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Dental Insurance

And other ways to pay for dental costs

dental insurance
Tony Forchione
Tony Forchione and Rebecca Rutt | Edited by Johanna Noble
Archived 1 August 2018
Visiting the dentist can be a terrifying experience even without the bill. The NHS is the cheapest option, but you'll still have to pay for treatment.

If you're struggling to pay, or considering alternatives to the NHS, dental insurance can help cover your costs. In this guide we explain what's covered by the NHS, how dental insurance works and how to find the right cover.

This guide is no longer updated. For more on insurance, see our insurance guides. 

In this guide

What is dental insurance? Your 10 need-to-knows

The best way to keep dental costs down is to take good care of your gnashers but, according to the Oral Health Foundation, one in three people have NEVER flossed their teeth, and one in four don't brush twice a day.

If your teeth are in good shape, an NHS dentist may be the best option as it is, after all, the cheapest way to care for your teeth. However, if your pearly not-so-whites need a fair amount of attention, you'd like the option of private dental treatment or you want to insure against the cost of dental emergencies or accidents, dental insurance could lower your costs.

What is dental insurance? In a nutshell there are 2 main types:

  • A policy to cover NHS treatment
  • A policy to cover a certain level of private treatment

But policies tend to vary hugely between insurer, so it'll pay to gen up before you buy. Here are 10 things you need to know...

  1. You STILL have to pay if you use the NHS

    While we're used to being able to go to an NHS doctor for free, this is not the case when it comes to seeing an NHS dentist. Yes, it's much cheaper than going to a private dentist as NHS treatments are capped, but you'll still have to pay.

    In England and Wales, NHS dental charges fall into three costs (bands 1 to 3) depending on what treatment you need, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland, patients have to stump up 80% of the dental fees to a maximum of £384 per treatment. Basic dental insurance policies would cover these costs.

    • The cost of seeing an NHS dentist in England

      NHS pricing bands for England
      TABLE_CELL_STYLE PRICE WHAT'S INCLUDED
      Band 1
      		 £21.60
      		 An examination, diagnosis, X-ray, advice on how to prevent future problems, scale and polish, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. If you require urgent care, even if you it needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one charge.
      Band 2 £59.10
      		 Everything listed in band 1, plus any further treatment, such as fillings (white fillings or cosmetic braces aren't included as they count as private), root canal work or the removal of one or more of your teeth by the dentist.
      Band 3 £256.50 Everything listed in bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.

      When you pay for NHS dental fees, you pay one fee and it covers all the treatment within the band. If within two months of finishing a course of treatment you need more treatment covered under the same band, or a lower one, it's included, so you won't pay again.

      If it's after this time, you'll need to pay again.

      You also won't pay again if you need repair work or a replacement for certain types of restoration within a year of the original work being done.

    • The cost of seeing an NHS dentist in Wales

      NHS pricing bands for Wales
        PRICE WHAT'S INCLUDED
      Band 1
      		 £14
      		 An examination, diagnosis, X-ray, advice on how to prevent future problems, scale and polish, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. If you require urgent care, even if you it needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one charge.
      Band 2 £44
      		 Advanced scale and polish, permanent fillings, extraction of teeth, transplantation of teeth and oral surgery, including surgical removal of cyst, buried root, 'unerupted' and impacted teeth.
      Band 3 £190 Crowns, bridges, full or partial dentures and orthodontic treatments.

      When you pay for NHS dental fees, you pay one fee and it covers all the treatment within the band. If within two months of finishing a course of treatment you need more treatment covered under the same band, or a lower one, it's included, so you won't pay again.

      If it's after this time, you'll need to pay again.

      You also won't pay again if you need repair work or a replacement for certain types of restoration within a year of the original work being done.

    • The cost of seeing an NHS dentist in Scotland and Northern Ireland

      In Scotland and Northern Ireland, patients pay 80% of the dentist's fee, to a maximum of £384 per treatment. Each treatment is priced individually, and a scale and polish, for example, costs £11.12. The costs of some of the most common treatments are listed below.

