Spaces and roles in the dental clinic

Ruimtes en functies in de tandheelkundige kliniek

Identify the areas of the clinic
Organise the clinic for operational efficiency and patient experience
Explain to the patient “who does what” in the dental clinic

Leer essentiële woorden en uitdrukkingen over ruimtes (wachtkamer, behandelkamer, balie) en rollen (tandarts, assistente, mondhygiënist) in een tandartspraktijk. Oefen communicatie en organisatie om de praktijk soepel te laten verlopen.

Exercises

Student worksheet

Share Copied!

These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.

Exercise 1: Dialogue Cards

Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.

Rondleiding door de kliniek

Example 1

Welkom in onze tandartspraktijk. Dit is de wachtkamer waar patiënten kunnen plaatsnemen.

Welcome to our dental practice. This is the waiting room where patients can sit.

Dit is de behandelkamer. Hier behandelt de tandarts samen met de mondhygiënist de patiënten.

This is the treatment room. Here the dentist treats the patients together with the dental hygienist.

Daarachter is het laboratorium, waar we protheses maken.

Behind there is the laboratory, where we make prostheses.

En hier is de balie waar je je kunt aanmelden.

And here is the reception desk where you can register.

Example 2

Goedemorgen, wilt u de praktijk even zien?

Good morning, would you like to see the practice?

Ja graag. Waar is de receptie?

Yes please. Where is the reception?

Die is aan de rechterkant, bij de ingang. Hier noteert onze assistente de afspraken.

It is on the right side, near the entrance. Here our assistant notes the appointments.

En waar werkt de tandarts?

And where does the dentist work?

In de behandelkamer, dat is de grote ruimte met de stoel.

In the treatment room, that is the large room with the chair.

Ah, en de mondhygiënist?

Ah, and the dental hygienist?

Die heeft een eigen kamer direct naast de behandelkamer.

They have their own room right next to the treatment room.

Taken en rollen in de praktijk uitleggen

Example 1

Ik ben de tandarts en ik controleer en behandel uw tanden.

I am the dentist and I check and treat your teeth.

De assistente helpt bij de behandelingen en maakt alles klaar.

The assistant helps with the treatments and prepares everything.

Onze mondhygiënist reinigt tanden en geeft advies over mondverzorging.

Our dental hygienist cleans teeth and gives advice about oral care.

De receptioniste regelt de afspraken en het telefoonverkeer.

The receptionist arranges the appointments and the telephone traffic.

Example 2

Kunt u uitleggen wie wat doet in de praktijk?

Can you explain who does what in the practice?

Natuurlijk, ik ben de tandarts en behandel problemen aan tanden.

Of course, I am the dentist and treat problems with teeth.

De assistente ondersteunt mij en zorgt dat alles schoon is.

The assistant supports me and makes sure everything is clean.

De mondhygiënist maakt uw tanden schoon en geeft tips.

The dental hygienist cleans your teeth and gives tips.

De receptioniste ontvangt patiënten en plant afspraken.

The receptionist receives patients and schedules appointments.

Kliniek organiseren voor betere ervaring

Example 1

We moeten ervoor zorgen dat de wachtkamer comfortabel is voor de patiënten.

We have to ensure that the waiting room is comfortable for the patients.

Ja, en dat de behandelkamer goed is ingericht voor snelle behandelingen.

Yes, and that the treatment room is well arranged for quick treatments.

De assistente kan de afspraken zo plannen dat er geen lange wachttijden zijn.

The assistant can plan the appointments so that there are no long waiting times.

Ook moeten we duidelijk maken wie verantwoordelijk is voor welke taak.

We also have to make clear who is responsible for which task.

Example 2

Hoe kunnen we de praktijk efficiënter maken?

How can we make the practice more efficient?

Misschien kunnen we de sterilisatie en voorraad beter organiseren.

Maybe we can organize sterilization and supplies better.

Dat is een goed idee. Ook een duidelijk bord bij de ingang met namen en functies helpt patiënten.

That is a good idea. Also a clear sign at the entrance with names and roles helps patients.

Precies, dan weet iedereen meteen wie de tandarts, assistente en mondhygiënist zijn.

Exactly, then everyone immediately knows who the dentist, assistant and dental hygienist are.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. De assistent ___ de tandarts met de voorbereidingen in de kliniek.

2. Wij ___ de afspraken zodat de patiënten snel worden geholpen.

3. De specialist ___ uit welke behandeling nodig is voor de patiënt.

4. U ___ het recept voor de medicijnen op een formulier.

Exercise 3: A day in the dental clinic

Instruction:

Vandaag (Beginnen - Tegenwoordige tijd) ik mijn dienst in de tandartspraktijk om negen uur. Mijn collega tandarts (Helpen - Tegenwoordige tijd) een nieuwe patiënt terwijl ik de behandelkamer (Organiseren - Tegenwoordige tijd) . We (Weten - Tegenwoordige tijd) dat een goede indeling belangrijk is voor de efficiëntie. Later (Legen - Tegenwoordige tijd) ik de patiënt uit wie de tandartsassistent is en wat haar taken zijn. Zo voelt iedereen zich welkom en geïnformeerd.

