Private Dental Insurance UK

Is Dental Insurance Worth It?

To find the best dental health insurance for you will take a bit of research. We accept all major dental health plans, however, it will depend on the individual plan type and your specific needs as to whether your treatments are covered in part or full and each plan will offer different limits for the different types of treatment.

As a general rule Dental health insurance provides a way to spread out the cost of dental treatments by paying a monthly premium and claiming back costs for individual treatments. However, there are several important factors to consider when taking out a policy:

Things to Be Mindful Of

1. Receipts: Always ensure you get a detailed receipt for your treatment. You’ll need this to make a successful claim. Most insurance providers require specific information on the receipt, such as treatment details, dentist name, and cost breakdown.
2. Covering the Payment Upfront: Typically, you’ll need to pay for your treatment on the day and then claim back the cost. This means you’ll need to have the funds available initially before getting reimbursed by your insurer.
3. Treatment Limits: Most policies have annual treatment limits, which means there’s a maximum amount you can claim back each year. Be aware of these limits, especially if you expect to need extensive treatment.
4. Waiting Periods: Many policies have a waiting period before you can claim for certain treatments. This can range from a few months for general treatments to a year for more extensive procedures, such as crowns or root canals.

How Dental Insurance Differs from the NHS

If you’re used to NHS dental care, transitioning to private dental insurance can be quite different. With the NHS, treatments are provided at set bands with fixed fees. However, with dental insurance you are often offered a % of the treatment costs and a maximum amount per 6 -12 months:

• Fillings: On the NHS, a natural/composite tooth filling falls under Band 2, costing around £70. Private treatments, on the other hand, vary in cost. A composite filling can range from £80 to £250 or more, depending on the tooth’s location and the extent of the treatment. With insurance, you might reclaim a portion of this cost, but you’ll still likely pay more than the standard NHS fee unless you have a comprehensive policy.
• Routine Check-Ups: While NHS check-ups are around £25.80 (Band 1), private fees can be £30 to £80. Insurance policies often cover a set amount or percentage of these costs, which may still result in you paying a small out-of-pocket fee.

Comparing Costs: NHS vs. Private Treatment

Whites Dental strive to ensure that all our treatments, whether they are health related or those requiring a cosmetic dentist, are affordable and provided with skill, care and within a friendly environment. Both of our central London clinics are located in accessible locations and offer a female-led, expert team of specialist dentists. To get a handle on our dentist fees we provide several service pages with detailed costs and welcome any enquiries. We also offer dental finance, this option allows 0% interest payment options for those treatments that are considered aesthetic and generally providing you with a confident perfectly aligned and brilliant white smile.

• Crowns: On the NHS, a crown costs around £306.80 (Band 3), whereas private crowns can range from £400 to over £1,000, depending on the material and dentist. Most dental insurance policies will cover a portion of this cost but often have annual limits (e.g., £500 to £700 per year for restorative treatments).
• Scaling and Polishing: This is included in NHS Band 1 treatment but could cost £40 to £80 privately. Many insurance plans cover this fully, provided you don’t exceed your annual check-up and hygiene treatment allowance.

By understanding these features and limitations, you can better gauge whether a dental insurance plan suits your needs, especially if you’re used to the NHS system. Remember to assess policy details, waiting periods, and reimbursement rates to find the best plan for your dental care needs. If you prefer to opt for NHS treatments and need assistance finding an NHS dentist we would suggest that you utilise the search facilities provided by the National Health Trust and carry out checks on the clinic and reviews to ensure that they have the availability to provide the services you require and register with the clinic directly.