Paying for dental treatment with Tabby or Tamara
Tabby and Tamara let you split a dental bill into smaller payments instead of paying it all at once. Both work the same way at a dental clinic as they do in shops in the UAE. This guide explains how it works at the clinic, what decides your limit, the fees to look out for, and examples in AED from Healthpoint prices.
The short answer
With Tabby's Pay in 4 or Tamara's Split in 4, you pay a quarter of the bill at the clinic and the rest in three monthly payments. Tabby or Tamara decides whether to approve you and how much you can spend, and shows your exact plan before you confirm. Tabby's Pay in 4 is interest-free with no fees. Tamara's Split in 4 has no late fees but may add a small processing fee. Longer plans in their apps can carry fees.
How it works at the clinic
- Get your priceThe dentist gives you the price for your treatment at your free consultation.
- Choose Tabby or Tamara at receptionTell reception which one you want to use when you pay.
- Approve in the appYou confirm the payment in the Tabby or Tamara app or by the link sent to your phone, and see your payment dates.
- Pay the first partThe first payment is taken straight away; the rest follow monthly from your card.
The clinic is paid in full by Tabby or Tamara. Your agreement for the remaining payments is with them, not with the clinic.
Examples with Healthpoint prices
| Treatment | Starting price | 4 payments of |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal with a zirconia crown | AED 898 | AED 224.50 |
| Ceramic braces (fitting) | AED 624 | AED 156 |
| Full denture | AED 1,499 | AED 374.75 |
| Hollywood smile (20 units) | AED 2,499 | AED 624.75 |
| Dental implant with crown | AED 3,500 | AED 875 |
Add your own treatments in the payment calculator at the top of our price list to see your 4 payments.
Approval and spending limits
Tabby and Tamara each set a spending limit for you, based on their own checks and how you have used them before. New users often start with a lower limit that grows over time. You see your limit in the app before you confirm, and nothing is charged until you do.
If a large treatment costs more than your limit, tell reception. Many treatments are done in stages, such as an extraction first and the crown or denture later, so each stage can be paid separately.
Fees and what to check before you confirm
- Tabby Pay in 4: interest-free, with no fees, according to Tabby.
- Tamara Split in 4: no late fees, according to Tamara, but a small processing fee may be added.
- Longer plans: plans over more months in either app can carry fees. The app shows the total before you agree.
- Late payments: each provider sets its own rules, shown in its terms. Contact them straight away if you think you will miss a payment.
Using Tabby or Tamara with insurance
You can split what you pay at the clinic with Tabby or Tamara and still claim from your insurer with our invoice and medical report. The two are separate: your insurer pays its share back to you, and your Tabby or Tamara payments carry on as agreed, whatever the insurer decides. Read how to claim dental costs from insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Who approves a Tabby or Tamara plan, the clinic or the provider?
The provider. Tabby or Tamara decides whether to approve you and sets your spending limit. The clinic only tells you the price of your treatment.
Do I need a credit card to use Tabby or Tamara?
You need a debit or credit card added in the Tabby or Tamara app, which they use to take the monthly payments. Check the app for the cards each one accepts.
What happens if my treatment changes after I have paid with Tabby or Tamara?
If part of a treatment is cancelled or refunded, the refund goes back through Tabby or Tamara, which adjusts your remaining payments. If treatment is added, it is a new payment.
Which dental treatments can I pay for with Tabby or Tamara?
Any treatment you pay for at the clinic, subject to the provider's approval. Patients mostly use them for larger treatments such as braces, crowns, dentures, veneers and implants.
Medical review: to be completed by a Healthpoint dentist, whose name and title will be shown here. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis; your dentist will advise on your own teeth.