The fee in plain numbers
The fees below are current at the time of this page's last review (16 May 2026). They are reviewed at least annually and may change. The figure that applies on the day of your visit is the figure stated at reception; please phone to confirm before booking.
| Item | Fee (current at 16 May 2026) |
|---|---|
| First specialist consultation (45–60 min) | R 1,400 |
| Periapical x-ray (per tooth, if needed) | indicative R 220+ |
| Panoramic x-ray (if needed) | indicative R 720+ |
| Detailed treatment-plan estimate (after consultation) | included |
The consultation fee includes:
- A full clinical examination of the gums, bone support, soft tissues, lymph nodes, and bite.
- Six-point periodontal pocket charting (where indicated).
- Intra-oral photographs of any clinically significant findings.
- A written clinical report sent to you and your referring dentist within 48 hours.
- An itemised written treatment estimate (when treatment is indicated).
The fee does NOT include x-rays. Where a panoramic x-ray or periapical films are needed, they are charged separately per the practice's own fee schedule, under their own SADA procedure codes. If you bring recent x-rays from your dentist (digital is best), we will use those rather than repeat them.
Why specialist consultations cost more than general check-ups
Specialist consultation fees in dentistry reflect:
- Time spent — a periodontist consultation runs 45 to 60 minutes against a typical general-dentist check-up of 15 to 20 minutes.
- Training cost — a specialist has approximately four years of additional full-time postgraduate university training (the MChD in Periodontics and Oral Medicine) beyond a general dentist's qualification; that training is reflected in the fee schedule across all dental specialties.
- Detailed clinical record — a specialist consultation produces a written report, photographs, and a treatment plan that becomes part of your permanent dental record. A general check-up usually does not.
How are South African specialist fees set?
Specialist dentistry in South Africa is not a regulated-price market — there is no statutory tariff that all specialists must charge, and no professional body recommends one. Since the Competition Commission's findings on collective fee-setting and the 2010 invalidation of the National Health Reference Price List, professional bodies may not publish or recommend fees. The South African Dental Association (SADA) maintains the SADA Dental Codes — a procedure-code and ICD-10 reference used for medical-aid claims — but, by law, it does not comment on the price of any procedure (SADJ — Understanding dental coding). Each practice sets its own fees, and each medical scheme sets its own tariffs.
We publish our R 1,400 first-consultation fee openly so you know the cost before you book — most practices do not.
Paying
We accept:
- Cash
- Debit card
- Credit card
- EFT (settled before the appointment, or at reception immediately after)
Payment is taken at reception when the consultation ends. A statement is issued with the procedure code and ICD-10 codes your medical aid recognises, so you can submit for reimbursement (see Do periodontists take medical aid in South Africa?).
Payment plans
For the consultation itself, no payment plan is offered — the visit is a single fixed-price interaction.
For treatment that follows (implants, periodontal therapy, gum graft surgery), payment plans are available on request. We will agree the plan in writing before treatment starts. Typical structures:
- Single up-front payment with a small discount.
- 50% on commencement, 50% on completion.
- Three or four equal monthly instalments aligned with the stages of treatment.
If a major procedure is partly covered by medical aid, the plan can be structured around when the aid reimburses you, so cash flow is manageable.
What about a "phone consultation" or a free opinion?
We do not offer free or telephone consultations. The reasons are clinical, not commercial:
- A diagnosis of gum disease, oral mucosal conditions, or implant suitability cannot be made without seeing the patient, probing the gums, and reviewing x-rays.
- A telephone opinion that turned out to be wrong could harm the patient.
- The HPCSA's ethical rules require that specialist opinions be issued on the basis of a proper examination, not an indirect description of symptoms.
If you have a question you genuinely cannot bring to a consultation — for instance, "is my dentist's quote reasonable?" or "is this procedure the right one for me?" — phone reception. We may be able to answer it without you needing to book, depending on what it is.
What if I cannot afford the consultation?
The cost of a single specialist consultation is real, and we understand it is not within everyone's reach. Two practical suggestions:
- Public-sector specialist dental clinics at academic dental hospitals (including the Pretoria Oral and Dental Hospital) run periodontics and oral medicine clinics at significantly reduced cost. Waiting lists are typically longer than private practice, and you may be seen by a specialist or by a registrar under specialist supervision.
- Ask your dentist whether the issue you have actually needs specialist input right now. Some periodontal problems can be managed by a general dentist initially, with a specialist consultation reserved for the point at which a specific intervention becomes necessary.
If you are uncertain whether the cost of a consultation makes sense for your particular situation, phone the practice — we can talk you through what the visit would and would not change for your case.
This page is general educational content. Pricing is indicative and reflects the practice's current fee schedule, which is reviewed annually. The fee that applies on the day of your visit is the fee stated at reception when you book.