Dentistry

The reality of Swiss dental coverage

Routine dental care — check-ups, fillings, root canals, crowns, extractions — is almost entirely not covered by KVG. Swiss residents pay for dental care out of pocket or through separate dental supplementary insurance. Swiss dental costs are high: a routine check-up and cleaning runs CHF 150–300, a filling CHF 200–600, root canals CHF 800–2,500.

What KVG does cover (the exceptions)

• Dental conditions caused by a serious systemic illness (chemotherapy damage, radiotherapy, severe osteoporosis)
• Dental conditions caused by a serious accident (with accident insurance)
• Congenital malformations
• Orthodontic treatment for severe skeletal deformities (not routine orthodontics)

Prior authorisation (Kostengutsprache) is typically required.

Dental supplementary insurance

Standalone dental insurance is available as VVG products. Typical plans cover 50–80% of treatment costs up to an annual maximum (CHF 1,000–5,000), have waiting periods, exclude cosmetic treatments, and may cap orthodontics. Apply before you have a known dental problem — insurers apply exclusions for pre-existing conditions under VVG.

Finding a dentist and managing costs

No referral is needed. Dentists are listed on doctor.ch. University dental clinics are often slightly cheaper. Before any significant work, ask for a detailed cost estimate (Kostenvoranschlag / devis) in writing.

Accident insurance and dental injuries

If you damage your teeth in an accident, accident insurance (UVG for employed people, or NBU component of KVG for unemployed) covers dental treatment for the traumatic injury.