Hong Kong Scaling Prices and Periodontal Treatment Costs 2026: Public, Subsidised, Private and Shenzhen Benchmark

Scaling price basics: want quick answers on routine scaling prices, air polishing and vouchers? → Hong Kong scaling price guide 2026

Hong Kong scaling prices in 2026: free or $50 for eligible people under the Community Dental Support Programme³, about $500–700 for routine scaling at a private clinic⁸ and $1,000–2,800 at a private hospital^6,7; deep scaling and root planing is listed at $8,000–20,000 per quadrant on hospital schedules^6,7; Shenzhen scaling is about ¥50–180^9,10. Verified 2026-09-25.

"Scaling" covers three treatments with very different price tags: routine scaling (removing tartar above the gumline), deep scaling or root planing (cleaning the root surfaces inside periodontal pockets, usually under local anaesthetic), and specialist periodontal treatment and surgery carried out by a registered periodontist. This is the site's benchmark page for scaling prices and periodontal treatment costs: every figure comes from a public body, a university, a private hospital's published fee schedule or a press report, with the date it was checked. For how scaling is done, the types available and the common myths, see the sister page Scaling in Hong Kong: process, types and myths.

2026 Hong Kong Scaling and Periodontal Treatment Fee Benchmark

The table runs from routine scaling up to specialist periodontal care, with four columns: public, non-profit or subsidised, private (clinic range plus hospital fee schedules) and Shenzhen public data. Hospital schedules price deep scaling per quadrant, and a full mouth is normally four quadrants. Private clinics mostly quote per quadrant or per full mouth with no published standard price, so that cell states the pricing basis rather than an unverified number.

Treatment	Public (DH / HA / university dental)	Non-profit / subsidised	Private clinics (typical range) and private hospitals	Shenzhen (public data)
Routine scaling and polishing	Government dental clinics (GP sessions) do not offer scaling, only pain relief or extraction1; HKU Faculty of Dentistry teaching patients, "dental hygiene treatment" $100 per course4; School Dental Care Service $45 a year5	Community Dental Support Programme: Class A free, Class B $50, once every 365 days3	Clinics $500–7008; hospital dental centres $1,000–2,8006,7	¥50–1809,10
Deep scaling / root planing (per quadrant)	Generally not provided publicly1; teaching patients, dental hygiene treatment $100 per course4	Periodontal treatment is not listed as a CDSP item3	Clinics: quoted per quadrant or full mouth, no published standard price; hospitals: $8,000–10,000 per quadrant6, $8,000–20,000 per quadrant7	Periodontal treatment (stages 1–4) ¥1,880–8,8809
Deep scaling / root planing (full mouth)	—	—	Clinics: quoted per full mouth, usually completed over several visits12; hospitals: roughly $32,000–80,000 (derived: per-quadrant × 4, not a line item on the schedule)6,7	See row above9
Specialist periodontal care (consultation, periodontal surgery)	Generally not provided publicly1	—	Clinics: case by case, quoted by a registered periodontist19; hospitals: specialist consultation $1,500–2,5006,7, periodontal surgery $10,000–25,0007	No published specialist fee schedule
Periodontal maintenance (recall scaling)	Teaching patients $100 per course4	CDSP scaling once every 365 days: Class A free, Class B $503	Clinics: usually charged at the routine scaling rate8; hospitals: $2,500–3,5006, $4,000–6,0007	¥50–180 (routine scaling rate)9,10

What the Price Includes, and What It Doesn't

Routine scaling

• Usually included: tartar removal and polishing, either with pumice or an air-powder jet for stains¹¹. Hospital schedules split scaling into "local" and "per hour" pricing, for example $700⁶, local scaling $1,000–2,000 and $2,500–2,800 per hour session⁷.
• Often extra: examination or consultation fee, X-rays, fluoride treatment (listed separately at $300 on one hospital schedule⁷). The CDSP's $50 is an administrative fee, not a treatment charge³.

