Is dental insurance worth it? We'll help you decide

What going to the dentist really costs without cover

Spain is one of the European countries where public dental cover is most limited. The public system only covers dental emergencies, basic extractions and children's check-ups. Everything else comes out of your own pocket if you don't have private cover.

Here's what the most common dental treatments typically cost without insurance:

Treatment	Cost without cover
Dental cleaning	€50 - €80
Filling	€40 - €80
Root canal (molar)	€150 - €350
Simple extraction	€40 - €80
Wisdom tooth extraction	€80 - €200
Crown	€200 - €500
Implant	€800 - €1,500
Traditional braces	€2,000 - €4,000
Invisible aligners	€2,500 - €6,000
Removable denture	€400 - €1,000

A single root canal or implant can easily cost more than a year of dental cover.

Types of dental cover

Standalone dental insurance

A policy taken out purely for dental treatment. These usually offer free appointments and cleanings, plus discounts of 20% to 50% on treatment.

Guide price: €8 - €25/month.

A dental module on your health policy

An add-on to your general health cover. The cover is usually broader than standalone dental insurance.

Guide price: €10 - €30/month extra.

Dental included in a premium plan

Premium health policies include full dental cover as standard, at no extra cost. They cover everything from cleanings to implants, including orthodontics.

Included in the premium plan's premium (from €120/month).

When is it worth it?

Yes, if:

• You need frequent treatment: If you have more than 2-3 fillings a year, the cover pays for itself.
• You have children: Children's orthodontics is one of the most expensive treatments. Cover that includes it can save you thousands.
• You need implants or dentures: A single implant can cost more than a whole year of dental cover.
• You want prevention: The cleanings and regular check-ups included head off bigger (and pricier) problems.
• You're prone to dental problems: Frequent cavities, gum problems and so on.

Perhaps not, if:

• Your dental health is excellent: You only need one cleaning a year and haven't had a cavity in years.
• You already have dental on your health policy: Don't duplicate the cover.
• Your budget is very tight: If you have to choose, prioritise general health cover.

Let's do the maths

Example 1: Someone with good dental health Annual dental spend without cover: 1 cleaning (€60) + 1 check-up (free with the cleaning) = €60 Cost of dental cover: €15/month × 12 = €180 Result: Not worth it. You pay €120 more with the cover.

Example 2: Someone with moderate dental needs Annual dental spend without cover: 1 cleaning (€60) + 2 fillings (€120) + 1 check-up = €180 Cost of dental cover: €15/month × 12 = €180 (with cleanings and fillings included or heavily discounted) Result: It evens out, with the added benefit of being covered if something unexpected comes up.

Example 3: A family with children's orthodontics Spend without cover: Orthodontics (€3,000) + family cleanings (€240) = €3,240 Cost of family dental cover: €40/month × 12 = €480 (with orthodontics included or heavily discounted) Result: Thousands saved. Clearly worth it.

Tips for choosing dental cover

1. Read the small print: Not all "dental insurance" covers the same things. Some only offer discounts, not real cover.
2. Check which treatments are included: Make sure it covers what you need (fillings, root canals, implants, orthodontics).
3. Check the waiting periods: Some dental treatments carry waits of 3 to 12 months.
4. Compare standalone vs a module on your health policy: Sometimes the dental module on your health cover offers better cover for a similar price.
5. Consider a premium plan: If you need dental plus medical, a premium plan with dental included can cost less than two separate policies.