AMSTERDAM — The cheapest supplementary dental insurance in the Netherlands has surged 73 percent since 2016, while coverage for routine treatments has declined, according to research by comparison site Independer.
Full-coverage packages rose 32 percent over the same period, and dental treatment costs, including standard checkups, increased 42 percent. A routine checkup, for instance, cost 20 euros in 2016 and now exceeds 28 euros.
“Insurance premiums are rising, and people feel it in their wallets,” said Bas Knopperts, healthcare insurance expert at Independer. “We see more people choosing the cheapest packages, but insurers respond by restricting coverage. Treatments like oral hygiene and X-rays are often no longer reimbursed, yet premiums for these plans are climbing almost as fast. Ultimately, consumers pay more for less coverage.”
Low-cost plans increasingly limit reimbursements for procedures such as anesthesia or X-rays, while premiums continue to rise. Independer notes that people who visit the dentist mainly for checkups may save more by paying out of pocket. Those with extensive dental needs, however, may face costs above the policy’s reimbursement limit.
For example, a plan covering 75 percent up to 250 euros annually with a 120-euro yearly premium would reimburse roughly 142 euros for two cleanings costing 190 euros. Including the premium, total out-of-pocket costs reach 168 euros, a saving of just 22 euros.
Rising costs are prompting many Dutch residents to delay dental care. One in three has postponed an appointment due to expense, and over half of 18–29-year-olds have done so. More than 20 percent have not visited a dentist in over two years.
Similar trends appear in other supplementary insurance, such as physiotherapy or eyewear. Premiums rise when fewer people take out insurance while more use care.
Knopperts advises consumers to compare premiums and coverage annually. “Look not just at the premium, but at what is actually reimbursed. This can save money without sacrificing health.”