There is a moment that almost every Spaniard living in Switzerland experiences at some point. They go to the dentist, the professional explains what needs to be done, and then gives them the budget. Then they look at the paper, they look at the dentist, they look at the paper again. Because in Spain the basics are covered by Social Security. In Switzerland, LAMal covers virtually no dentistry.
By "practically nothing" we mean exactly that: no fillings, no cleanings, no tooth decay extractions, no orthodontics. The only cases in which LAMal pays anything related to teeth are serious systemic diseases that affect the oral tissues, or accidents that have damaged the teeth. Outside of that, everything comes out of the pocket. A basic cleaning can cost between 100 and 200 CHF. A filling, between 150 and 300 CHF. Endodontics, between CHF 1 000 and CHF 2 500. One kroner, between 1 500 and 2 500 CHF. These figures are not from a fancy clinic. These are the usual prices in Switzerland.
There are outlets. Supplemental insurance (ACL) for almost all boxes includes dental modules that cover between 50% and 75% of expenses, with an annual cap that varies by plan. They cost between 20 and 60 CHF per month depending on the coverage chosen. And those who live near the border have another option that many people use: the dentist in France, where prices are significantly lower. It is not uncommon, many Swiss residents of the border areas do it with total normality.
For families with children, the situation varies by canton. Geneva covers certain dental treatments for under 18s. Vaud has its own rules. There is no uniformity at the federal level. What is universal is the face that is put on on the first visit.