What to expect at your first Spanish dental check-up (revisión)

Terms used

• Presupuesto — The presupuesto is the written quote a clinic gives you listing proposed treatments and their prices.
• Limpieza — The limpieza is a professional hygiene clean of your teeth, usually charged separately from the check-up.
• Ortopantomografía — The ortopantomografía is a panoramic X-ray showing all your teeth and jaws in one image.
• Curetaje — The curetaje is a deep clean below the gum line to treat gum disease.

Key rules

• Quote: Get an itemised written quote before you agree to any treatment.
• Pressure: An offer that expires today is a warning sign, not a good deal.
• Extras: X-rays and a hygiene clean may be charged on top of the first visit, so ask when you book.
• Major work: Get a second opinion from another clinic before agreeing to major work.

What a first visit includes

A first visit (primera visita) at a private clinic usually has four parts: a medical and dental history, a visual check of your teeth and gums, a diagnosis, and a proposed treatment plan with a written quote (presupuesto). Often there are X-rays too.

Many clinics, especially chains and implant or orthodontic clinics, offer the first visit free or cheap. Independent clinics often charge a modest consultation fee, commonly roughly 30 to 60 euros. Some clinics deduct it from any treatment you go on to have.

X-rays

X-rays are common when the dentist wants a full diagnosis. That is often one panoramic X-ray (ortopantomografía), or a few small images. Clinics with a free first visit often include the panoramic X-ray. Others charge for it, typically about 20 to 50 euros. Small single images cost less. Ask when you book whether X-rays are included.

Hygiene clean

A hygiene clean (limpieza) is usually charged separately from the check-up. Some clinics include it in a free first visit or a promotion. A standard clean typically costs about 40 to 80 euros. A deep clean for gum disease (curetaje) costs more and is priced per quadrant or per session. Dentists commonly recommend one or two cleans a year.

What is normal advice

Good practice looks like this:

• The recommendations come from the examination and X-rays.
• The dentist explains them clearly.
• Urgent work is separated from optional work, and alternatives are offered.
• You get an itemised written quote.
• Nobody pushes you to decide on the spot.

Signs of upselling

Be careful if you see any of these:

• A large cosmetic or implant plan with no diagnostic tests.
• An "offer expires today" deadline.
• A bundled price that is not itemised.
• Many treatments recommended for teeth that look healthy.
• Pressure to take financing.

What to do

Ask for the itemised quote and the reason for each item. Ask what happens if you delay. For major work, get a second opinion from another clinic before you agree. The checklist and decision guide below walk you through this.

Choosing between options

Should you accept the treatment plan offered at your first visit?

• Accept the plan: The plan is based on an exam and X-rays, explained clearly, split into urgent and optional items, and given as a written itemised quote with no time pressure.

• Ask for time and a second opinion: The plan is large or involves implants or major cosmetic work, and you want another clinic to confirm it before you commit.

• Decline and walk away: The clinic recommends a big plan without tests, says an offer expires today, gives bundled prices that are not itemised, suggests many treatments for healthy-looking teeth, or pushes financing.

If the plan comes from an exam and X-rays and is put in writing with alternatives, you can go ahead. If it comes with pressure or without tests, take the quote home and get a second opinion.

Checklist

• Ask when you book whether the first visit, the X-rays and a hygiene clean (limpieza) are included or charged extra.

• Ask for an itemised written quote (presupuesto) before you agree to any treatment.

• Ask the dentist to explain the reason for each item on the plan and which items are urgent and which are optional.

• Ask what happens if you delay treatment.

• Walk away from any offer that expires today or any bundled price that is not itemised.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a first dental visit cost in a private clinic?

A first visit often costs nothing or a modest fee, commonly roughly 30 to 60 euros at independent clinics.

Are X-rays included in the first visit price?

X-rays are included in some free first visits, but other clinics charge for them separately.

How often should I have a clean after my first visit?

Dentists commonly recommend one or two cleans a year. Your dentist can tell you which suits your gums after the exam.