Dental Insurance in the Philippines for Expats
Expats living in the Philippines can get a private dental insurance plan, use the universal PhilHealth scheme established by the government, or pay their dental bills out of pocket. A private international insurance plan can cost as low as $124 a month, and it can double for health insurance.
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Are you an expatriate, digital nomad, or international traveler looking for dental insurance solutions? Do you want help finding a dentist in the Philippines and figuring out how to pay the bills?
This Pacific Prime blog post is for you! We break down in detail how you can find a dentist in the Philippines, your insurance and non-insurance options for covering your expenses, what insurance covers, who the top international providers are, and how much insurance can cost.
By the end, you’ll have a foundational understanding of Philippines dental insurance for expats! We also highly encourage you to take the time to become familiar with international health insurance in the Philippines so your general health can have coverage too.
And of course, reach out to us with any questions you may have.
As a brokerage, we are here to offer you advice about your insurance needs without having a bias toward any one particular provider; rather, we partner with dozens and encourage you to find the dealer and plan that best suits you!
How Expats Can Find a Dentist in the Philippines
Expats can find a dentist in the Philippines by getting referrals from people they know and trust, searching online for dentists near you, browsing other sources of local listings, and walking into a dentist’s office you see on the street.
Finding a Dentist in the Philippines with Referrals
Getting a referral for a dentist from someone you trust may be the best method for finding a dentist in the Philippines as an expatriate. Ask around with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. Also talk to your fellow expats on forums such as:
- Philippines Expat Forum
- Philippines Expats
- Expat.com
- Expat Exchange
- Philippines Expats on Reddit
- Expats in Philippines Forum on Facebook
Finding a Dentist in the Philippines with an Online Search
An excellent way to find a dentist in the Philippines as an expat or a medical tourist is by searching for clinics online. A few online sites you might consider using are:
Some sites may even let you set up an appointment directly.
If you visit the Philippine Dental Association, you may be able to verify a dentist’s credentials and level of training before you make your final selection. If not on this website, you can check the same on their private website.
Finding a Dentist in the Philippines with Local Listings
Expats who have moved to the Philippines can use local listings to find a dentist. You can find these by noticing clinics you pass on the street and referencing sources such as Google Maps, Yelp, and Yellow Pages.
There may also be ads in local newspapers, magazines, or TV shows.
Finding a Dentist in the Philippines with Walk-Ins
You can always enter a random dentist’s office you find as a walk-in (without having set up an appointment beforehand) and see if they can provide you with treatment. If nothing else, this can give you a first impression of their clinic and let you set up an appointment later if they are booked.
Ways Expats Can Pay for Dental Care in the Philippines
Expats can choose to pay for their dental care in the Philippines with a private dental insurance plan, the Philippines’ national health insurance scheme – PhilHealth – or by paying the full bill out of pocket. You may also choose a combination of these three.
Private Dental Insurance in the Philippines for Expats
Expats living in the Philippines may want to get a private dental insurance plan. This can be a stand-alone plan or it can be included as part of a greater health insurance plan for Philippines expats. Most international dental insurance plans cover routine treatments and some major treatments.
If you need coverage for major dental treatments, you may need to select a dental plan with more comprehensive benefits.
Waiting Periods for Dental Insurance
Most dental insurance plans for international travelers have a waiting period of about 10 – 12 months. This means that you must have an established health insurance plan with your provider for the full waiting period before your dental benefits begin and you can file claims.
You can only claim coverage for dental treatments that were administered after the waiting period was done. Because of the nature of waiting periods, it is in your best interest to secure a private insurance plan as soon as possible so you can begin the stretch of your waiting period.
PhilHealth: National Health Insurance
Basic dental care is covered by PhilHealth, the national health insurance scheme in the Philippines. PhilHealth provides accessible, available, and affordable universal health insurance for Filipinos. Fully employed citizens get automatic membership.
Others can register manually in a PhilHealth office or online. Foreigners living in the Philippines can register as informal economy members if they voluntarily pay their insurance premiums.
In addition to covering dental treatment, PhilHealth can offer coverage for:
- Inpatient Care
- Outpatient Care
- Severe Conditions
- Maternity Care
- Mental Health Services
As of the year 2024-2025, monthly premiums will be about 5% of your earned monthly salary, and you will split that amount between yourself and your employer (so you personally will pay about 2.5% of your monthly salary).