Deep scaling / root planing

• Usually included: local anaesthetic and cleaning of the root surfaces inside the periodontal pockets with hand instruments or an ultrasonic scaler¹². Hospitals charge per quadrant^6,7; ask whether all four quadrants are billed together or per visit.
• Often extra: the periodontal examination and X-rays before treatment, each maintenance visit afterwards (hospitals $2,500–6,000^6,7), and any local antibiotic placed in the pockets.
• Sedation: if you ask for scaling under monitored anaesthesia care, the anaesthetist's fee is normally billed separately. We found no published standard price for this; ask for a written quote.

Specialist periodontal treatment

• Usually separate: the specialist consultation ($1,500–2,500^6,7) is a consultation fee and periodontal surgery ($10,000–25,000⁷) is the surgical fee; the two together are the starting point for one course. Bone or soft-tissue graft materials, theatre fees and follow-up visits need to be itemised.

Why Prices Vary So Much

1. General dentist or specialist: the Dental Council's Specialist Register has eight specialties and Periodontology is one of them¹⁹. A specialist consultation alone carries a $1,500–2,500 fee^6,7.
2. Pocket depth and number of quadrants: root planing is priced per quadrant, so the more quadrants involved and the longer the course, the higher the cost^6,7,12.
3. Clinic or hospital: the same routine scaling is typically $500–700 at a private clinic⁸ and $1,000–2,800 at a private hospital dental centre^6,7.
4. Pricing basis: hospital schedules use both "local" and "per hour" pricing⁷, so a longer session costs more; most private clinics charge per visit.
5. Number of visits: a periodontitis course involves several follow-up visits and regular check-ups¹², and each maintenance visit is a separate charge^6,7.

How to Use Public and Subsidised Services

• Department of Health GP dental sessions: pain relief or extraction only; scaling is not provided¹. Free for eligible persons, $850 for non-eligible persons².
• Community Dental Support Programme (CDSP): Class A (users of Integrated Home Care Services (Frail Cases) or Enhanced Home and Community Care Services on the first fee tier, people granted full medical fee waivers by the Hospital Authority, and street sleepers) have the administrative fee fully subsidised; Class B pays $50. Scaling once every 365 days³.
• HKU Faculty of Dentistry teaching patients: dental hygiene treatment (all diagnosis and treatment within one course) $100, effective 1 March 2026⁴.
• School Dental Care Service: $45 a year for eligible pupils⁵.
• Elderly Health Care Vouchers: age 65 and above, $2,000 a year with an accumulation cap of $8,000; registered dentists are eligible providers²¹, and outpatient dental services at designated Shenzhen institutions also accept the vouchers²².

Application steps and current quotas for each scheme are on the dental subsidies overview.

Five Questions to Ask Before You Accept a Quote

1. Is this quote for routine scaling, root planing or periodontal surgery, and is it per visit, per quadrant or per full mouth?
2. Are local anaesthetic, X-rays and the examination fee included?
3. How many visits will the full mouth take, and what does each maintenance visit cost?
4. Is the treating dentist a general dentist or a registered periodontist? You can check the Dental Council registers¹⁹.
5. If the pockets do not improve after non-surgical treatment, what is the next step and what will it cost?

The Consumer Council advises confirming with the dentist before treatment which items the fee covers and whether there are additional charges, and keeping all receipts²⁰. For a line-by-line walkthrough, see how to read a dental quote.

Shenzhen vs Hong Kong: What to Weigh Beyond Price

Routine scaling in Shenzhen is about ¥50–180^9,10 and periodontal treatment is priced by stage at ¥1,880–8,880⁹, a clear gap from Hong Kong. The Consumer Council, however, advises anyone planning treatment on the mainland to understand the mainland regulatory framework first: dental clinics there are supervised by health administration departments rather than an independent statutory dental registration body²⁰. Periodontal disease is a long-term condition and root planing is followed by several review visits¹², so travel time and cost belong in the calculation. Elderly Health Care Vouchers can be used for outpatient dental services at designated Shenzhen institutions²². For the questions to ask before cross-border treatment, see the Hong Kong–Shenzhen dental quality checklist.