      NHS pricing bands for Scotland and Northern Ireland
      TREATMENT PRICE
      Examination
      		 No charge
      Two X-rays
      		 £4.88
      Simple scale and polish
      		 £11.12
      Silver filling £7.56 to £19.44
      Simple extraction £7
      Complete dentures £153.68
      Root canal (front tooth) £40.92
      Crown - front tooth £73.60

    • I heard some people will get free NHS dental work – who are they?

      Some groups in the UK are exempt from paying, such as children under 18, those under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant women, those who have given birth within a year, and people receiving means-tested benefits, but everyone else has to pay.

    • What's not covered by NHS dental treatment?

      The NHS is there to make sure your teeth are healthy, but it's not there for cosmetic improvements to your teeth or treatments which aren't necessary for oral health – such as teeth whitening. If you want something like this, your only option is to choose a private dentist.

    • How do I find a local NHS dentist?

      Although everyone is entitled to NHS treatment, finding a dentist can be tricky depending what part of the country you live in. Contact your local Primary Care Trust, or visit the NHS website to find your nearest NHS dentist.

    • When do you pay for NHS dental work?

      It all depends on your dental practice. Some may ask for the whole payment for your treatment upfront, while others will ask you to pay after it has all been completed. Check with your surgery at your first checkup.

    • Are braces covered?

      Braces are available on the NHS for children and occasionally for adults if there is a clinical need.

  2. Your NHS dentist may ALSO be your private dentist

    Most dentists perform a mixture of private and NHS treatment. For example, you may get a standard grey filling (amalgam), which is considered an NHS treatment, or a white porcelain filling, which is classed as a private treatment and you'll be charged more for.

    dentist chair

    If you're unable to find an NHS dentist or you prefer to go private, the costs will be higher. Going private also means you'll bypass NHS waiting lists. However, as prices for private dentistry are set by the dentist, they vary across the country. This is because the private dental industry is unregulated when it comes to pricing, but not for treatment.

    Therefore, before you book yourself in, get quotes from a few different dentists to make sure you're getting the best price.

  3. Self-insuring could be the best option if your gnashers are in good condition

    A sensible alternative to buying dental cover is to self-insure. Instead of paying £10ish a month for dental insurance, stash away the same amount in a high-interest-paying savings or bank account (for full info and our best buys see our Top Savings Accounts and Best Bank Accounts guides).

    toothbrush

    When you need treatment, use this cash to pay for it. And if you don't need any treatment, you get to hang on to your cash and the accrued interest.

    If you don't want to pay your dentist upfront for dental work, there are three other ways to pay:

    • Use a healthcare cash plan, which gives basic dental cover (you'll pay for it and can then claim the money back) and includes other things such as cover for optical and physiotherapy costs.
    • Buy a dental insurance policy. If this is your preferred option, see below for more information.
    • Use a 'capitation' plan, which spreads out your routine dental costs over a year. These work by a dentist estimating how much you'll spend per year on treatment, then averaging out the cost over a year in 12 monthly payments. Be wary though as these policies can be expensive.

  4. Thinking of buying dental insurance? Never assume all policies are the same

    In a nutshell, dental insurance covers routine and emergency dental work, and some policies include worldwide cover. These policies typically work by you paying out for the dental treatment upfront, and then claiming back the money from your insurer.

    But don't assume all policies are the same. Prices start from £6 per month and usually have different levels of cover to choose from. For example, a basic policy may cover all of your NHS treatment and cost £10 per month, while a more comprehensive policy for £20 may cover some private treatment costs.

    • What is typically covered by a dental insurance policy?

      Each dental insurance policy is different, and you'll need to check the small print to see exactly what's included, though most cover the following:

      • The cost of routine NHS treatments, such as checkups and a scale and polish.
      • NHS costs up to a certain maximum limit that will cover treatments such as fillings, crowns and bridges.
      • Cover for emergencies, which require immediate medical attention, and accidents, where something has happened to damage your teeth or mouth and you need urgent medical attention to fix it.
      • One-off payment for oral cancer.
      • Worldwide dental cover.
      • Some private treatment, such as cosmetic work, may be included but it won't be automatic and will generally only come with more expensive policies.

