Supplementary Insurance

Dental Supplementary Insurance

Where statutory insurance stops — and why dental is often the most impactful add-on you can get.

Two dental tariff generations are available — see comparison ↓

The real-world problem

Germany's statutory health insurance (GKV) covers basic dental care. But "basic" often means significant out-of-pocket exposure in the areas that matter most:

  • Crowns and bridges: GKV pays a fixed subsidy (Festzuschuss) — typically covering only 60–75% of the cheapest treatment option. Higher-quality materials, ceramics, or gold increase your personal share significantly.
  • Implants: The GKV fixed subsidy is based on conventional bridge costs. For implant treatment (often €3,000–€5,000+), you bear the difference. A single implant can easily leave €2,000–€3,000+ out of pocket.
  • Inlays: Ceramic or gold inlays are not part of the standard GKV benefit catalogue. Your GKV pays only for the basic filling equivalent.
  • Professional dental cleaning (PZR): Not a standard GKV benefit. Most dentists charge €80–€150 per session. Over years, this accumulates.
  • Orthodontics for children: GKV covers KIG 3–5 severity levels, but KIG 1–2 (mild to moderate) — common in practice — are entirely out of pocket. Even for KIG 3–5, additional costs for modern techniques (mini-brackets, lingual, aligners) are not covered.

What dental supplementary insurance is for

Dental supplementary insurance closes the gap between the GKV fixed subsidy and your actual treatment cost. The stated reimbursement percentage (e.g. 90% or 100%) always includes the GKV portion — meaning:

GKV pays its fixed subsidy + the dental tariff covers your remaining share → together reaching the stated percentage of total cost.

The result: you keep more of your money, even for high-end treatment.

Two dental tariff generations

Two distinct dental supplementary tariff architectures are currently available. Both are actively available and listed in the current premium tables. They differ fundamentally in how premiums are calculated and structured over time.

Dent tariffs (introduced 2017)

Dent70, Dent90, Dent90+, Dent100

  • Age-step risk premiums — premiums adjust at defined age bands (no aging reserves built)
  • No waiting periods
  • Health assessment with health questions
  • Graduated limits in calendar years
  • Additional features: pain relief (Dent90+/100), bleaching (Dent100), private root canal billing

Z tariffs / DentalPro (introduced 2005–2011)

Z50/90, Z70, Z90Bonus, Z100

  • Z50/90, Z70, Z100: calculated "nach Art der Lebensversicherung" — premiums include aging reserves for long-term stability
  • Z90Bonus: exception — uses risk premiums (like Dent tariffs), no aging reserves
  • Waiting periods apply (3 months treatment, 8 months prosthetics/orthodontics)
  • Health assessment with health questions
  • Graduated limits in months

The structural difference is significant: Dent tariffs offer immediate coverage (no waiting periods) and a broader feature set, but premiums increase at defined age steps because no aging reserves are built. Z tariffs (except Z90Bonus) include aging reserves, meaning premiums grow more slowly over time — but require waiting periods and have a more traditional benefit scope.

Which architecture is right for you depends on your planning horizon, your age at entry, and whether you prioritize immediate access or long-term premium stability. A consultation helps clarify which generation fits your situation.

Structural comparison: Dent vs Z

Feature Dent tariffs Z tariffs
Premium model Age-step risk premiums
(no aging reserves)		 Aging reserves*
(*except Z90Bonus → risk premiums)
Waiting periods None 3 months (treatment)
8 months (prosthetics)
Health assessment With health questions With health questions
Graduated limits basis Calendar years Months
Pain relief / sedation Dent90+: €250/yr
Dent100: €350/yr		 —
Bleaching Dent100: €300/2 yrs —
Private root canal billing Dent90/90+/100: 50% —
Adult orthodontics Dent100: 90%
Dent90/90+: accident only		 Z100: 80%, Z90Bonus: 80%
Z70: 70%, Z50/90: 50%

Source: tariff overview (Aug 2022), 2026 premium tables, dental brochure (Feb 2025). All Z and Dent tariffs are currently listed with active premiums.

Dent tariffs in detail

The newer Dent generation offers four tiers, each with no waiting periods and a health assessment with health questions. Premiums are structured as age-step risk contributions — they remain flat within age bands but adjust at transitions (ages 16, 21, 34, 41, 46, 51, 56, 61).

Benefit area Dent70 Dent90 Dent90+ Dent100
Professional cleaning (PZR) €70, 1×/year up to €100, 2×/year
(max. €160/year)		 up to €100, 2×/year
(max. €160/year)		 up to €120, 2×/year
(max. €200/year)
Dental treatment
(incl. GKV portion)		 75% 100% 100% 100%
Dental prosthetics & implants
(incl. GKV portion)		 70% 90%*
(80% w/o Bonusheft)		 90% 100%*
(90% w/o Bonusheft)
Orthodontics (children KIG 1–2) 70% 80% 90% 90%
Orthodontics (children KIG 3–5 extra costs) 70%
max. €1,000		 80%
max. €1,000		 90%
max. €1,500		 90%
max. €2,000
Adult orthodontics — 90%
accident only		 90%
accident only		 90%
Pain relief measures
(sedation, hypnosis, etc.)		 — — max. €250/year max. €350/year
Tooth whitening (Bleaching) — — — max. €300 / 2 years

* Higher reimbursement applies with at least 5 years of documented preventive care (Bonusheft). All percentages include the GKV fixed subsidy. No fee schedule limitations apply. No treatment plan (Heil- und Kostenplan) submission required for reimbursement.

