Nowadays, health insurance is considered as healthcare insurance, and when buying health insurance, it is also a form of self-protection for one’s health. In which, participants will be reimbursed by state agencies for a portion or all of the cost of medical examinations and treatments.
Besides, many people wonder if health insurance covers the cost of dental scaling and how much it costs when having health insurance, which is a matter of great concern to many people.
Is dental scaling covered by insurance, for instance? And if so, what are the typical out-of-pocket costs for dental scaling with insurance? These are common questions that many people have? Let’s follow BeDental’s news below to understand more about this issue!
Understanding dental scaling – Is dental scaling covered by insurance ?
Many people wonder about the extent of their coverage, especially when it comes to dental procedures. Is dental scaling covered by insurance, for instance? Let’s delve into this common question and explore the intricacies of dental scaling and insurance benefits.
What is dental scaling?
Dental scaling (also known as dental plaque) is a long-term buildup of food residue on the teeth that accumulates and forms dental plaque. This buildup can lead to various oral health issues, making scaling an essential part of preventive dental care. But is dental scaling covered by insurance? The answer depends on several factors, including your specific insurance plan and the reason for the scaling.

Dental scaling is a layer of white or brown plaque that forms due to the process of food residue remaining and sticking to the teeth or gums, causing aesthetic problems and some dangerous oral health issues such as pulpitis, bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation, bad breath, etc.
Should dental scaling be done regularly? Is dental scaling covered by insurance?
Many people confuse regular dental scaling with the idea that the more dental scaling, the better. If dental scaling is done excessively, it can cause serious damage to the teeth and gums. Regular dental scaling, done too closely together, can harm the gums, tooth structure, and tooth enamel.
Therefore, you should only undergo regular dental check-ups as instructed by your dentist, as they will assess the condition of your teeth and schedule dental scaling at the most appropriate intervals.
See more: What is white tongue disease?
For mild cases with good dental hygiene and less plaque buildup, dental scaling may be done once every 6 months. So Is dental scaling covered by insurance?
On the other hand, for more severe cases due to habits such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as drinking coffee and tea, which lead to excessive plaque buildup and bacterial growth, dental scaling may be required every 3 months.
To ensure the effectiveness of dental scaling, you should follow your dentist’s instructions and avoid excessive or insufficient dental scaling, as using it as a teeth whitening tool can greatly affect your oral health.
What dental scaling benefits can be covered by health insurance? Is dental scaling covered by insurance?
In terms of oral health care, dental scaling is essential. And according to your doctor’s recommendation, you will have a certain schedule for dental check-ups and scaling, usually every 6 months, and the cost for each dental scaling session is not too high. However, some individuals with health insurance may have coverage for dental scaling.

According to Article 21 of the 2014 Health Insurance Law, health insurance will cover the costs of examination and treatment for patients with dental-related diseases as prescribed by a doctor. This also means that whether dental scaling can be covered by health insurance or not depends on the condition of your oral health at that time.
Cases eligible for support from health insurance when undergoing dental scaling:
Dental Scaling Covered by Insurance: Children
After reaching 6 months of age or when the first tooth erupts, doctors will examine the oral health of the child. At the age of 3-5 years, the child needs to have their teeth cleaned (2 times per year).
Dental scaling for children, when prescribed by a doctor, will be covered by health insurance.
Dental Scaling Covered by Insurance: Adults
Whether dental scaling is covered by health insurance or not depends on the condition of your teeth and some specific cases that are eligible for coverage include:
When dental scaling is necessary to treat gum inflammation, bleeding gums, gum recession, tooth impaction, periodontitis, etc. In these cases, the dentist requests dental scaling to support your treatment, and you will be eligible for health insurance coverage.
Regular dental scaling is considered a dental service, so you will not be covered for the cost of regular scaling.
Procedures to enjoy health insurance benefits when undergoing dental scaling:
Step 1: Obtain a medical examination and registration at the insurance-covered clinic
If you’re visiting the dental clinic for the first time to check on dental scaling covered by insurance, you’ll need to purchase a medical examination book and register at the health insurance counter. When it’s your turn, inquire about the specifics of dental scaling coverage and present the necessary documents, including your health insurance card and identification.
- Identification card or passport, driver’s license, etc., for identification purposes.
- Valid health insurance card.
- If dental scaling is performed at a non-contracted facility, you will need an additional referral letter from the referring hospital.
Step 2: Consultation with the dentist
The dentists will examine your teeth to assess their condition and provide guidance on the appropriate solution for your dental health. They will also instruct you on how to care for your teeth after dental scaling..

