Here's something most people don't realise. "Holistic dentist" isn't a protected title. Anyone registered as a dentist can use it. So the label alone tells you very little.
These are the questions I'd ask if I were looking for one myself.
1. Are they registered with the GDC?
Every dentist practising in the UK must be on the General Dental Council register. You can check anyone in a minute on the GDC website. Mine is 83256.
2. What training have they done, and can you check it?
Look for training you can verify. The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) lists its accredited members, Fellows and SMART-certified dentists on its own website. I've been a member since 2015, was accredited in 2023, and was made a Fellow in September 2026.
3. How long have they been doing it?
Experience matters, especially for amalgam removal. Ask how many they've done.
My own count is more than ten thousand.
4. How exactly do they protect you during amalgam removal?
A good answer is specific: rubber dam, high-volume suction near the mouth, a separate air supply for you, protective covering. A vague answer ("we're very careful") is worth probing.
5. What materials do they use, and why?
Ask what goes back in your tooth. A thoughtful dentist will explain their choice. I use a BPA-free composite for most fillings, and ceramic inlays when a tooth needs more support.
6. Do they tell you what they don't know?
Be wary of anyone who promises that dental work will cure a health problem elsewhere in the body. The science linking the mouth and the body is genuinely interesting, but it doesn't support promises like that. An honest dentist will tell you where the evidence stands.
7. Are the prices clear?
You should know what you'll pay before you start. Check whether amalgam removal is charged on top of the new filling. Ours isn't.
8. How do they make you feel?
Read the reviews, and look for words like listened, explained, gentle. The best clinical skill in the world doesn't help if you're too anxious to sit in the chair. How I look after nervous patients.
Ready to talk?
Message us on WhatsApp or call 020 7099 6651. Ask us any of the questions above.
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