    • What is typically NOT covered in a dental insurance policy?

      As with all insurance policies, there are several things providers won't pay for – although you always need to check the small print of your policy to find out. Things to watch for:

      • Most providers won't let you claim for the first three months, unless it's for a routine checkup.
      • Cosmetic treatments are not usually covered.
      • Treatments that are not clinically necessary, unless as part of a course of NHS dental treatment, may not be covered.
      • If a condition is new, you will be covered for it, but if it is related to an incident that happened before you took out the policy – such as a car accident – you may not be covered.
      • Many providers, such as SimplyHealth, WPA and Dencover, only pay out a percentage of costs. For example, they'll only pay up to 50% of the cost of routine treatment (to a maximum of £200) and you'll have to cough up the rest.

    • How do I pay?

      Most dental insurance policies require you to pay upfront for the treatment and then claim back within six months. This means you'll need to have the money to pay for the treatment. Once you've paid, you'll need to send off the receipt and a claim form to the insurer to get your money back.

      If you don't have the cash to pay upfront, you could use a 0% purchase credit card to do so. But this doesn’t mean there’s nothing to repay each month – you still need to make the minimum repayments, or you’ll loose the 0% deal. And make sure you fully clear the card(s) by the end of the 0% period. See our 0% Credit Cards guide for more details.

    • Is it more expensive for older people?

      Unlike other types of insurance, dental cover usually costs the same regardless of your age – so a 25-year-old and a 45-year-old will pay the same. Some (but not all) have age caps of 50, and after this age the price will become more expensive or even difficult to buy.

    • How often is the policy renewed?

      Dental policies are typically renewed once a year, and it's crucial you check what's covered before you buy a policy. When the year's over, don't rely on sticking with the same provider to get the most competitive price – always get a few different quotes to see if you can get a better deal.

    • Are my children included?

      Most dental insurance policies cover only the person who has bought the policy. Plus, as children get free NHS dental care up to the age of 18, they usually won't need one of these policies. However, as the NHS only covers dental treatment that is necessary for oral health, things like white fillings aren't included.

    • What's the difference between a dental emergency and an accident?

      Dental emergencies include such things as a tooth breaking, cracking, becoming loose or being knocked out. They can also happen if a filling or other dental work fails, or if you have an acute dental infection.

      If you are in severe pain or need to see a dentist urgently because problems with your teeth are affecting your general health, it's classified as a dental emergency.

      If you are in an accident and your teeth are damaged, it's a dental accident. If you're unsure, check the wording in your policy.

    • What if I change my mind after I bought the policy?

      Most policies will have a 14-day cooling-off period in case you change your mind. You should get a full refund unless you've made a claim.

  5. Check you're not already covered

    If you're thinking about getting dental insurance, the first thing to check is if you already have cover, so that you don't end up paying for it twice.

    This could be through a healthcare cash plan. These are often offered by employers as an employee perk (but you can also buy them yourself).

    healthcare cash plan cover

    Healthcare cash plans are a cheap way to cover dental costs. They are a type of insurance policy that lets you claim back the cost of a range of treatments, such as eye tests, dental treatment or physiotherapy (see our Healthcare Cash Plans guide for more detail).

    You pay a monthly premium, from £5 (or nothing apart from the tax if it's through your employer). Once you've had your treatment, you send the receipt to the insurer and it reimburses you, depending on the terms of your policy.

    If you know you're going to need to spend a fair bit on your teeth, or you want a larger safety buffer in case of emergencies, a stand-alone dental insurance policy may be better because the cover will be higher.

    • Is dental insurance available via your employer?

      Some employers offer private dental plans for employees, so check if this is an option.

      If you have it, although the cost of the dental policy may be free, you'll still pay tax on it. This is because it's known as a 'benefit in kind'. However, this is still much cheaper than paying for the policy yourself.

    • Can I get help with dental costs if I'm on benefits?

