But one health care expense often gets overlooked until it's time to make an appointment: the dentist. According to BoomCloud, many patients don't plan ahead for dental care, which can lead to more expensive problems later. A Cleaning May Cost More Than You ThinkIf you have dental insurance, a routine cleaning may cost anywhere from nothing to about $100, depending on your plan. Without insurance, a cleaning can cost between $75 and $200 or more. Regular preventive care is usually much less expensive than treating a problem after it becomes painful.