visited NHS or non-Polish private practices comment on the difference in the time a dentist devotes to conversation and explanation. In Polish practices in London, an individual approach and unhurried manner are the standard.
PerfectSmile, what do we offer experienced patients?
PerfectSmile at 36 Crown St in Ealing was established with the Polish community in London in mind. The entire team speaks Polish, from reception to the dentists. There is no need to search for words or worry about misunderstanding or being misunderstood.
Dr Roksana Marcinkowska, a specialist in implantology, graduated in dentistry from the Medical University of Białystok, then obtained her qualifications from the British General Dental Council and completed the Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology. She regularly continues her professional development and has completed the Advanced Implant Dentistry course at Guy’s College in London. Dr Kamila Mazurek, a certified aesthetic medicine doctor, combines dentistry and facial aesthetics in her approach, offering patients comprehensive care in one place.
We offer a full range of dental treatment: preventive care and hygiene, restorative treatment, root canal treatment, surgical procedures, prosthetics including crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures, implantology, and orthodontics. All under one roof, without the need to travel across London to different specialists at different practices.
Opening hours, location and availability
We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 to 20:00 and Saturdays 9:00 to 18:00. Evening appointments during the week are a significant convenience for working patients, no need to take time off work to see the dentist.
The practice is located at 36 Crown St, W3 8SB in Ealing/Acton in west London, with good Underground and bus connections. We see patients from across London, as well as from Reading, Oxford and Slough.
In urgent cases, we make every effort to see patients on the day of contact or the next working day. Book by phone on 07490 565656 or via the form at twojdentysta.co.uk.
How much does treatment cost at a dentist in London?
Prices at PerfectSmile are competitive compared to other private practices in London. A consultation with examination starts from £50, scaling with polishing costs £90, air polishing £80, and the preventive package combining scaling, air polishing and fluoride treatment is £150, at a discount compared to booking these procedures separately.
Anaesthesia is always included in the cost of the procedure, free of charge. We also offer instalment payments and discounts when purchasing packages of services, making regular treatment more financially accessible. The full price list is available at twojdentysta.co.uk/cennik.
What about the NHS and Polish people in London?
Many people arriving in London assume that NHS dental treatment will be free or very cheap. The reality is more complicated. Finding an NHS practice taking on new patients can be difficult, and waiting times for an appointment are often counted in weeks or months.
The NHS offers three treatment bands, the cheapest at £26.80 covering only an examination and simple procedures, and the range of available treatment is limited. For more complex cases, such as implants, orthodontics for adults, or extensive prosthodontics, the NHS is typically unable to offer the expected standard of care.
For most Polish people in London, a private dental practice offers better value for money than the NHS, taking into account availability, waiting times, the range of services, and the ability to communicate in their own language.
How to book your first appointment?
A first appointment at PerfectSmile consists of a dental examination with an assessment of the condition of your teeth and preparation of an individual treatment plan. If you need time to think before making any decisions, that is absolutely fine. There is no pressure at our practice and no pushing you towards treatments you do not need.
If you have been putting off visiting the dentist in London because of the language barrier, lack of time, or simple fear, you now have a ready-made solution. Call 07490 565656 and book an appointment in Polish.
