DENTAL CLEANING
Almost everyone needs a professional dental cleaning, and a lot of people put it off. At Dr. Dental, a new patient cleaning with an exam and x-rays is $57 at all 30 offices. It takes about an hour, and you leave knowing exactly where your teeth stand. Below we cover what happens in the chair, the cost with or without insurance, and how often you really need to come in.
What happens at a dental cleaning
The visit has four parts. A hygienist checks your gums and takes bitewing x-rays (the ones that show cavities between teeth). Then the cleaning itself: scaling to lift plaque and hardened tartar off the teeth and from just under the gumline, polishing to smooth the enamel so new plaque has a harder time sticking, and flossing. A dentist then examines your teeth, your gums and the x-rays and goes over anything they find. If there’s work to do, you get a written treatment plan with prices before you leave, and nothing on it is a commitment.
If it’s been a few years, or you notice bleeding when you brush, the hygienist may find tartar below the gumline that a regular cleaning can’t reach. That calls for a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), usually done over two visits with the mouth numbed one side at a time. It’s a different procedure with a different fee, and we’ll explain why before scheduling it, not after.
Does it hurt?
For most people, no. You’ll feel scraping and some pressure, and the polisher has a gritty taste. Gums that haven’t been cleaned in a while may bleed a little and feel tender for a day. That goes away quickly once the tartar is gone. If your teeth are sensitive to cold, say so at the start and the hygienist can adjust the water temperature and use a numbing gel on the gums. Nobody gets a lecture about flossing. We’d rather you come back.
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
Every six months is the standard answer, and for most adults and children it’s the right one. Tartar builds up regardless of how well you brush, because once plaque hardens, a toothbrush can’t remove it. Some patients need to come more often: anyone with gum disease, smokers, people with braces, and people who build tartar quickly (it’s partly genetic). Your dentist will tell you if that’s you, and why.
For children, we recommend a first visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth, and cleanings every six months after that. Fluoride and sealants on the back molars are part of a child’s routine visits and are covered by MassHealth, HUSKY and most plans.
How much a dental cleaning costs
With insurance: Nearly every dental plan covers two cleanings and exams a year at 100%, with no deductible. We’re in network with Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Altus, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, MetLife, Guardian and most other major plans. All 15 of our Massachusetts offices take MassHealth, which covers cleanings for children and adults. At all 10 Connecticut offices, HUSKY covers two cleanings a year for children and one per calendar year for adults. Plan details are on our insurance pages for Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey.
Without insurance: The new patient cleaning is $57 and includes the exam, bitewing x-rays, the cleaning and a treatment plan. The regular fee for the same visit is $222. You don’t sign up for anything, there’s no membership, and it doesn’t expire. It’s just what we charge for a first visit, every day. Details on the specials page.
Before and after your visit
Go ahead and eat beforehand. There’s no need to skip a meal. Bring your insurance card and a photo ID, and a list of medications if you take any (some affect bleeding and gum health). Afterward, you can eat and drink right away. If you had fluoride applied, wait 30 minutes. If the hygienist pointed out a spot you’ve been missing, that’s the spot to focus on for the next six months.
Finding a time that works
We have 30 offices across Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey, and every one of them does cleanings for children and adults. Of those, 27 are open on Saturdays. Most also stay open until 6pm or later at least one weeknight, so you don’t have to take time off work. Booking online takes a couple of minutes, or you can call whichever office is closest. This page is also available en español.
Common questions about teeth cleaning
How long does a dental cleaning take?
Plan on about an hour for a new patient visit, including x-rays and the dentist’s exam. Routine cleanings for returning patients usually take 30 to 45 minutes.
How much is a teeth cleaning without insurance?
$57 for new patients at Dr. Dental, including the exam and bitewing x-rays. The regular fee is $222.
Does MassHealth cover teeth cleaning?
Yes, for children and adults. All 15 Dr. Dental offices in Massachusetts accept MassHealth. Starting August 1, 2026, adult dental services count toward a $1,750 yearly limit. A routine cleaning uses only a small part of it.
Does HUSKY cover teeth cleaning?
Yes. Children under 21 get a cleaning every six months. Adults get one cleaning per calendar year. All 10 Dr. Dental offices in Connecticut are in the HUSKY (CTDHP) network.
What’s the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the visible tooth and just under the gumline. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) cleans the roots below the gums where tartar has caused the gums to pull away. Deep cleanings are for gum disease, take longer, and are usually done with numbing over two visits.
Can I get a cleaning if I haven’t been to a dentist in years?
Yes, and it’s the most common new patient visit we see. You won’t be judged. If more than a standard cleaning is needed, we’ll explain the options and the prices before doing anything.
To book, request an appointment online or call any of our offices and ask for the $57 new patient cleaning.
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