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The French healthcare system is widely praised for its quality, efficiency, and accessibility. But when it comes to dental and eye care, things can get a little more complicated. While basic medical care is well-covered under the public system, dental and optical services are only partially reimbursed, leaving many people surprised by the out-of-pocket costs.
So, does French health insurance cover dental and eye care? Yes, to a degree. But for full coverage, you’ll almost certainly need a mutuelle (top-up health insurance). This guide explains what’s included, what’s not, and how to avoid unexpected expenses.
What’s Covered: Dental Care in France
Dental care is partially covered by the French public healthcare system, but the level of reimbursement depends on the type of treatment and the practitioner you consult.
Consultations with Dentists and Oral Healthcare Specialists
Consultations with dentists and stomatologists (doctors specialised in oral medicine) are reimbursed by Assurance Maladie at 60% or 70% of the standard base fee, depending on the practitioner.
Here are some standard consultation rates and reimbursement levels:
General dentist:
👉 Standard fee: 23 €
👉 Reimbursement rate: 60%
👉 Amount reimbursed: 13.80 €
Dentist specialised in orthodontics (ODF):
👉 Standard fee: 23 €
👉 Reimbursement rate: 60%
👉 Amount reimbursed: 13.80 €
Stomatologist (Sector 1 – regulated fees):
👉 Standard fee: 31.50 €
👉 Reimbursement rate: 70%
👉 Amount reimbursed: 20.05 €
Stomatologist (Sector 2 – unregulated fees):
👉 Base reimbursement: 23 €
👉 Reimbursement rate: 70%
👉 Amount reimbursed: 14.10 €
Note: Actual fees are set by the practitioner and may be higher, with the difference not covered by the public system
Excess Fees (Dépassements d’honoraires)
In some cases, dental or stomatology consultations may include excess fees, which are not reimbursed by Assurance Maladie. These situations include:
➡️ If you request an appointment outside normal office hours or ask for a specific service (called exigence particulière)
➡️ If the dentist has the right to permanently charge higher fees (droit permanent à dépassement)
➡️ If the practitioner is in Sector 2 (unregulated fees)
In all cases, the dentist or stomatologist is required to inform you of their fees before the appointment. Reimbursement is still calculated on the official base rate, and any excess is only covered if your mutuelle allows for it.
Dental Treatments and Procedures
Dental treatments fall into two categories:
➡️ Conservative care: such as scaling (détartrage), fillings (traitement de carie), and root canals (dévitalisation)
➡️Surgical care: such as extractions and minor oral surgeries
These procedures are reimbursed by Assurance Maladie at 60% of the standard tarif conventionné, but only if they appear on the official list of reimbursable treatments.
However, as with consultations, many dentists charge more than the set base tariff, especially for advanced or specialised treatments. These additional fees are not reimbursed by the state.
Crowns, Bridges, Implants, and Orthodontics
When it comes to more complex or cosmetic dental work, public coverage is very limited.
❌ Crowns and bridges: Partially reimbursed, but at a very low base rate (often under 200 €), regardless of actual cost
❌ Implants: Not covered at all by the public system
❌ Braces (orthodontics): Only reimbursed if started before age 16, and even then only with prior approval
❌ Teeth whitening and cosmetic treatments: Never reimbursed
This means adults often pay hundreds, or even thousands, of euros for dental procedures unless they have a mutuelle that includes dental coverage.
What’s Covered: Optical Care in France
Eye Exams and Specialist Consultations
Eye exams performed by ophthalmologists (eye doctors) are partially covered by the French public healthcare system, but the reimbursement depends on the type of practitioner and their sector.
Here’s how it works:
➡️ Sector 1 (conventionné): Consultation costs 30 €, with 70% reimbursed by Assurance Maladie. You’ll receive 20 € back.
➡️ Sector 2 (OPTAM – regulated fees): Fees vary, but reimbursement remains 70% of the 30 € base rate (20 €).
➡️ Sector 2 (non-OPTAM): Fees are also variable, but reimbursement is lower, 70% of a reduced base rate of 23 €, so just 15.10 € is reimbursed.
➡️ Sector 3 (non-conventionné): Practitioners set their own fees and may not be reimbursed at all.
