Taking out dental insurance for your child: A guide to financial security
12/07/2025
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Around one in two children in Germany needs braces, but statutory health insurance often only covers part of the cost. Dental supplementary insurance for children can close this gap and help offset costs in the thousands. We show you when and how to best protect your child.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Dental insurance for children makes sense, as statutory health insurance (GKV) only covers the cost of braces (often several thousand euros) in cases of severe misalignment (KIG 3-5).
The best time to complete it is between the ages of three and five, before an orthodontist has diagnosed a misalignment.
When choosing a tariff, look for high reimbursement rates (at least 80–90%), inclusion of all KIG stages, short waiting periods and sufficient preventive care benefits.
Brace cost trap: Why statutory health insurance often isn’t enough
Statutory health insurance (GKV) only covers the cost of braces under strict conditions. The key factor is classification in the orthodontic indication groups (KIG), which divide the severity of the misalignment into five stages. Costs are only covered from KIG stage 3, i.e. in the case of a pronounced misalignment that must be treated for medical reasons.
Milder misalignments in KIG stages 1 and 2 are regarded as an aesthetic issue, and treatment costs of up to 4,000 euros must be paid in full privately. Even where the GKV does cover the costs (KIG 3-5), parents must first pay an upfront contribution of twenty per cent. Although this amount is reimbursed once treatment has been successfully completed, it still represents a financial burden for many families. In addition, there are costs for modern and more comfortable options that go beyond standard care.
Scope of cover: What a good children’s dental insurance policy covers
A powerful dental supplementary insurance closes precisely the gaps left by statutory health insurance (GKV). It not only reduces your out-of-pocket share, but also expands access to high-quality care options. A key advantage is coverage for orthodontic treatments, including KIG levels 1 and 2. This ensures your child receives the necessary correction, even if it does not fall under the strict GKV rules.
In addition, many policies cover important supplementary benefits that can quickly cost several hundred euros. These include, for example:
Modern treatment methods: Costs for discreet ceramic brackets or lingual braces, which can cost up to 1,500 euros more, are covered in part or in full.
Professional teeth cleaning: Especially for wearers of fixed braces, intensive preventive care is important to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Many policies reimburse the 80 to 120 euros per cleaning.
Fissure sealing: Protection of the back teeth against tooth decay is often only paid for by the GKV for the two rearmost molars. A private insurance policy covers sealing for all back teeth.
High-quality fillings: Instead of amalgam, the costs for tooth-coloured composite fillings are reimbursed at 100 per cent.
A calculation example: A brace costs 4,500 euros. The GKV covers the standard rate of 3,000 euros for KIG 3. For supplementary benefits such as better brackets and a retainer for stabilisation, 1,500 euros are incurred. A good insurance policy covers ninety per cent of this, i.e. 1,350 euros.
The right time: when you should take out the insurance
The ideal time to take out dental insurance for your child is between the ages of three and five. At this age, the baby teeth are usually complete, but any misalignment has generally not yet been medically diagnosed. This is crucial, because insurers do not cover treatments that have already been identified or recommended. Take out the policy before the orthodontist confirms a need for treatment.
Taking out cover early not only secures you lower premiums, often under €15 per month, but also prevents exclusions from cover. Once a diagnosis is on the table, it is often too late for a comprehensive policy. Early cover is therefore one of the most important strategic decisions for your child's dental health.
Contract details in focus: What you need to pay attention to when choosing a tariff
Not every policy is equally good. To find the best dental supplementary insurance for your child, you should look out for several criteria. The amount of reimbursement for orthodontics is the most important feature. It should be at least eighty, preferably ninety per cent, and should also apply to KIG levels 1 and 2.
Also pay attention to the following points in the policy terms:
Benefit schedule: In the first few years, reimbursement is often limited. A good policy should already provide at least EUR 1,000 for orthodontics in the first year.
Waiting periods: Many tariffs provide an eight-month waiting period before orthodontic benefits can be claimed. However, some providers waive this.
Scope of cover: The policy should explicitly include modern techniques such as invisible aligners, retainers for follow-up care and functional diagnostic services.
Prophylaxis benefits: Cover for professional teeth cleaning should be possible at least once, preferably twice a year, without high co-payments.
A careful comparison of the terms and conditions protects you from unpleasant surprises when making a claim and ensures the best possible treatment.
Expert tip: Health questions and the insured event
When taking out dental supplementary insurance, you must answer health questions truthfully. A common question is: “Has a misalignment of the teeth or jaw been diagnosed, or has treatment been recommended?” A “Yes” often leads to rejection or an exclusion of benefits. Therefore, taking out the policy before your first visit to the orthodontist is so important.
Our expert tip: In orthodontics, the insured event does not occur only when the brace is fitted, but as soon as the doctor draws up the treatment and cost plan. An orthodontic insurance policy taken out only after this point will no longer provide cover for this specific case. So plan ahead to ensure full protection.
Conclusion: Act proactively and save costs
Yes, you can and should take out dental insurance for your child to minimise financial risks and secure first-class treatment. Statutory health insurance covers only a fraction of the possible costs, particularly for minor misalignments and modern treatment methods. A good policy for under 20 euros a month can save you four-figure sums.
The key to success lies in acting early and carefully comparing the plans. This creates the foundation for your child’s healthy smile without breaking the bank. The right cover gives you the freedom to make decisions in the interests of health rather than the size of your wallet.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
Health equity provides a report on children’s dental health in Germany, which is world-leading, but does not reach all children equally.
National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) provides information on measures to prevent early childhood caries.
German Dental Association (BZAEK) provides information on prevention in children’s and adolescent dentistry.
Federal Ministry of Health provides information on the recommended dental check-ups.
National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds contains a press release on the topic of dental health.
German Society for Paediatric Dentistry (DGKiZ) provides comprehensive information and resources on paediatric dentistry.
FAQ
From what age can I take out dental insurance for my child?
You can often take out supplementary dental insurance for your child from birth. It makes sense to take out cover by the age of three to five at the latest, as by then the baby teeth are all in place and, as a rule, no misalignments have yet been diagnosed.
What happens if I cancel before the treatment is completed?
If you terminate the contract, entitlement to benefits also ends. Any treatments already started must then be paid for in full by you from the time of termination. The right to reimbursement of the GKV co-payment may also be jeopardised.
Are waiting periods common in dental supplementary insurance for children?
Yes, in the field of orthodontics, there is often a special waiting period of eight months. However, some plans also offer immediate cover without waiting periods, which is an important comparison criterion.
Does the insurance also cover discreet or “invisible” braces?
High-performance plans also cover the additional costs of more aesthetically pleasing solutions. These include tooth-coloured ceramic brackets, lingual braces fitted on the inside of the teeth, or clear aligner trays, which are not paid for by the statutory health insurance scheme.
What is the difference between the co-payment and private supplementary services?
The co-payment is the twenty per cent of the standard treatment costs that you initially pay for a health insurance benefit (KIG 3-5) and later get reimbursed. Private additional services are all costs for treatments that go beyond the standard of statutory health insurance (e.g. better materials) and must be paid in full by you.
Can I claim the premiums for dental insurance as a tax deduction?
Yes, contributions to supplementary dental insurance can be claimed in your tax return as part of preventative expenses. This applies, together with other insurance contributions, up to the statutory maximum amounts.
