Japan has excellent dental care — and it’s more affordable than most Western countries. If you’re enrolled in Japanese health insurance, you’re covered for most standard treatments.
Is Dental Covered by Japanese Health Insurance?
Yes — partially.
Japan’s national health insurance (国民健康保険) and employee health insurance (健康保険) both cover dental treatments:
- Covered: Fillings, extractions, root canals, x-rays, cleanings (when medically necessary), dentures
- Not covered: Cosmetic whitening, porcelain/ceramic crowns (only metal covered), invisible aligners, implants, preventive cleanings
You pay 30% of the cost (or less if low income); insurance covers the rest.
How Much Does Dental Care Cost?
| Treatment | With Insurance (30%) | Without Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Initial exam + x-rays | ¥1,000–2,000 | ¥3,000–6,000 |
| Cavity filling (amalgam) | ¥2,000–4,000 | ¥6,000–12,000 |
| Root canal | ¥5,000–10,000 | ¥15,000–30,000 |
| Extraction | ¥2,000–5,000 | ¥6,000–15,000 |
| Crown (metal, insured) | ¥3,000–6,000 | ¥10,000–18,000 |
| Crown (ceramic, not insured) | ¥30,000–80,000 | ¥30,000–80,000 |
| Cleaning (preventive) | ¥1,500–3,000 | ¥3,000–8,000 |
Finding a Dentist in Japan
English-Speaking Dentists
In major cities, English-speaking dentists exist — they’re just not always easy to find.
Resources:
- Yuuniwa — Search English-speaking clinics by specialty and area
- AMDA International Medical Information Center — Bilingual medical referral service: 03-5285-8088
- Your company’s HR — Many large employers have lists of English-friendly clinics
- Expat Facebook groups — Local recommendations in every major city
Regular Japanese Dentists
You don’t need to limit yourself to English-speaking clinics. Most procedures don’t require much verbal communication once you explain the problem.
Useful phrases:
- 虫歯があります (Mushiba ga arimasu) — “I have a cavity”
- 歯が痛いです (Ha ga itai desu) — “My tooth hurts”
- クリーニングをしたいです (Ku-ri-ni-n-gu wo shitai desu) — “I’d like a cleaning”
- 保険が使えますか? (Hoken ga tsukaemasu ka?) — “Can I use insurance?”
What to Bring
- Health insurance card (保険証) — Your employee or national health insurance card
- Residence card (在留カード) — ID
- Cash — Many smaller clinics are cash-only
- Previous dental records — If you have them (x-rays especially are helpful)
The Japanese Dental Experience
A few things differ from what you might be used to:
- Multiple visits are common — Japanese dentists often split treatment across 2–4 visits, billing insurance per session. Don’t be surprised.
- No sedation dentistry — Deep sedation for anxiety is rare. Local anesthetic is standard.
- Thorough cleanings — Japanese dental hygienists are meticulous. A cleaning appointment can take 40–60 minutes.
- Masks and precision — Dentists here tend to be very careful and detail-oriented.
Private Dental Insurance
If you need cosmetic work or implants not covered by national insurance, consider:
- Sony Life Dental Insurance — Available to residents, covers cosmetic and restorative work
- Aflac Japan — Cancer and medical insurance that includes some dental add-ons
- Expat insurance plans — Companies like AXA Expat or Cigna Global offer dental riders
Orthodontics in Japan
Braces and straightening treatments:
- Metal braces: ¥500,000–1,000,000 (not insured, unless medically necessary)
- Invisalign: ¥700,000–1,500,000
- Retainer: ¥50,000–100,000
Orthodontic treatment is generally cheaper than the US or UK but comparable to other developed countries. Shop around — prices vary widely.
Emergency Dental Care
If you have a dental emergency (severe pain, lost tooth, broken crown):
- Call your regular dentist first — many have emergency slots
- Look for clinics that show 「救急」(emergency) or 「夜間」(night) on their signage
- University dental hospitals (大学病院の歯科) often accept walk-ins for emergencies
- In Tokyo, the Tokyo Dental Association Emergency Dental Clinic operates nights and weekends: 03-3834-2814