      You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatments if you receive any of the following benefits:
       

      • Income Support
      • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
      • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
      • Pension Credit guarantee credit
      • Universal Credit

  6. You can't fix a tooth that's already broken

    Pre-existing conditions typically aren't covered under dental insurance. You may be able to get cover for some basic treatments – such as checkups and a scale and polish – but anything more serious won't be covered.

    The definition of a pre-existing condition depends on the insurer, but most say it's anything you've had in the past year, with the exception of oral cancer. If you've had oral cancer before, or you get it within 90 days of the policy start date, you usually won't be covered – but always check.

    Some insurers will require you to have had a checkup within the last past year to get a policy, so always check.

    • I've been told I need a filling, is it a pre-existing condition?

      Most insurance policies don't cover pre-existing conditions and any treatment which has already been given can't then be claimed for if it was started before you bought the insurance policy. Therefore if you've already been to a dentist and been told you need a filling, and then buy dental insurance, you won't be able to claim on it for the filling.

  7. It's cheaper if you pay an excess but make sure it's not too high

    Not to be confused with living the high life during the festive period or a long afternoon at the local all-you-can-eat buffet, an excess - in the insurance sense - is the amount you pay towards any claims you make.

    For example, if your excess is £50 and you have had an dental appointment with a £150 bill - you'll pay the first £50 and the insurer will stump up the rest.

    The larger the excess the cheaper the premium. But be careful when picking one as you need to make sure you can afford it.

  8. Be wary of getting cover through your dentist

    One of the most common ways of paying for dental treatment is through a 'capitation' plan, and around 80% of those with dental insurance have one.

    They're designed for covering routine treatments such as checkups, and the biggest provider is Denplan (owned by SimplyHealth).

    Most people buy these plans because they want the peace of mind of knowing they won't pay anything upfront at the dentist, because the cost is covered through regular payments.

    toothbrush

    Unlike standalone dental policies which you buy from an insurer, you buy a capitation plan through your dentist. They will analyse your teeth and then decide how much you should be paying based on how much they think you would usually spend per year on your dental health.

    You agree to the monthly charge and then pay the insurance company, and it pays the dentist.

    Each year the dentist has the option of reviewing the fees (they don't have to) so if you've got one of these plans it's worth asking for a review once a year to check you're not paying too much.

    Sounds great in principle but we've heard stories of people being charged far more than they would ever claim for. For example, one MoneySaver's paying £30 per month while only requiring two checkups in a year.

    We approached Denplan - by far the biggest player in this market - and asked it to provide us with some cost figures. However, it declined, saying that it was unable to because these are set by the individual dentist.

    We'd say approach the policies with caution and if you don't think the price adds up, don't be afraid to say no to your dentist and go elsewhere. For example, basic dental insurance policies start from £6 per month and these will cover the same routine NHS treatment.

    • Can a dentist sell you an insurance policy?

      It depends - if you buy a capitation plan instead of standalone dental insurance, you'll buy it through your dentist.

      The two, slightly confusing, ways in which your dentist will sell you the policy are as follows.

      In the first instance, your dentist will give you a brochure about the company, eg, Denplan, and you can then arrange the cover directly with the insurer.

      The second is if your dentist passes on your details to an insurer. To do this the dentist will need authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or be registered as an "appointed representative" of an authorised insurer – you can check if it has this on the "'firm search" or "individuals search" on the website – the insurer will then be able to contact the patient directly and organise the insurance.

    • Can I only use certain dentists with a capitation plan?

      Yes – you can only visit your registered dentist, unless it's an emergency or accident.

    • I like the idea of a capitation plan simply because I am worried about the upfront cost of dental care. Is there another option for me?

      Instead of choosing one, which could be significantly more expensive, a dental insurance plan could cut your costs.

      If you don't have the cash to pay upfront for treatment and then claim back later, a 0% purchase credit card is an option (make sure you fully clear the card(s) by the end of 0% period). See our 0% Credit Cards guide for more details.

