Is dental insurance worth it in the Netherlands? Calculate it
Dental insurance is only worth it if your dental costs are higher than the premium you pay. With routine check-ups only, you spend about €100 to €170 a year at the dentist, while a module with €250 cover costs €120 to €210 a year. Then you usually pay more than you get back. If you expect a few fillings, a root canal treatment or a crown, dental insurance often does pay off.
Compare dental insurance in the Netherlands
Put the numbers side by side: premium, maximum reimbursement and your own contribution for all 2026 dental modules.
Calculator: does dental insurance pay off for you?
Calculated with the NZa maximum tariffs for 2026 and the 2026 premiums for adults: OHRA Tand Gaaf €325 from €15.95 (75% up to €325), a.s.r. TandBeter €16.50 (100% up to €250), Menzis TandVerzorgd 500 €22.65 (check-ups 100%, other 75% up to €500). A plus means the module pays out more than it costs you in premium.
When does dental insurance pay off?
| Your year at the dentist | Costs 2026 | OHRA Tand Gaaf €325 | a.s.r. TandBeter | Menzis TandVerzorgd 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 check-up, 2 X-rays, 10 minutes of cleaning | €104.15 | − €113.29 | − €93.85 | − €186.56 |
| 2 check-ups, 2 X-rays, 20 minutes of cleaning | €166.30 | − €66.67 | − €31.70 | − €132.82 |
| Check-up plus 1 filling | €216.67 | − €28.90 | + €18.67 | − €102.17 |
| Check-up plus 2 fillings | €329.19 | + €55.49 | + €52.00 | − €17.78 |
| Check-up plus root canal treatment (3 canals) | €663.73 | + €133.60 | + €52.00 | + €228.20 |
| Check-up plus crown (incl. €300 technical costs) | €867.74 | + €133.60 | + €52.00 | + €228.20 |
Net result = reimbursement minus annual premium. The maximum you can gain is the maximum reimbursement minus the premium: €133.60 with OHRA Tand Gaaf €325, €52.00 with a.s.r. TandBeter and €228.20 with Menzis TandVerzorgd 500.
Reasons to take out dental insurance anyway
- You spread the costs. A fixed monthly premium instead of an unexpected bill of several hundred euros.
- Dental accidents. Many modules pay €10,000 to €20,000 after an accident. FBTO and ZieZo also sell a separate accident module, for €0.95 and €1.75 a month.
- You cannot always switch mid-year. You usually take out or change dental insurance per 1 January. If you only take it out when you need a crown, you are often too late, and extensive modules ask medical questions.
- Children and braces. For orthodontics a waiting period of 12 months is common, so you have to insure well in advance. See orthodontic insurance.
Going without dental insurance
Without dental insurance you pay the dentist yourself, at the same NZa maximum tariffs as insured patients. For a treatment above €250 your dentist must give you an estimate in advance, so you are not surprised. Put the premium you save aside each month as a buffer for unexpected treatments. Prices per treatment are on dentist costs in the Netherlands.
Tip: choose a module that matches your expected costs. A €1,000 module at €45 a month (€540 a year) only pays off with more than €540 in dental costs per year.
Frequently asked questions
Is dental insurance worth it in the Netherlands?
Only if your dental costs are higher than the premium. With routine check-ups only (about €100 to €170 a year), a module usually costs more than it pays out. With fillings, a root canal treatment or a crown, it often pays off.
Do I need dental insurance in the Netherlands?
It is not compulsory. Basic health insurance is compulsory, but dental care for adults is not included, so you either pay the dentist yourself or take out supplementary dental insurance. Children under 18 do not need dental insurance for most dental care.
How much does the dentist cost per year without insurance?
With one check-up, two small X-rays and 10 minutes of cleaning, at most €104.15 in 2026. With two check-ups and 20 minutes of cleaning, about €166. A filling adds about €113, a crown €464 plus technical costs.
Can I take out dental insurance when I need treatment?
Usually only per 1 January, and extensive modules ask medical questions or a dentist statement. Modules up to €500 often accept everyone, but the reimbursement is capped at the maximum of the module.
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