You walk into a Swiss dental clinic for the first time. The dentist examines your teeth for a few minutes, takes one X-ray, and you walk out. A week later, a bill for 240 CHF arrives.
If you're new to Switzerland, this feels like a scam. But in the Swiss system, that "5-minute check" follows a very specific legal tariff called DENTOTAR®.
The "Entry Fee" (Code 4.0000)
Every new patient in Switzerland usually undergoes an Initial Examination (Befundaufnahme). Even if you only came for a broken filling, the dentist is legally required to document the state of your entire mouth.
• Clinical Status: Documentation of every tooth, crown, and gap (Required for insurance).
• Periodontal Check: Screening for gum disease (Parodontalstatus).
• Medical History: Processing your health records into their system.
• Tariff Points: Code 4.0000 costs 73.20 Tax Points by default.
Why Is the Bill So High?
The final amount on your invoice is calculated using this formula:
- Point Value (TPW): While the "Points" are fixed by law, the Value of each point is set by the clinic (usually between 1.00 and 1.30 CHF).
- Hidden Documentation: The time the dentist spends writing your medical report after you leave is billed under the same code.
- Mandatory X-rays: Most clinics will not treat a new patient without a "Base X-ray" (Code 4.0500) to check for hidden decay.
🔍 Check Your Invoice Codes
Compare the codes on your bill with the official DENTOTAR® data:
Select a code above to see what's included and the official price range.
How to Lower the Cost of Your First Visit
Ask your previous dentist (even abroad) to email your digital X-rays. If they are less than 12 months old, you can save ~50–100 CHF on new ones.
✅ 2. Choose a Clinic with 1.00 TPW
Clinics in smaller towns or those targeted at families often have a Tax Point Value of 1.00. High-end city clinics may charge 1.30. That's a 30% difference for the same code!
✅ 3. Ask for a "Short Check"
When booking, ask if they can perform a "Limited Examination" (Code 4.0010) if you only have one specific problem. It has fewer tax points than the full initial exam.
Summary for Expats
The first visit is always the most expensive because of the "Administrative and Diagnostic Intake." Once you are a regular patient, simple check-ups (Code 4.0010) are much cheaper.
📖 Complete Swiss Dental Bill Auditor Series
🔢 Taxpunktwert Explained
How Swiss dentists calculate prices using points and multipliers.
🧾 How to Read Your Dental Bill
Decode every DENTOTAR code on your invoice in minutes.
🦷 First Dental Visit in Switzerland
Why the initial examination often costs 150–300 CHF.
✨ Dental Cleaning Costs
Is 160–300 CHF for professional hygiene necessary?
💡 Second Opinion for Dental Work
How to avoid overtreatment and get a reliable second opinion.
🛡️ Supplementary Dental Insurance
Is it worth it in 2026? Honest ROI analysis.