  9. Going abroad could cut costs but can be risky

    If you are in need of major private treatment for your teeth, costing £1,000s, it could be cheaper to go abroad for it.

    Many foreign clinics advertise on the internet, and some have offices in the UK where you can go for an initial appointment.

    We've heard positive reports from MoneySavers of top-class overseas dentists where treatment is a fraction of the cost. Here are a few for inspiration...

    I had a good time in Chiang Mai and found a dental practice recommended by various westerners. For the price of £1,500, (not implants) I had a load of work done. Apart from it taking ages in the UK, it would have cost about 5 times as much - Pjpern.

    I've had extensive dental treatment in Turkey. Surgery open 24/7 so some of the appts were quite bizarre as in 9pm - 2am for instance. Very satisfied as all done for under £5k including air fares - Sheepieju.

    While in Slovakia I always get my dental work. I have 8 implants and had my remaining teeth fitted with crowns. I cannot praise them enough. It cost around a third of the price and the hygienist is far superior to any I have visited in the UK. Six years on I'm still singing their praises - Lesanne115.

    Warning: We've all heard horror stories of foreign medical and dental treatment going wrong. This is because the quality of treatment can vary wildly, so if you're going to go down this route, there can be big risks involved so do your homework first. You also won't have the same protection as you'd have in the UK and the dentist's qualifications needed will differ depending on where you are in the world.

  10. If you're not happy, complain

    If you're unhappy with your insurer, say you think it's unfairly rejected your claim, the first thing to do is complain to it. If after eight weeks it hasn't replied, or you're not happy with the response, you can escalate your complaint to the free Financial Ombudsman.

    The Ombudsman is an independent adjudicator that will make the final decision on a claim if you are locked in a dispute with your insurer. For more on how to make a complaint, read our Financial Rights guide.

    • To whom do I complain about NHS dental work?

      For NHS dentists, if you aren't able to sort out the problem by complaining directly to your dentist you can escalate the complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. It's a free independent body that can investigate the issue for you.

      If it rules in your favour it'll make recommendations to the dentist to put things right. This could through an apology, compensation and/or making sure the same mistake doesn't happen again.

    • To whom do I complain about private dental work?

      For private dentists, first complain to your dentist directly. If that doesn't solve the problem then go to the Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS) if your dentist is a member (it's not mandatory). It has a Complaints Code of Practice which includes an independent adjudication service.

      It will look into your issue and if it rules in your favour it can ask the dentist to act to put things right. This could be by apologising or paying out compensation.

      Alternatively, you can contact the Dental Complaints Service. It's also free to use and funded by the General Dental Council, the organisation that regulates dental professionals in the UK.

      It will only deal with complaints about problems that occurred in the past year and if it rules in your favour it can ask the dentist to give a full explanation and apology, give you a refund of your fees and even pay towards further treatment you may need.

    • Can I get a refund if I've been overcharged for an NHS treatment?

      If you've been wrongly charged, first talk to your dentist. It will know what treatment was carried out and can refund you if you've paid too much. You'll usually need to apply for a refund within three months. 

    • How can I tell I'm not getting ripped off?

      Most dentists carry out a mixture of private and NHS dental treatment. They are required to examine your teeth and then clearly explain to you the costs of both before you make a decision on what treatment to have. Some reports suggest dentists aren't always forthcoming with the price of NHS treatments, so make sure you're aware what's available to you before you get in the chair.

    • Do I have more protection if I've paid by credit card?

      If you pay for your dental treatment on credit card there is an extra layer of protection available. This comes under the Section 75 protection which covers anything you buy which is priced between £100 and £30,000. The credit card provider must protect purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 for free, so if there's a problem you could get your money back.

What to do if something goes wrong

First, you need to complain to your insurance company directly. If it doesn’t respond, or if you don’t like what it says, then you don’t need to just take it.

You can escalate your complaint to the free Financial Ombudsman. The ombudsman is an independent adjudicator which will make the final decision on a claim if you are locked in a dispute with your insurer. For more on how to make a complaint, read our Financial Rights guide.

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