Dental treatment in Germany is high quality but can also be surprisingly expensive—especially for procedures not fully covered by public insurance.
Understanding how dental clinics work, what insurance pays for, and how to avoid unnecessary costs helps students protect both their teeth and their budget.
How Dental Care Works in Germany
Dentists in Germany (Zahnärzte) operate independently, meaning:
• You can choose any dental clinic
• No referral is required
• Prices vary between clinics
• Appointments are usually needed, though some offer emergency slots
Public health insurance covers basic, medically necessary dental care, but not cosmetic or premium treatments.
What Public Health Insurance Covers
Public insurance (TK, AOK, Barmer, etc.) typically covers:
• Routine dental check-ups (free)
• Teeth cleaning check-ups (examination, not full cleaning)
• Basic fillings (usually composite on front teeth, amalgam or composite on back teeth depending on insurer)
• Medically necessary extractions
• Treatment for infections or inflammation
• X-rays if needed
Partial Coverage
Some procedures are only partially covered, meaning you must pay the remainder:
• Root canal treatment (only if the tooth meets strict criteria)
• Crowns, bridges, dentures (small fixed subsidy)
• Some types of fillings depending on location
Not Covered (or rarely covered)
• Professional teeth cleaning (Prophylaxe)
• Cosmetic fillings
• Whitening / aesthetic procedures
• High-end ceramic crowns
• Invisalign or aesthetic orthodontics
If the dentist offers different materials, the cheapest option is usually fully covered; premium options cost extra.
How to Book a Dental Appointment
Dentists often allow several booking methods:
1. Call the clinic directly
2. Book online through their website
3. Use platforms like Doctolib
4. Walk-in for emergencies (pain, swelling, broken tooth)
Tip
Dental appointments for check-ups are easy to get.
Appointments for pain or infections are treated as urgent and usually scheduled on the same day.
What To Expect During a Visit
A typical first visit includes:
1. Short medical history form
2. X-rays if needed
3. Examination and diagnosis
4. Explanation of treatment options
5. Cost explanation for non-covered procedures
6. Scheduling of follow-up treatment
Dentists are required to explain prices before starting any treatment that is not fully covered.
Understanding Costs (Important!)
Dental care can become expensive, especially for procedures beyond basic treatment.
Common Out-of-Pocket Costs
• Simple composite filling: €60–€150 (depending on location)
• Professional cleaning: €60–€120
• Root canal (if not fully covered): €200–€800
• Ceramic crown: €500–€1,000+
• Emergency weekend treatment: small additional fee
Why prices vary
• Material choices (basic vs premium)
• Clinic location (city centers often more expensive)
• Procedure complexity
Always ask:
“Was bezahlt die Krankenkasse?”（What does insurance cover?）
“Was muss ich selbst bezahlen?”（What must I pay myself?）
How to Avoid High Dental Expenses
1.Attend free check-ups twice per year
Most insurers recommend this and will record visits in your bonus booklet (“Bonusheft”).
Keeping this booklet up to date increases insurance subsidies later.
2.Ask for cost estimates (Heil- und Kostenplan)
Before expensive treatments, dentists must provide a written plan showing:
• What insurance pays
• What your cost will be
3.Choose basic materials when possible
Ceramic and premium materials look better but cost significantly more.
4.Maintain good oral hygiene
Prevention is the cheapest treatment.
5.Compare clinics
Some dentists charge more for the same service.
6.Use university dental clinics if available
Many cities have dental schools that offer lower-cost treatments performed by supervised students.
Emergency Dental Care
For pain, infection, or broken teeth:
• Call your dentist and ask for urgent appointment
• If clinics are closed, use the dental emergency service (Zahnärztlicher Notdienst)
• Emergency service rotates daily—Google “Zahnärztlicher Notdienst + your city”
Insurance covers medically necessary emergency treatment.
Common Mistakes Students Make
• Accepting expensive procedures without checking insurance coverage
• Not asking for cost estimates beforehand
• Using cosmetic procedures thinking they are covered
• Ignoring mild pain until it becomes serious (and expensive)
• Not keeping their Bonusheft updated
Avoiding these mistakes saves significant money.
Summary
Dental care in Germany is reliable and high quality, but understanding insurance rules is essential to avoid high costs.
Students should make regular check-ups, ask for cost estimates, choose basic materials when appropriate, and compare clinics before agreeing to non-covered procedures.
With the right approach, dental care can be affordable and stress-free.