Out-of-Pocket Payments
If you choose not to purchase insurance or don’t qualify for Philhealth, you will need to pay for your dental care out of pocket. This means you will be responsible for paying the full value for all of your medical bills yourself.
What Expat Dental Insurance Can Cover in the Philippines
Dental insurance designed for expatriates and digital nomads living in the Philippines can cover routine dental treatments, such as tooth cleanings and x-rays, and major dental treatments, such as bridgework and root scaling.
Routine Dental Treatment
Routine dental treatments most often covered by international dental insurance include:
- Consultations & Examinations
- Tooth Cleanings
- X-rays
- Local anesthesia
- Simple Fillings
- Root Canal Treatment
- Emergency Treatment
- Occlusion bar
Major Dental Treatment
If you get a more comprehensive dental plan, it will usually cover almost all major dental problems. This includes, but is not limited to, the following treatments:
- Tooth Adjustment
- Periodontitis Treatment
- Gingivitis Treatment
- Bridgework and Repairs
- Temporary Crowns
- Porcelain Crowns
- Gold Jackets
- Membrane Treatment
- Root Scaling
Top Dental Insurers for Foreigners in the Philippines
Among the top dental insurers for foreigners living abroad in the Philippines are Allianz Care, Cigna Global, and Bupa. These three providers have well-established networks and insurance plans that can provide you coverage for your dental needs.
- Allianz: Allianz Care offers three main plans for expat individuals and families: Allianz Care, Allianz Care Plus, and Allianz Care Pro plans. These products include inpatient, emergency outpatient, and emergency outpatient dental treatment. All three plans include an optional add-on for a more comprehensive dental plan.
- Cigna: Cigna Global has four core international health insurance plans for expats: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Close Care. Cigna’s products include individual and family health insurance, dental insurance, international health insurance, employee plans, employer group solutions, and more.Cigna’s optional dental plans can include coverage for major restorative treatments and orthodontic treatments.
- Bupa: Bupa offers four international health insurance plans: Major Medical, Select, Premier, and Elite. Bupa’s Premier and Elite plans come with coverage for dental and optical care. Coverage for routine dental cleanings has a waiting period that’s as short as six months!
Cost of Private Dental Insurance for Philippines Expats
Private dental insurance for Philippines expats can be as low as $124 a month! This quote estimate goes to Allianz Care’s plan Care Smile, and it includes inpatient medical coverage. The exact cost of plans depends on your age, country of residence, plan selected, level of coverage, and more.
To help you get a small idea of how much dental insurance may cost you, we’ve gathered a few premiums from some of the best international dentist providers in the Philippines.
The following chart includes quote estimates for dental insurance plans in the Philippines for a 30-year-old. All plans listed include inpatient coverage and dental coverage, and some plans include additional benefits that are not mentioned.
Cost of Philippines Dental Insurance Plans for Expats |
||
| Insurer | Plan Name | Premium Cost |
| Allianz | Care Smile | $124 |
| Cigna | Silver | $128 |
| Bupa | Worldwide Health Options (Wellbeing, Dental) | $249 |
| IHI Bupa | IHHP | $370 |
To review these specific plans, their benefits, and how their monthly premiums can be adjusted when their annual limits and deductibles are adjusted, explore our insurance quote generator yourself.
If you need help getting a quote or have other questions, contact our insurance experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an expat from America get dental coverage in the Philippines?
Expats from any country, including the United States, can get dental coverage in the Philippines. Typically you will be looking for a dental plan designed for expats or foreigners called an international dental insurance plan, though you could use a local dental provider as well.
How much does PhilHealth cost American expats?
As of the year 2024-2025, PhilHealth’s monthly premium is 5%. Expats from America who want to use the Philippines PhilHealth insurance scheme will be expected to contribute a monthly premium from their salary; if they have an employer, they will shoulder 50% of that monthly premium.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you should have a much better understanding of your dental insurance options, what your insurance may cover, how much it’ll cost you, and which providers you can begin looking into.
If you’d like assistance comparing dental insurance providers and their quotes, let us help you! Fill out our contact form, and we’ll get back to you shortly. You can also compare quotes and plans yourself online.
If you found value in this article, you’ll also want to read our posts Best Travel Insurance in the Philippines and What is the Cost of Insurance in the Philippines for Expats?
You can also check out our video with 5 tips for buying dental insurance!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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