Important: Excess fees charged by Sector 2 or 3 ophthalmologists are not covered by the public system. A mutuelle may cover some or all of these additional charges, depending on your plan.
Glasses and Contact Lenses: What the Public System Covers
Historically, glasses and contact lenses were poorly reimbursed by the French public system. But since 1 January 2020, a major reform called “100% Santé” has changed how optical care is supported—especially for those with a complementary health policy.
Under this reform, you now have two options when buying glasses:
➡️ “100% Santé” Basket (Panier 100% Santé)
This option allows you to choose from a regulated selection of quality frames and lenses that are fully reimbursed, with no out-of-pocket costs, if you have a mutuelle that meets the standard “contrat responsable”.
What’s included:
✅ Frames priced at or below 30 €
✅ Lenses (Class A) with anti-reflective coating, scratch resistance, anti-UV treatment, and a minimum refractive index
✅ Three types of lenses to suit a range of prescriptions
✅ No panaché of lenses from different classes (you can’t mix Class A and Class B lenses)
These glasses are fully reimbursed by both the public system and your mutuelle, meaning zero reste à charge (nothing left to pay).
➡️ Free-Priced Basket (Secteur à prix libres)
If you choose designer frames or lenses not part of the regulated basket (called Class B), reimbursement is significantly lower, and you’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket.
👉 Frames above 30 € are only reimbursed up to a minimal amount
👉 Lenses outside Class A are reimbursed only at limited rates, and not always fully supported by your mutuelle
Contact Lenses: Limited Reimbursement
Contact lenses are only reimbursed by the public system if they are medically prescribed for specific conditions, such as severe astigmatism, keratoconus, anisometropia (large difference in prescription between both eyes) and aphakia or strabismus
Even in those cases, reimbursement is low, around 39 € per lens per year, which is far below market price. For most wearers, contact lenses are not reimbursed at all, unless covered by your mutuelle.
The Role of the Mutuelle: Why It’s Essential
Because of these reimbursement limits, many residents—especially expats and families—choose to take out a mutuelle that includes dental and optical benefits.
A mutuelle can significantly reduce what you pay out of pocket for:
➡️ Crowns and bridges
➡️ Orthodontics
➡️ Implants (in some cases)
➡️ Glasses and lenses
➡️ Contact lenses and frames
➡️ Regular cleanings and preventive visits
Mutuelles come in various levels of cover. Entry-level policies may reimburse only basic dental visits, while comprehensive plans cover advanced procedures and optical care up to 100%–300% of standard tariffs. 👉 More on the benefits of having a mutuelle here.
Example Costs Without a Mutuelle
To illustrate the difference, here are some approximate costs you could face without top-up insurance:
➡️ Dental crown: 600 € – 1,000 € (reimbursed only 75 € – 100 € by the state)
➡️ Tooth implant: 1,200 € – 2,500 € (not reimbursed at all)
➡️ Orthodontics for a teenager: 800 € – 1,200 € per year (partial cover only if approved)
➡️ Glasses with progressive lenses: 300 € – 600 € (state might reimburse 30 € – 60 €)
➡️ Contact lenses: 150 € – 400 €/year (often not reimbursed)
With a comprehensive mutuelle, you could recover most of these costs, depending on your plan.
How to Choose the Right Mutuelle for Dental and Optical Care
If you expect regular dental or vision expenses, or simply want to avoid big bills, look for a mutuelle with specific coverage for:
✅ Prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, dentures)
✅ Orthodontics (especially for children)
✅ Implants (some premium plans include partial reimbursement)
✅ Optical packages covering frames and lenses up to set limits
✅ Preventive dental care (cleanings, scaling)
Some policies allow you to customise your cover by choosing higher limits for dental and optical needs.
Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead for Teeth and Eyes
So, does French health insurance cover dental and eye care? Yes—but only partially. The public system provides basic support, especially for routine dental exams and eye checks, but you’ll need a mutuelle to avoid high out-of-pocket costs for crowns, glasses, implants, or orthodontics.
Whether you’re a new arrival in France or already navigating the healthcare system, it’s worth reviewing your current cover and upgrading if needed.
At FAB French Insurance, we work with over 30 insurers to help expats find tailored mutuelle plans that include dental and optical benefits, so you and your family are fully protected. 👉 Want peace of mind? Get a quote for dental and vision top-up insurance today
