Some 2,500 people have so far complained about having to pay extra to visit the dentist, according to the national patients’ federation NPCF, website nu.nl reports.

Since January 1, 2012, dentists have been free to decide how much to charge for treatment. However, most insurance policies only cover a fixed amount of money, leaving patients to make up the difference.
One patient quoted by the website reported being billed nearly €400 for root canal treatment, while her insurer will only pay €225 towards the cost.
‘The whole system was put together too quickly,’ NPCF spokeswoman Nicole Velthuis told website nu.nl. ‘Members of the public have no idea about how quality standards are determined and how to compare dentists’.
Competition
Health minister Edith Schippers believes allowing dentists to decide how much to charge patients will increase competition and improve quality.
Insurance company VGZ said in February dentists were abusing the system by increasing their charges up to 10%. Research by Nos television also indicated fees had gone up sharply.
However, the dentists’ lobby group NMT says insurance companies have put up the cost of dental insurance while reducing coverage.