Dental care in Dutch basic insurance: the main lines.
What changes at 18, when an excess or personal contribution may apply, and why your policy is still the final check.
Updated 27 August 2026
For dental care, the useful first question is not only “what does it cost?”, but also “what does my insurance cover?”. The answer can depend on age, the kind of care, who provides it and the conditions in your policy. This page offers the main lines for a conversation with a practice or insurer.
Children under 18
For people under 18, the Dutch basic insurance package includes extensive regular dental care, such as check-ups, much preventive care and fillings. There are important exclusions: orthodontics, crowns, bridges and implants are not routinely covered. Check the policy for the complete scope.
Adults: regular dental care is usually not part of the package
From age 18, a regular dental check-up is generally not covered by Dutch basic insurance. There are exceptions, including certain care from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, X-ray examination connected to that care and a removable denture. Special dental care may also be covered when statutory conditions are met.
This does not make every treatment by a surgeon automatically reimbursable. If the same care could normally be provided by a dentist, coverage can be different. Ask the practice what will be declared, then check your policy before treatment.
Excess and personal contribution are different
If you are 18 or older and care is covered by the basic package, any remaining mandatory excess may be used first. Children under 18 do not pay an excess.
Some aids and provisions can also carry a personal contribution. For a fully removable denture on implants, Zorginstituut Nederland currently states a 10% contribution for the lower jaw and 8% for the upper jaw. The policy and treatment proposal remain decisive for an individual situation.
What about supplementary dental insurance?
Supplementary dental insurance can reimburse some care that is outside the basic package. The treatments, annual maximum, waiting period and conditions vary by insurer and package. Compare the coverage you expect to use, not only the monthly premium.
Four questions that make a proposal clearer
- Which treatment or provision has been proposed?
- Who will provide it: dentist, dental hygienist, dental technician or surgeon?
- Which costs appear in the estimate, including possible material or technical costs?
- What does my own policy cover, and could excess or a personal contribution remain?
A practice can explain the proposal and estimate. Your insurer is the source that can confirm the personal reimbursement outcome.
