Dentistry: say what exactly you’re looking for

Dentistry in South Africa: what treatments cost and how to choose

Updated 4 November 2026

A dentist check-up in South Africa usually costs between R 400 and R 900, and a single dental implant generally starts at around R 16,000. Prices depend on the city, the treatment and whether X-rays are included. The quickest way to compare current prices is a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Rules and registration to check

Dentists must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and published annual fees for 2026/2027 are R 3,349 for a dentist, R 2,515 for an oral hygienist and R 1,055 for a dental assistant. Ask the dentist to confirm current registration before treatment. Dental practices also advise discussing all fees before treatment starts, so ask for a written estimate.

Season and when to book

Dental care is not seasonal, but many people book leave for December and January. A request sent in November leaves time for a check-up and a treatment plan before the summer holidays. Winter runs from June to August, when clinics can be just as busy, so plan around your own schedule rather than the weather.

How dental care is priced and delivered here

Fees are quoted per visit or per treatment. Check-up fees often exclude X-rays and cleaning, which are charged separately, and sedation is billed by the hour, for example conscious sedation at R 5,800 an hour at one practice. Care is given in a practice, not at home, so choose a clinic that is easy to reach from your suburb in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha.

What to write in your request

Say what you need: a check-up and cleaning, a filling, an extraction, a crown, an implant, dentures, veneers, braces or aligners, or children's dentistry. Give the age of a child if it is for one, the date you would like, and whether you have medical aid. Add your budget, and mention if you need sedation. Ask for a written estimate before any work starts.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the treatment in your own words in a chat, and a photo can be added. BlaBlaPrice's AI asks for missing details, looks through clinics' websites and price lists in South Africa, and shows the prices and practices it found. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive your request and reply in the chat with their own price and appointment times. Your contact details stay hidden until you choose to share them. Start with dental services or children's dentistry.