How does dental insurance work in the Netherlands?

For adults, dental care is largely covered by supplementary (aanvullende) insurance rather than the basic package. For children under 18, regular dental care is covered by basic health insurance at no extra cost, with no excess (eigen risico) to pay.

Are dental costs the same at every dentist?

Yes. All Dutch dentists work with the same official tariffs, set each year by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). Prices are the same everywhere, so you can choose a practice based on quality and personal fit rather than price.

Do I need to register with one dental practice?

In the Netherlands you usually register with one dental practice that becomes your regular dentist. You can register via the form on our website; we then call you to schedule your first appointment. There is no waiting list to join.

Is dental care for children covered?

Yes. For children up to 18, regular dental care is reimbursed from the basic health insurance, with no excess (eigen risico) to pay. Children are welcome from their very first tooth.

Do you treat clients in English?

Yes. Treatment and explanations are available in English and Dutch. Expat families from Wassenaar, The Hague (Benoordenhout, Clingendael, Marlot), Voorschoten and the surrounding area are warmly welcome.

How dental care works in the Netherlands

Q: Can I bring my records from a previous or foreign dentist?

Yes. You can bring recent X-rays and treatment information, and you request the transfer of your records yourself from your previous dentist; they are required to cooperate, free of charge. The example message on the switching dentist page arranges deregistration and transfer in one go.

The practice opens in September, after the school holidays, and registration is open. Registration is via the form; we then call you to plan your first appointment.

Dental insurance: basic versus supplementary

Health insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands. For most adults, routine dental care is not part of the basic package (basisverzekering); instead it is covered by supplementary dental insurance (aanvullende tandartsverzekering), which you can choose to take out. It is worth checking what your policy covers before larger treatments.

For children up to 18, regular dental care is covered by the basic health insurance at no extra cost, with no excess (eigen risico) to pay. So bringing your children to the dentist is free of charge under the standard insurance.

Everyone pays the same tariffs

Dental prices are not something you need to shop around for. All dentists in the Netherlands use the same official tariffs, set each year by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). A treatment costs the same at every practice. That means you can choose your dentist based on quality, communication and personal fit, rather than price. For larger treatments you always receive a written estimate in advance.

Registering with one dental practice

In the Netherlands you usually register as a client (patient) with one dental practice that becomes your regular dentist and keeps your records. You do not visit a different dentist each time. Registering with us is straightforward:

You complete the registration form (a minute of your time).
We call you to confirm your registration and plan your first appointment together.
At your first consultation we take the time to get to know you, examine your mouth and discuss a plan.

There is no waiting list to join, and registering is free and commits you to nothing.

Bringing your records from abroad or another dentist

You are welcome to bring recent X-rays and treatment information from your previous dentist, including from abroad. You request the transfer of your records yourself from your previous dentist; they are required to cooperate, free of charge. The example message on the switching dentist page arranges deregistration and transfer in one go, and without records we can simply start as well. Read more on switching dentist.

Dental care for your children

Children are welcome from their very first tooth. As mentioned, care for children up to 18 is reimbursed from the basic insurance, with no excess (eigen risico) to pay. We focus on prevention, gentle guidance and building a positive first experience, so that a visit to the dentist feels normal and calm.

Treatment in English, close to home

Both our dentist and our dental hygienist treat and explain in English as well as Dutch. Wassenaar is home to a large international community, and we are easy to reach from The Hague (Benoordenhout, Clingendael and Marlot), Voorschoten and the surrounding area, close to the international schools. Whether you are here for a few years or settling for the long term, you are warmly welcome.