The cost of visiting the dentist is set to rise sharply this year, according to two surveys out on Tuesday.

According to health insurance group VGZ in the Telegraaf, dentists’ charges are rising by an average of 10%, but will rise up to 30% for some treatments. VGZ has looked at the fees charged by 200 dentists.

Nos television paints a similar picture in its survey but says there are extremely wide variations in price.
Competition
From 2012, the country’s 7,000 dentists can set their own fees rather than meet government guidelines. The health ministry hopes this will increase competition between dentists and lead to a fall in prices.
The Nos survey, based on 127 dentists found the cost of an annual check-up varying from €19 to €30, while a simple filling varied in price from €26 to €85.
Many health insurers put up the cost of dental insurance this year, in anticipation of the higher fees. However, the amount they are willing to pay per treatment is ‘well below’ the average charges in the Nos survey, the broadcaster said.