Does dental exam for small kids more expensive??

[YYZ Pebbles]

Recently I took my 2 yr old to see a dentist for the first time. The bill came back a 15 mins dental exam costs $60.00. I recall my regular dentist usually charges around $25.00 for dental exam. Any idea why the dental exam for a 2 yr old costs so much?? Thanks!!

[jsywong]

I'm going to bring my 2.5 yr old to the pediatric dentist in 2 weeks and was told the exam (a visual exam to be done every year, no cleaning teeth until older) cost $95.xx. So, I think $60 is reasonable. Keep in mind there are many different types of exams. I remember there is the first exam done with my dentist that is like around $200 and my insurance covers in every 4 yrs while there are many small exams (recall exams, specific area exams etc) that is done a few times a year.

[nalababe]

For us, most is covered for our son; however, for one of the items, only 24 of 32 can be covered (the other 90 for the examination is fully covered) as there is a surcharge as he is a pediatric dentist and the difference between the child and adult rate.

[nogoro]

There are many types of exams. Comprehensive "new patient" exams tend to be more expensive. Alternatively, your dentist may have listed it as a specific exam in which they may choose to charge anywhere from 30 to 120 depending on what is done, but really up to their whims. A recall exam is a repeat exam done every 9-12 months and $25 is about right for that.