Step 3: Proceed with dental scaling
Based on the initial examination results, the dentists will proceed with dental scaling for you.
Dental scaling is a simple procedure and not as complicated as surgery or tooth extraction. When performing dental scaling, anesthesia or antibiotics are not used, only dental instruments are used to clean the teeth. The process of dental scaling takes about 15 – 30 minutes.
Step 4: Consultation – Payment for dental scaling with health insurance
After completing the dental scaling, the dentist will provide instructions on eating, oral hygiene, and may prescribe medication for you to take in case of tooth sensitivity or gum swelling.
After that, you should return to the payment counter. In addition, you will receive the medications covered by health insurance, and the staff will calculate the total cost for you to check.
The price of dental scaling with health insurance
To understand how dental scaling is covered by insurance, let’s look at the service price list determined by the Ministry of Health in Circular 13/2019/TT-BYT. The services covered by health insurance are as follows:
- Dental scaling and polishing for both jaws: 134,000 VND
- Dental scaling and polishing for one area or one jaw: 77,000 VND
- Normal tooth extraction of tooth number 8: 215,000 VND
- Tooth extraction of tooth number 8 with complications of impaction: 342,000 VND
According to these regulations, if you undergo dental scaling and tooth extraction as instructed by the dentist, the costs will be covered by health insurance. If you choose to undergo dental scaling and tooth extraction for cosmetic purposes without a doctor’s recommendation, they will not be covered by health insurance.
The price of dental scaling with health insurance depends on the specific category and whether it is within the designated healthcare network or outside the network, as follows:
Price of dental scaling with health insurance within the designated network
Free of charge for certain categories, including police officers, military personnel, individuals with contributions to the revolution, veterans, children over 6 years old, individuals from poor households, and individuals with continuous health insurance coverage.
Price of dental scaling with social insurance within the designated network

95% coverage of costs for individuals receiving pensions, monthly labor loss allowances, and individuals from near-poor households.
Price of dental scaling covered by insurance outside the designated network
For patients seeking dental scaling covered by insurance, going outside the designated network can result in lower costs:
- 40% reduction in treatment costs at central hospitals
- 60% reduction in inpatient treatment costs until December 31, 2020, at provincial hospitals
- 100% reduction in medical examination and treatment costs at district-level hospitals.
Where can I find dental clinics or hospitals where dental scaling is covered by insurance?
The extent to which dental scaling is covered by insurance varies from hospital to hospital. Most large hospitals do offer some level of coverage for dental scaling. Specifically, hospitals like the Central Odonto-Stomatology Hospital, Military Hospital 108, Bach Mai Hospital, and University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital include dental scaling covered by insurance within their dental treatment options.
International hospitals such as Thu Cuc, Vinmec, and Hong Ngoc also have policies to implement health insurance for dental diagnosis and treatment. In addition, some private clinics also apply health insurance to ensure customers can use the best dental services while saving costs.
Is health insurance really necessary for dental scaling?
Although dental scaling is supported by health insurance in large hospitals, you may wonder if it is necessary to use health insurance for dental scaling. If you are still undecided, BeDental will list some reasons to have a more objective view of dental scaling services at external dental clinics. You should consider them.
- Using health insurance procedures can be quite complicated
Before heading to a hospital for dental scaling covered by insurance, be prepared for a potentially complicated process. You’ll need to gather various documents, including your health insurance card, identification, and possibly a health insurance examination booklet. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, it can be time-consuming and confusing.
If it is a child who does not have an ID card or proof of identity, you need to bring a notarized copy of their birth certificate.

