What a scale and polish costs in the UAE

A scale and polish is the one dental treatment where the basic insurance plan in Dubai actually helps. Here is the published price and how far the limit goes.

Last checked Costs, 4 min read

Information only, not medical advice. Prices vary between clinics and between patients. Confirm any treatment, and its price, with a licensed dentist before you decide.

A scale and polish is published at AED 200 to 800 in Dubai, typically AED 400, and at AED 180 to 700 in Abu Dhabi, typically AED 350. Dubai's minimum insurance plan lists scaling among the dental services it pays for, up to up to AED 500 with 30% coinsurance per visit.

Cleaning prices against the AED 500 dental limit
Cleaning prices against the AED 500 dental limit Range bars on one axis in dirhams. A cleaning in Dubai runs from AED 200 to AED 800, typical AED 400. A cleaning in Abu Dhabi runs from AED 180 to AED 700, typical AED 350. A vertical line marks the AED 500 annual dental limit in Dubai's Essential Benefits Plan, which falls inside both ranges. 0 200 400 600 800 Scale and polish, Dubai AED 200 to 800 , typical 400 Scale and polish, Abu Dhabi AED 180 to 700 , typical 350
  • Published range
  • Typical
  • Dubai dental benefit limit, AED 500

Source: Prices: Zavis, UAE Medical Pricing. Limit: Dubai Health Authority, GC 03/2024 Table of Benefits. Checked 12 September 2026.

Show the numbers
Item Amount Typical
Scale and polish, Dubai AED 200 to 800 400
Scale and polish, Abu Dhabi AED 180 to 700 350
Dubai dental benefit limit, AED 500 AED 500 -

The line on that chart is the useful part. At the typical published price, one cleaning sits comfortably under the plan's dental limit. At the top of the range it does not, and the limit is what the plan pays across the year, not per visit.

Where a scale and polish appointment works A single tooth drawn side-on. A horizontal line across the middle marks the gum line. The upper part of the tooth, above the gum line, is labelled as the surface that is polished. The narrow band along the gum line is labelled as the area where deposits are removed. A slim instrument tip is drawn beside that band. Along the gum line where deposits are removed Tooth surface polished after scaling
Simplified drawing of one tooth, not to scale.

What the plan actually says

The official Table of Benefits lists the dental services inside the benefit as consultation, extraction, fillings, root canal treatment, scaling, x-rays, antibiotics and prophylaxis. The benefit is capped at up to AED 500, and outpatient visits carry 30% per visit payable by the insured. There is within seven days for a follow-up visit.

So a cleaning quoted at AED 400 in Dubai, on the minimum plan, means you pay the coinsurance and the plan covers the rest, within the annual limit. Your own policy may be more generous. It cannot be less.

Why is the range so wide for a routine appointment?

The published source ties the spread to the type of facility and the clinical work involved. A straightforward polish and a long appointment on heavy tartar are not the same job, even though both are booked as a cleaning.

If the clinic tells you the appointment will run longer than a standard cleaning, ask what that changes about the price before the chair goes back.

What to ask when you book

  • Is the quoted price for the cleaning alone, or does it include an examination and x-rays?
  • Does the clinic bill my insurer directly, or do I pay and claim?
  • How much of my annual dental limit is left this year?

The full picture of the plan is in what Dubai's basic health insurance covers.