Dental Insurance

When considering buying an insurance policy our thoughts immediately bring to mind either Car Insurance, Home and Contents Insurance, Pet Insurance or Life and Travel Insurance. But, there are several other types, all of which give cover against a whole range of unexpected moments that life can throw at us. One such Insurance is Dental Insurance. We are gifted with only one set of teeth in a lifetime so it seems sensible to treat them with the utmost care and consideration to preserve them for as long as possible.

Today, in the UK, there are approximately 21,000 Dentists working in the NHS. But, out of those, none are in any way obligated to offer NHS treatment. At the moment, only children, some students, pregnant women and people claiming income support can get free dental treatment. To the vast majority, though, finding free Dental treatment can often lead to a long and frustrating chase. For the fortunate ones who find a Dentist able to accommodate them, there are still the 20% costs to pay for any treatment they receive.

Dental Care Alternatives

The alternative is Private Dental Care. Not only is this usually faster and more convenient, but in some cases you can get dental treatment you would not normally get with the NHS. But, if you only visit your Dentist for check ups, have a good set of teeth and no re-occurring problems, then an NHS Dentist is probably all you will ever need. On the other hand, if finding an NHS Dentist becomes too problematic, or you have a history of dental problems, then the alternative option could well be a Dental Insurance Plan.

Types of Dental Insurance Plans

There are two basic types of Dental Plan. There is the Dental Insurance Scheme and the Capitation Scheme. Dental Insurance Schemes usually cover you for treatment you receive at any dental practice. The benefit of this is that you can stay with your existing dentist. Also, when you first take out the Insurance Scheme you will not normally need any kind of assessment, as you can often find with other Dental Policies. Most of these Schemes will also offer different levels of cover with a vast range of prices to choose from, so there will always be one to suit most budgets.

Dental Capitation Schemes are quite a bit different. Firstly, you register with a Dentist and then pay an agreed monthly sum for the Insurance cover. The Dentist you opt for must also be registered. Though, in theory, most people normally end up choosing the Dentist that is registered with the plan that originally caught their eye. If you do want to keep your existing Dentist, but still take out a Dental Capitation Scheme, then ask your current Dental Practice whether they already have a scheme up and running.

Capitation Schemes are geared more towards the preventative side of Dentistry. Unlike Dental Insurance Policies, where you don't need an assessment, a Capitation Scheme will usually require you to take an examination to see if you are dentally fit. The downside to this is, if you do require treatment, then you usually have to do this before you join the scheme.

Dental Insurance Pricing

The price of Dental Insurance normally rests upon the type, and the level of cover that you choose. You will usually find that the cheapest option will cover you for the costs of basic NHS treatment only. Though, this will usually include check-ups, fillings, crowns and meeting any bills for accidental injury to your teeth. You may find that the Dental Policy has an upper limit it does not exceed in many of these cases, so do check the details and the small print carefully before purchasing.

You may find that the higher, more expensive, level will normally cover you for treatment as a private patient. The upper limits allowed on each treatment will be set a lot higher too.

The premiums for Capitation schemes are based on the state of your existing oral health, and the prices charged by the Dentist that you are already registered with. After the initial Dental assessment you will quite often be quoted a monthly premium. This quote can differ according to which scheme you choose, and also the location, size, and amount of equipment the Dental Practice has.

As with all policies it's highly advisable to read the small print and any exclusions that may be written in. One of the typical exclusions found in Dental Insurance is qualification periods. During this period you are not normally allowed to make a claim for check ups or any treatment you receive. Another grey area is Orthodontic treatment, where the fitting of braces is also very often excluded.

With Capitation Schemes you are paying for your Dental Treatment up-front, on a monthly basis. On the other hand, with Dental Insurance, you usually pay for the treatment yourself and then claim it back at a later date.

Are Dental Schemes and Policies a Good Thing?

If you happen to have been blessed with a good set of teeth, rarely have any problems, and perhaps visit your dentist only once a year then any kind of Insurance may not be necessary for you. But, on the other hand, premiums for these policies can be fairly cheap, especially if your teeth are already in good condition. Not only that, but the peace of mind you get from knowing that you are covered for any accidental injuries, or perhaps seeing it as an economical way to manage your Dental Treatment, could make either of these Policies seem very worthwhile indeed.