Graduated benefit limits

Both tariff generations apply benefit ceilings during the first years. These limits prevent immediate high-cost claims and do not apply in case of accident.

Dent tariffs (calendar years)

Period Dent70 Dent90 / 90+ Dent100
1st calendar year €500 €1,000 €1,500
1st–2nd calendar year €1,000 €2,000 €3,000
1st–3rd calendar year €1,500 €3,000 €4,500
1st–4th calendar year €2,000 €4,000 €6,000
1st–5th calendar year €2,500 €5,000 €7,500

Z tariffs (months from contract start)

Period Z50/90 Z70 Z90Bonus Z100
First 12 months €310 €400 €1,000 €500
Months 13–24 €620 €800 €2,000 €1,000

Z90Bonus applies 5-year graduated limits (up to €5,000 in 60 months). Z50/90, Z70, and Z100 have a 2-year limit structure. After the limit period, all tariffs cover without restriction. Dent tariffs count in calendar years (potentially advantageous if you start mid-year). Z tariffs count from contract start in months.

Dental services included

Beyond reimbursement, dental tariff holders have access to additional services:

  • Dentist search & recommendation — experts help find suitable dentists in your area and arrange appointments
  • Second opinion service — if a major treatment is recommended, a second medical opinion or alternative treatment estimate can be arranged
  • Treatment cost check — before a planned procedure, the Heil- und Kostenplan is reviewed to check whether your out-of-pocket share can be reduced
  • GesundheitsApp — submit receipts and documents digitally, track reimbursement status, manage your contract

Example: implant cost with dental add-on (Dent tariffs)

Based on a typical implant with total treatment costs of €4,036. Example shows the default reimbursement (without Bonusheft bonus). Higher figures apply with 5+ years of documented preventive care.

Dent70 Dent90 Dent100
GKV fixed subsidy €607 €607 €607
Your cost without dental insurance €3,429 €3,429 €3,429
Insurance reimbursement 70% = €2,400 90% = €3,086 100% = €3,429
Your cost with dental insurance €1,029 €343 €0
You save €2,400 €3,086 €3,429

Default figures shown (without Bonusheft). The GKV fixed subsidy depends on the dental finding and Bonusheft status — not on the chosen tariff. With 5+ years Bonusheft, the GKV subsidy rises to approx. €708. Reimbursement percentages include the GKV fixed subsidy. Graduated benefit limits apply in the first 5 calendar years. Source: dental brochure, Feb 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Does German public insurance pay for implants?

Only partially. The GKV pays a fixed subsidy (Festzuschuss) calculated on the basis of the cheapest conventional treatment — usually a bridge. For an implant with total costs of ~€4,000, the GKV subsidy is typically around €600–€700 (depending on Bonusheft status). The remainder is out of pocket. This makes implants one of the most impactful areas for dental supplementary insurance.

Why is dental cover often the most important add-on?

Because the gap between GKV coverage and real-world cost is largest in dental care. A crown, implant, or orthodontic treatment can easily cost €1,500–€5,000, of which GKV covers only a small fraction. Unlike hospital or preventive add-ons, dental costs hit most people at some point — making dental supplementary insurance one of the most frequently used and cost-effective add-ons.

What about professional cleanings (PZR)?

Professional dental cleaning is not a standard GKV benefit. Most dentists charge €80–€150 per session. The dental tariffs cover PZR up to €70–€200 per year depending on the tariff level, often covering the full cost of 1–2 annual sessions. In the Z-tariff range, Z100 covers PZR at 100%, Z90Bonus covers up to 2×€60/year, and Z70 does not include PZR.

Are there waiting periods?

It depends on the tariff generation. Dent tariffs (Dent70–100) have no waiting periods — coverage begins immediately. Z tariffs (Z50/90, Z70, Z90Bonus, Z100) apply waiting periods: 3 months for dental treatment and 8 months for prosthetics and orthodontics. In both generations, graduated benefit limits apply during the initial years.

Can the Z-tariff waiting periods be waived?

Yes. The waiting periods for Z tariffs can be waived if you submit a dental assessment report (zahnärztlicher Befundbericht) within two weeks of your application. Waiting periods also do not apply to treatment resulting from an accident after the insurance began.

Can missing teeth be covered?

Yes. Up to 3 missing or already replaced teeth can be included in the coverage — with a risk surcharge of 20% per tooth on the premium. Teeth that were extracted as part of orthodontic treatment or third molars (wisdom teeth) generally do not count as missing teeth.

What is the Bonusheft and why does it matter?

The Bonusheft is a dental check-up booklet documenting your annual preventive visits. With at least 5 years of documented care, the GKV fixed subsidy increases — and in the Dent90, Dent100, Z90Bonus, and Z100 tariffs (where Bonusheft logic applies), the reimbursement percentage also improves. Maintaining your Bonusheft is one of the easiest ways to maximize your coverage.

How do aging reserves differ between Dent and Z tariffs?

Dent tariffs use age-step risk premiums: your premium stays flat within an age band but increases at defined transitions (e.g., at ages 34, 41, 46). No reserves are built for the future. In contrast, Z50/90, Z70, and Z100 are calculated "nach Art der Lebensversicherung" — a portion of your premium builds aging reserves, which slows premium growth over time. Z90Bonus is the exception: despite being a Z-tariff, it uses risk premiums (like the Dent line) and does not build aging reserves.

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