Dental treatment

Dental treatment in South Africa: what visits and fillings cost

Updated 31 October 2026

A dental consultation in South Africa costs roughly R 300 to R 900, a filling about R 800 to R 2,500 and a root canal R 2,500 to R 8,000, in rand. Each dentist sets their own fees, so for a quote for your treatment send a request on BlaBlaPrice: the AI checks sellers' websites and price lists here and shows the practices it finds.

Who sets the price and what is included

Dentists set their own fees rather than following one fixed tariff, so two practices in the same city can quote quite differently. X-rays and a professional clean are often charged separately from the consultation, so ask for the total for the whole visit. Patients are fully responsible for payment of fees. Some people use dental cover to help fund private dentistry, so ask whether a plan applies before treatment starts.

Registration and the rules

Dentists in South Africa are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), which sets registration fees for them. Ask the practice for the dentist's registration details before you book, and check that the dentist's name is on the invoice. A practice may charge for copies of records, so ask what they cost in advance.

Season and planning

October is late spring. Summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August, and the seasons do not appear in the price lists, so ask the practice about its booking times instead. If you are planning a trip, book a consultation a few weeks ahead so that any filling or extraction can be finished before you go.

What to write in the request

Describe the complaint or the diagnosis, which tooth or how many teeth are involved, and the treatment you want. Add whether you need pain relief, an X-ray or CT scan, your city or area, the dentist's experience and your budget. Say when you want to start, because waiting times differ between practices.

To get offers, describe your dental need in your own words, with your city and budget. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive the request and reply in the chat with their price, terms and availability. Your contact details stay hidden, and you decide with whom to exchange them. Compare the total for the whole visit, not only the consultation. You can also send the request link to local dentists yourself. See also Dental implants and Children's dentistry.