Routine Scaling vs Deep Cleaning: What Is the Difference

Plaque is calcified by saliva into tartar (calculus)¹⁴, which a toothbrush and floss cannot remove. Tartar build-up inflames the gums: at first the gum margin is red and swollen and bleeds when you brush¹³; if it progresses, the supporting tissues, including the gum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, are destroyed, the gum separates from the root to form a "periodontal pocket", and bone loss leaves teeth loose, drifting and eventually lost¹⁴. The Department of Health's 2021 Oral Health Survey found that 57% of adults and 70% of non-institutionalised older people had periodontal pockets¹⁵.

• Routine scaling: plaque, tartar and stains are removed from the tooth surfaces with hand instruments or an ultrasonic scaler, then polished or air-jetted¹¹. Suitable for healthy gums or early gingivitis; gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good home care¹⁶.
• Deep scaling / root planing: for severe periodontal disease. The dentist first injects local anaesthetic, then thoroughly cleans the root surfaces inside the pockets with hand instruments or an ultrasonic scaler¹², smoothing the root so plaque and toxins are less able to re-attach¹⁶.
• Periodontal surgery: when non-surgical treatment does not achieve good periodontal health, the gum may be lifted surgically so the root surfaces can be cleaned with instruments^13,16.

The root planing process

1. Periodontal examination: the dentist measures pocket depth and bleeding points tooth by tooth with a periodontal probe and decides which quadrants need treatment.
2. Local anaesthetic: injected at the treatment site¹².
3. Scaling and planing: an ultrasonic scaler breaks up the larger deposits, then hand curettes clean the root surface¹². A full mouth is usually completed over several visits, part of the mouth at a time¹².
4. Review and maintenance: the course includes several follow-up visits and regular check-ups¹²; most patients need ongoing maintenance therapy¹⁶.

Normal reactions after treatment

For a few days after root planing you may have mild discomfort and some gum bleeding; this is normal¹². With the tartar gone, the root is temporarily exposed and more sensitive to hot and cold; this settles as the gum recovers, and a desensitising toothpaste helps. Gaps between teeth can look bigger once the swelling goes down because the space left by earlier bone loss is now visible, not because scaling damaged anything; without treatment the bone keeps receding¹⁴. More myths are covered on the scaling myths page.

Why treat early

Periodontal disease is linked to general health: people with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease, and periodontal disease may make blood sugar harder to control; several studies suggest it may raise the risk of heart disease¹⁷. Once teeth are lost to periodontal disease, the replacements (implants, bridges, dentures) cost far more than scaling; see the dental fees overview. On insurance, routine scaling and periodontal treatment may sit in different policy categories, so get a written quote before treatment and check with your insurer.

When to See a Dentist Straight Away

• Very sore, swollen gums or a gum abscess¹⁸
• Teeth that are loose, have moved, or have fallen out^13,18
• Receding gums with exposed roots making the teeth look longer¹³
• Gums that keep bleeding when you brush, or persistent bad breath^13,18
• A mouth ulcer or lump in the mouth that has not healed after two weeks¹⁸

For toothache and other emergencies, see the dental emergency guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does scaling cost in Hong Kong?

Routine scaling is typically $500–700 at a private clinic⁸ and $1,000–2,800 at a private hospital^6,7; eligible people pay nothing or $50 under the CDSP³.

How much does periodontal treatment cost?

Hospital schedules list root planing at $8,000–20,000 per quadrant^6,7, specialist consultation at $1,500–2,500 and periodontal surgery at $10,000–25,000⁷; private clinics quote individually.

How is deep cleaning charged?

Mostly per quadrant; a full mouth is four quadrants, usually done over several visits¹². Maintenance visits are extra, $2,500–6,000 at hospitals^6,7.

Is government scaling free?

Government GP dental sessions do not offer scaling¹. The CDSP is free for Class A and $50 for Class B³; HKU teaching patients pay $100 per dental hygiene course⁴.

How often should I have scaling in Hong Kong?

The CDSP allows scaling once every 365 days³; for periodontal patients the recall interval is set by the dentist based on pocket status^12,16.

How much does a tooth extraction cost?

