Dental Care in Malta: Public Treatment, Private Dentists and Costs

Most adults in Malta use a private dentist for routine check-ups, cleaning, fillings, crowns and ongoing treatment. Public dental services exist but are targeted and capacity/referral rules apply; public-health entitlement does not mean every routine dental treatment is free.

Where to go

• Severe swelling, facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or breathing difficulty: call 112 or attend the emergency route directed by the service.
• Urgent tooth pain: contact a private dentist for the fastest ordinary route, or ask Primary HealthCare about current emergency/public eligibility.
• Hospital oral surgery or specialist condition: a clinician may refer to Mater Dei's Dental Surgery service.
• Routine care: book a registered private dental clinic and ask for the examination price before attending.

Some public preventive/hygiene services and priority groups have separate access rules. Foreign workers paying Malta National Insurance may qualify for particular referred dental-hygiene services, but should confirm rather than assume.

Ask for a written treatment plan

Before non-emergency work, ask the dentist to record:

• Diagnosis and which tooth/surface is affected
• Treatment options, material and expected lifespan
• Itemised fee including X-rays, laboratory work and follow-up
• Number and spacing of visits
• What happens if the tooth needs root treatment or extraction instead
• Warranty/remake policy for laboratory work
• Whether the clinic bills your insurer directly or you claim afterward

Private prices vary too much by treatment to publish a safe universal tariff. Compare like with like: an advertised “cleaning” may not include examination or X-rays, and an implant quote may exclude the crown or imaging.

Bring a medicine/allergy list, previous X-rays if useful, insurance details and your Malta identification. For a child, ask whether the clinic regularly provides paediatric dentistry.

See private health insurance in Malta before buying a dental add-on: annual caps can be lower than the extra premium.

Last reviewed: 9 August 2026. Public access and private fees vary; confirm eligibility and obtain an itemised quotation before treatment.