Enhanced oral care supplements, addressing overdue wage compensation issues.
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, dental tariffs in Germany are undergoing significant changes. Some now include beauty treatments, leading to wider price ranges. This article aims to provide a clear and concise guide to supplementary dental insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung) options in Germany, designed to complement statutory health insurance (GKV).
The Role of Supplementary Dental Insurance
GKV covers only basic dental care, leaving high-quality materials, advanced treatments, and preventative care largely uncovered. This is where supplementary dental insurance comes into play, offering expanded coverage for a more comprehensive dental care experience.
Coverage Comparison
| Coverage Aspect | Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) | Supplementary Dental Insurance (e.g., Ottonova, Feather, Getsafe) | |-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dental check-ups | 2 per year | Usually unlimited or more frequent, covering preventive care | | Fillings | Basic amalgam/composite only | Often covers premium materials like ceramic or gold | | Crowns & Dentures | Standard metal-based, cost-effective only | Coverage for higher-quality crowns (zirconium, ceramic) and dentures | | Professional Teeth Cleaning | Not covered or only as part of periodontal therapy | Usually covered or partially reimbursed | | Implants & Advanced Treatment | Not covered or minimal subsidy | Often covered, fully or partially, subject to policy terms | | Orthodontics for Adults | Not covered unless severe medical cases | Often included or partially covered in supplemental plans | | Reimbursement rate for dentures | Starts at 60%, increases to 70-75% with bonus | Often higher reimbursement or full coverage for premium materials/treatment |
Cost Comparison
Contributions for supplementary dental insurance premiums typically range from about 5 € to 50+ € per month, depending on the scope of coverage, insurer, waiting periods, and personal health risk profile. In contrast, contributions for GKV are shared between employer and employee, with dental benefits included but limited in scope.
Key Considerations
- Supplemental insurance helps avoid high out-of-pocket expenses for quality materials, implants, and cosmetic/aesthetic dental work.
- Insurers like Ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe are popular for their digital ease and expat-friendly features, but comparing tariffs carefully is important due to differences in waiting periods, coverage caps, and exclusions.
- A bonus system in statutory insurance increases reimbursement for dentures if regular check-ups have been attended consistently for 5 or 10 years.
In summary, the best dental insurance supplements for people insured under statutory health insurance in Germany are those offering higher coverage of premium materials, implants, professional cleanings, and adult orthodontics at reasonable monthly premiums (~5–50+ €), with providers like Ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe leading among expat-friendly options. The exact cost and coverage levels vary by plan, so careful comparison is advised to match individual dental health needs and budget.
For a 30-year-old employee with a selected dental benefit of at least 70% and no risk tariffs, the most expensive tariff is 29.69 euros and the cheapest is 9.70 euros per month. Both risk and age-reserve tariffs are subject to general contribution increases under certain conditions in private health insurance. Dental treatments are a main area where private health insurers offer additional tariffs, and the number of top tariffs in dental insurance is continuously increasing, with most covering between 70% and 90% of treatment costs.
- Recognizing the limitations of statutory health insurance in covering premium materials and advanced dental care, other insurance options like supplementary dental insurance can offer expanded coverage for a more comprehensive dental care experience, including high-quality materials, professional teeth cleanings, implants, and orthodontics for adults.
- In the health-and-wellness sector, dental tariffs are not only focused on basic care. Many supplementary dental insurance providers offer coverage for preventative care, premium materials, and cosmetic dental work, setting them apart from statutory health insurance.
