Does the Beishang Dental Clinic provide receipts for teeth cleaning services

　　Do Dental Clinics in Mainland China Provide Invoices?

　　In recent years, many people from Hong Kong have been heading to mainland China on weekends for dental cleaning. A common question is, "Do clinics provide invoices?" In short, most do, but its crucial to ask in advance and prepare the necessary information to ensure a smoother process. This approach also helps with insurance claims or company reimbursements.

　　First, distinguish between a "receipt" and an "invoice." In mainland China, a "receipt" is not equivalent to a "VAT invoice," which is generally whats accepted for insurance purposes. Such invoices are issued through the tax system and include an invoice number and verification channels. Nowadays, many dental clinics use electronic invoices, typically sent as a PDF or link, which contain a QR code for immediate verification.

　　Where can you get one? Most private dental clinics, dental chains, and public hospital dental departments can issue an electronic VAT general invoice. It can be addressed to an individual or a company. However, its essential to specify the purpose and the billing details during the appointment booking to avoid last-minute changes.

　　The typical invoicing process is as follows:

　　- Before booking, ask: "Can you issue an electronic invoice after the procedure? Can it be addressed to an individual or a company?"

　　- Before your visit, prepare the necessary information: name, phone number, and ID number. If a company name is required, provide the company’s full name and unified social credit code.

　　- After the procedure, confirm the project names with the front desk, such as "teeth cleaning," "oral checkup," or "periodontal treatment," to ensure they match the actual services.

　　- The clinic will then send the electronic invoice via SMS, WeChat, or a mini-program. Some may offer on-site printing through a self-service machine.

　　Points to consider:

　　- The content of the invoice must match the actual services provided. Do not ask for alterations or mergers, as this can pose verification and reimbursement risks.

　　- Some clinics issue invoices in "designated time slots" or during system batches on the day of completion, which might require a bit of waiting. A little patience usually resolves it.

　　- If there are errors in the invoice’s heading or service items, you can request a cancellation and reissuance (commonly known as a red-letter invoice) and keep the contact details of the s

　　taff member handling it.

　　For insurance and company reimbursement:

　　- Most Hong Kong insurance companies accept official electronic invoices from mainland China. As soon as you receive the PDF, back it up, take a screenshot of the QR code, and keep records of your consultations or doctor’s advice for a safer submission.

　　- If company medical benefits require a company invoice header, check with HR in advance if they have a mainland tax number. In some cases, Hong Kong companies might lack a mainland tax number, requiring a personal invoice header, depending on company policy.

　　In terms of city differences, large chain dental clinics in big cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou tend to follow standardized procedures, and front desks are usually familiar with the invoicing process. Smaller local shops might only issue receipts or require a third-party platform for invoice issuance, which can take longer, so its best to confirm in advance before making an appointment. Public hospitals have more fixed procedures, higher foot traffic, and may require extra time for queuing and system processes.

　　Common issues and solutions:

　　- Only received a receipt but no invoice: Request the front desk to issue an electronic invoice on the spot by providing the necessary billing details.

　　- Unable to verify the invoice: Use the National Tax Bureaus "Invoice Verification" portal to scan the QR code or enter the invoice number. If it shows invalid, ask the clinic to resend it.

　　- Mismatched project names not meeting insurance requirements: Ask your insurance company for accepted medical project names in advance, verify them immediately after the procedure, and issue the invoice accordingly.

　　Practical tips: Prepare a checklist before departure (invoice header, ID, contact number, insurance-required documents), inform the clinic that you need an electronic invoice first thing upon arrival, and confirm delivery before leaving. Always back up and submit invoices as soon as you return to Hong Kong. Once accustomed to this process, visiting mainland China for dental cleaning becomes smooth, and reimbursement and record-keeping become more hassle-free.

　　In summary, dental clinics in mainland China generally provide invoices. However, remember to communicate in advance, prepare the necessary information, verify details on-site, and keep electronic copies. This way, you can confidently and reliably manage cross-border dental visits.