Today I start my shift in the dental clinic at nine o'clock. My colleague dentist helps a new patient while I organize the treatment room. We know that a good layout is important for efficiency. Later I explain to the patient who the dental assistant is and what her tasks are. This way everyone feels welcome and informed.

Verb Tables

Beginnen - Start

Tegenwoordige tijd

ik begin
jij begint
hij/zij/het begint
wij beginnen
jullie beginnen
zij beginnen

Helpen - Help

Tegenwoordige tijd

ik help
jij helpt
hij/zij/het helpt
wij helpen
jullie helpen
zij helpen

Organiseren - Organize

Tegenwoordige tijd

ik organiseer
jij organiseert
hij/zij/het organiseert
wij organiseren
jullie organiseren
zij organiseren

Weten - Know

Tegenwoordige tijd

ik weet
jij weet
hij/zij/het weet
wij weten
jullie weten
zij weten

Legen - Explain

Tegenwoordige tijd

ik leg
jij legt
hij/zij/het legt
wij leggen
jullie leggen
zij leggen

Don't see progress when learning on your own? Study this material with a certified teacher!

Do you want to practice Dutch today? That is possible! Just contact one of our teachers today.

Enroll now!

Spaces and Roles in the Dental Clinic

This lesson explores the essential vocabulary and expressions related to the different areas found within a dental clinic and the specific roles of various professionals working there. It is designed for A2 level Dutch learners who want to confidently discuss and understand what happens in a dental practice.

Clinic Spaces Vocabulary

Familiarize yourself with key locations frequently mentioned in the dental environment, such as:

De wachtkamer – the waiting room where patients sit before their appointment.
De behandelkamer – the treatment room where dental procedures take place.
Het laboratorium – the lab area, often used for creating dental prostheses.
De balie – the reception desk, where patients check in and appointments are managed.

Roles and Responsibilities

The lesson also introduces the main staff roles you will encounter in a practice and the verbs to describe their duties:

De tandarts (dentist) who examines and treats patients.
De assistente (assistant) who prepares materials and aids the dentist.
De mondhygiënist (dental hygienist) responsible for cleaning teeth and advising on oral care.
De receptioniste (receptionist) in charge of scheduling and patient communication.

Useful Expressions

Examples you will encounter include polite offers like "Wilt u de praktijk even zien?" (Would you like to see the practice?), and describing locations such as "De mondhygiënist heeft een eigen kamer direct naast de behandelkamer." (The dental hygienist has a room directly next to the treatment room.)

Organization and Efficiency in the Clinic

The content covers everyday conversations about organizing the clinic to improve patient experience and workflow. Key action verbs such as organiseren (to organize), helpen (to help), and leggen (to lay/place or explain in context) are practiced in various sentence forms.

Language Tips: Differences and Useful Phrases

Unlike English, Dutch often places verbs in second position in main clauses and uses separable verbs like "aanwijzen" (to point out). The definite article de or het must be learned with nouns, as this affects gender and plural forms, unlike the unchanging English "the." Some useful phrases include:

"Dit is de behandelkamer." – "This is the treatment room."
"De assistente helpt bij de behandelingen." – "The assistant helps with the treatments."
"Wilt u de praktijk even zien?" – "Would you like to see the practice?"

Understanding role descriptions and location terms will boost your confidence when talking about everyday situations in healthcare settings.

Exercises

Student worksheet

Share Copied!

Exercise 1: Dialogue Cards

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Exercise 3: A day in the dental clinic

Verb Tables

Don't see progress when learning on your own? Study this material with a certified teacher!

Spaces and Roles in the Dental Clinic

Clinic Spaces Vocabulary

Roles and Responsibilities

Useful Expressions

Organization and Efficiency in the Clinic

Language Tips: Differences and Useful Phrases

These lessons would not be possible without our amazing partners🙏

Conversation classes

Who is coLanguage?

Our other learning materials

Spaces and roles in the dental clinic

Exercises Student worksheet Share Copied!

Exercise 1: Dialogue Cards

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Exercise 3: A day in the dental clinic

Verb Tables

Don't see progress when learning on your own? Study this material with a certified teacher!

Spaces and Roles in the Dental Clinic

Clinic Spaces Vocabulary

Roles and Responsibilities

Useful Expressions

Organization and Efficiency in the Clinic

Language Tips: Differences and Useful Phrases

These lessons would not be possible without our amazing partners🙏

Exercises

Student worksheet

Share Copied!