- The amount received from social insurance is not significant.
The cost of dental scaling at external dental clinics and public hospitals is generally low. The price for a dental scaling procedure starts from 150,000 VND. Therefore, health insurance can cover a few tens to a few hundred thousand VND for you.
- Not all hospitals apply insurance policies.
Finding where dental scaling is covered by insurance can be tricky. It’s usually only applicable at large public hospitals, which can be time-consuming. If you go to these hospitals, you might wait in line for hours just to get a dental scaling procedure that costs a few hundred thousand VND. Is it worth it?
Currently, some public hospitals are overloaded, which can lead to unprofessional attitudes from staff, causing discomfort for patients.
When researching whether dental scaling is covered by health insurance, there are many inconveniences. This hinders dental scaling and increasingly affects oral health.
Therefore, a better way to receive timely treatment is to directly visit reputable dental clinics with professional dental teams to receive attentive and modern dental care. Dental scaling is no longer a cause for concern for you.
BeDental – A reputable dental clinic for dental scaling without worries about insurance.
In general, the cost of dental scaling is not too expensive, but health insurance procedures can be cumbersome, especially in large hospitals where it is always crowded. Not only do you have to wait in line early, but the procedures are also complex and involve multiple steps. In addition, there are cases where staff members have unprofessional attitudes, making the dental examination and treatment process uncomfortable.
Furthermore, not all hospitals invest in modern painless ultrasonic dental scaling technology like the Cavitron BP 8.0. The cost at private dental clinics is also quite competitive.

At BeDental, anyone can choose to self-pay for dental scaling services without going through the cumbersome procedures of health insurance claims, as the price for dental scaling here ranges from only 150,000 to 300,000 VND.
Furthermore, you will receive comprehensive dental care from A to Z, including overall oral hygiene, painless deep ultrasonic dental scaling, and teeth polishing to prevent plaque buildup.
Moreover, BeDental regularly offers discount programs to help you save on costs.
Price list for reference:
Danh mục | From | Unit | Giá thành |
---|---|---|---|
Kin Gingival 250ml (Kin gingivitis and surgery treatment mouthwash) | Spain | 1 unit | 180.000 ~ 7$ |
Kin Toothpaste 75ml (Gingivitis and surgery toothpaste) | Spain | 1 unit | 180.000 ~ 7$ |
Kin B5 Enjuague 500ml (Daily mouthwash) | Spain | 1 unit | 310.000 ~ 12$ |
Kin B5 toothpaste 125ml (Daily toothpaste) | Spain | 1 unit | 200.000 ~ 8$ |
Sensi Kin 250 (Sensitive mouthwash) | Spain | 1 unit | 250.000 ~ 10$ |
Sensi kin gel (Sensitive Gel) | Spain | 1 unit | 180.000 ~ 7$ |
Perio kin (Gingivitis And surgery treatment Gel) | Spain | 1 unit | 180.000 ~ 7$ |
Ortho Kin 500ml (Orthodontic mouthwash) | Spain | 1 unit | 310.000 ~ 12$ |
Ortho Kin toothpaste ( Orthodontic toothpaste) | Spain | 1 unit | 180.000 ~ 7$ |
Water Flosser Procare (More detail......) | 1 unit | 1.850.000 ~ 73$ |
|
Water Flosser Oralpick (More detail......) | 1 unit | 1.950.000 ~ 77$ |
|
*Price list of dental treatment support products - not applicable when purchasing online |
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to the price of dental scaling with health insurance, it is important to consider the overall value and convenience. While dental scaling covered by insurance is possible, the associated procedures and limitations can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
On the other hand, opting for self-payment at a reputable dental clinic like BeDental ensures a straightforward and cost-effective experience. With transparent pricing and comprehensive dental care, BeDental allows individuals to receive high-quality dental scaling without the hassle of navigating insurance procedures. By prioritizing patient satisfaction and offering competitive prices, BeDental provides an alternative option that maximizes both affordability and convenience when it comes to dental scaling
See more: Causes of bitter taste in mouth
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