Extraction is outside this page; public, private and Shenzhen extraction prices are on the dental fees overview.

Related Guides

• Scaling: process, types and myths — how ultrasonic scaling works, polishing vs air-jet, whether scaling harms enamel.
• Tartar and gum recession — how tartar forms and when it drives recession.
• Bleeding gums: a periodontal warning sign — causes of gum bleeding and when to get checked.
• Gum recession causes and treatment — whether receded gums can recover and the treatment options.
• Tooth extraction and wisdom tooth removal costs — fee benchmark for simple extractions and surgical wisdom tooth removal.
• Hong Kong dental fees overview — benchmark prices for fillings, root canals, extractions, implants and crowns.
• Dental subsidies overview — how to apply for the CDSP, vouchers and university dental care.
• How to read a dental quote — what each line of a quotation means.
• How to verify a dentist — searching the Dental Council's general and specialist registers.

Sources

1. Department of Health — Dental Services: General Public Sessions dh.gov.hk (page updated 2026-07-30; verified 2026-09-25)
2. Department of Health — Fees for Public Health Services: Dental Services dh.gov.hk (effective 2026-02-06; verified 2026-09-25)
3. Community Dental Support Programme — Introduction and fees communitydental.gov.hk (verified 2026-09-25)
4. HKU Faculty of Dentistry, Prince Philip Dental Hospital — Schedule of Fees for Teaching Patients ppdh.org.hk (effective 2026-03-01; verified 2026-09-25)
5. Department of Health — School Dental Care Service fees dh.gov.hk (2026-09-01; verified 2026-09-25)
6. Union Hospital — Dental Service Charges union.org (effective 2026-05-01; verified 2026-09-25)
7. Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Dental Centre — Charges hksh.com (effective 2026-08-01; verified 2026-09-25)
8. Private clinic market reference: Hong Kong Economic Journal: scaling frequency and prices (Chinese) (6 Mar 2025; private clinics: scaling $500–800, deep cleaning $1,000–1,500) and Bowtie (insurer): scaling fees 2026 (Chinese) (14 May 2026; HK private clinics generally $450–1,500), and FWD (insurer): who needs deep cleaning (Chinese) (updated 23 Jan 2026; periodontal deep cleaning "HK$8,000 to over HK$10,000"); this site also checked two private clinics' published price lists in Sep 2026 (not named or linked, to stay neutral); see also the dental fees overview. checked 5 Oct 2026.
9. Economic Digest — 大陸睇牙醫費用 edigest.hk (2026-09-21; verified 2026-09-25)
10. HK01 — 深圳洗牙｜5大牙科邊間好？ hk01.com (2025-09-12; verified 2026-09-25)
11. Department of Health Oral Health Education Unit — Treatment Room: Scaling toothclub.gov.hk (verified 2026-09-25)
12. Department of Health Oral Health Education Unit — Treatment Room: Root Planing toothclub.gov.hk (verified 2026-09-25)
13. Department of Health Oral Health Education Unit — Periodontal Disease: Signs and Management toothclub.gov.hk (verified 2026-09-25)
14. Department of Health Oral Health Education Unit — Periodontal Disease: Causes and Progression toothclub.gov.hk (verified 2026-09-25)
15. HKSAR Government press release — DH releases latest Oral Health Survey report info.gov.hk (2024-12-06; verified 2026-09-25)
16. American Academy of Periodontology — Gum Disease Information; Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment perio.org, perio.org (verified 2026-09-25)
17. American Academy of Periodontology — Gum Disease and Other Diseases perio.org (verified 2026-09-25)
18. NHS — Gum disease nhs.uk (verified 2026-09-25)
19. Dental Council of Hong Kong — Specialist Register dchk.org.hk (verified 2026-09-25)
20. Consumer Council — Complaint digest #572: dental services consumer.org.hk (2024-06; verified 2026-09-25)
21. Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme — Background; Types of healthcare service providers hcv.gov.hk, hcv.gov.hk (verified 2026-09-25)
22. Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme — FAQs hcv.gov.hk (verified 2026-09-25)

※ Actual fees depend on case difficulty.