Everyday dental care
You will know what is free, where to go for urgent pain and how to find a good dentist.
Dental care in Spain works differently from the rest of the health system. Most of it is private, and the public system covers only a small part. This section explains what is free, where to go for urgent pain, how to find a good dentist, what to expect at a first visit, how children's dental care…
Pick the article that fits your situation
What public healthcare covers for adult teeth and gums
Public healthcare in Spain pays for only a narrow set of adult dental care: advice, urgent pain and infection treatment, and urgent extractions. This page shows where public cover ends and private care begins, for adults living in Spain.
Where to go for a dental emergency (urgencia dental)
Shows where to go in Spain for severe tooth pain, swelling or a broken tooth: public health centre or hospital, or a private same-day clinic. It also explains which signs mean you should go straight to hospital. For anyone living in Spain.
Finding and choosing a dentist (dentista) you can trust
How to choose a private dentist in Spain whether you pick a chain or an independent clinic: check the dentist's professional registration, confirm the clinic is authorised, and spot the warning signs before you pay for anything.
What to expect at your first Spanish dental check-up (revisión)
What happens at a first private dental check-up in Spain, what it may cost, and how to tell normal advice from pressure to buy more treatment. For newcomers choosing a dentist.
Children's public dental programme (Plan de Atención Dental Infantil)
Explains who can use the free regional dental programme for children, what it usually covers and what it leaves out. For parents who have just arrived in Spain and want to know if their child qualifies.
Continuing dental treatment started abroad
Explains which dental work to finish before you move, what to bring, and what to expect from a Spanish dentist. It is for anyone with treatment under way or planned who is about to relocate to Spain.
Wisdom teeth and jaw surgery (cirugía maxilofacial) in Spain
Explains how to get wisdom teeth or jaw problems treated in Spain: simple extractions at a dentist, complex cases through a hospital maxillofacial service by referral with waits, or privately. For newcomers deciding which route to take.
About this topic
It is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning the move or already settled.
Start with "What public healthcare covers for adult teeth and gums". It shows where public care stops and private care begins, which makes every other choice easier.
Key rules
- Bleeding limit: Go straight to hospital urgencias, or call 112 if severe, when bleeding does not stop after 15–20 minutes of pressure, or when swelling spreads or you struggle to breathe or swallow.
- Children's age band: The free children's dental programme generally covers children from 6 to 15 years old, although each region sets its own exact age band.
- Adult public cover: For adults, public healthcare covers only basic dental care: advice, treatment of acute pain and infection, and urgent extractions, while fillings, root canals, crowns, implants and dentures are paid privately.
- Routine care: Routine adult dental care, including cleanings and orthodontics, is private.
- Regional extras: Some regions add dental care for specific groups, but there is no national right to it.
- Emergency number: Call 112 if the situation is severe, such as trouble breathing or swallowing.
Everyday dental care: questions that cross several articles
Can I get a filling or a root canal on the public system?
No, as an adult you normally pay privately for fillings and root canals, because public care covers only basic dental care. Some regions add services for specific groups, such as people with disabilities, and usually with eligibility conditions. Read "What public healthcare covers for adult teeth and gums" for the detail.
Where do I go for sudden dental pain at night or on a weekend?
For sudden dental pain outside weekday hours, go to a Punto de Atención Continuada (PAC) or a Servicio de Urgencias de Atención Primaria (SUAP), which open evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Dentists are rarely on duty there, so staff usually give pain relief and antibiotics or refer you on. A private clinic with same-day emergency appointments is another option. Read "Where to go for a dental emergency (urgencia dental)".
How much does a private emergency dental visit cost?
A private emergency consultation typically costs roughly 30–80 euros, and a simple extraction roughly 50–150 euros. Surgical or wisdom-tooth extractions cost more, and out-of-hours visits cost more too. Read "Where to go for a dental emergency (urgencia dental)" and "Wisdom teeth and jaw surgery (cirugía maxilofacial) in Spain".
When is a dental problem serious enough for hospital urgencias or 112?
Go straight to hospital urgencias, or call 112 if severe, when bleeding does not stop after 15–20 minutes of pressure, or when swelling spreads or you struggle to breathe or swallow. Fever with a dental infection or swelling around the eye also needs hospital care.
Which dental emergencies can a public health centre treat?
A public health centre treats acute pain, abscesses, facial swelling from dental causes, trauma, bleeding after an extraction and urgent extractions. Treatment is usually limited to pain relief, antibiotics, draining an infection or removing the tooth. For repair work afterwards, read "Finding and choosing a dentist (dentista) you can trust".
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Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.