Prices up, coverage down
Supplementary dental insurance in the Netherlands has changed in a way many customers will recognise: it costs more, and it often covers less. Research by comparison site Independer shows that the cheapest dental add-on policy has become 73% more expensive since 2016, while the amount covered for common, routine dental care has dropped.
The result is that many people are questioning whether dental insurance still makes sense, especially the basic, lower-tier packages.
Why many people are quitting dental insurance
Independer says fewer Dutch residents are choosing a dental add-on for 2026. Its figures indicate that about 3 in 10 people still pick supplementary dental insurance, and that this share has fallen sharply over the past five years.
In Independer’s survey work, people mainly point to rising premiums and limited reimbursements as the reason they drop coverage, rather than saying they no longer need dental care.
Dutch broadcaster RTL reported a similar message: insurers have adjusted policies as fewer people buy broad coverage, often by adding exclusions and tightening conditions, so premiums do not fall much even when coverage becomes smaller.
A key reason, basic insurance barely covers adult dental care
For adults, Dutch basic health insurance generally does not cover routine dental care. The standard package mainly covers common dental treatment for children up to 18, not for most adults.
This is why many adults buy supplementary dental coverage in the first place. But those add-ons are optional, vary widely, and can be poor value if your annual reimbursement limit is close to what you pay in premiums.
Photo Credits: Benyamin Bohlouli/Unsplash
Why dental add-ons often don’t “pay for themselves”
Consumer organisations have long warned that many dental add-ons are only worth it for people who expect significant costs. The Consumentenbond notes that a typical structure is “pay a premium for a maximum annual reimbursement,” which can mean you pay close to the same amount you might get back, especially in the cheaper tiers.
Dutch advice sites make the same point in 2026 comparisons: cheaper dental add-ons exist, but they often cap payouts at €150–€250 per year and limit what they reimburse beyond check-ups.
What this looks like for households in 2026
Independer’s broader findings suggest a behavioural shift: rather than choosing a more expensive plan, many people respond by choosing no dental cover, or by choosing lower coverage to keep premiums down.
This matters because dental bills can be unpredictable. A routine check-up is manageable for many households, but treatments like fillings, root canals, or crowns can quickly become expensive, meaning people who drop insurance may face bigger out-of-pocket costs later.
What to do if you’re deciding for 2026
If you’re trying to decide whether a dental add-on is worth it, the most practical approach is simple:
Compare your annual premium with the policy’s maximum reimbursement (and check what is excluded).
If you mostly need check-ups and hygiene visits, it may be cheaper to pay directly rather than insure.
If you expect major work next year, check whether the plan reimburses those treatments and whether there are waiting periods or limits.
