Do you need dental insurance?

If you can register with an NHS dentist, you’ll be able to access some treatments at a reduced cost, or even for free. But as NHS patient spaces are limited, you might be forced to go private while you’re on a waiting list.

Paying privately is often expensive. Dental insurance is one way of spreading the cost to make it more affordable.

There are two ways of doing this:

If your teeth are healthy and you only really visit the dentist for an annual check-up, you could be paying for insurance you rarely use.

However, you might still want to take out cover – perhaps because the option of emergency care gives you peace of mind.

If you can’t find an NHS dentist, or you want to use a private dentist, dental cover could help.

Similarly, if your dental health isn’t great and you need regular treatment, insurance could be a cost-effective way to pay for it.

Two important things to know: 

1. Any pre-existing conditions – dental work that needs to be done or an on-going problem – may not be covered, so check first and shop around. 
2. Insurers often have set wait times before you can make your first claim. So, if you’re opting for cover, do not leave this until your teeth are hurting, plan ahead.

Some people choose to ‘self-insure’ by setting aside savings to cover dental costs. This only works if you have good teeth and do not need to dip into your savings often. Think about whether you can save enough to cover bills if you were in an accident and need a lot of work done quickly. See our guide on how to get into the savings habit.

NHS advice is to do everything you can to take care of your teeth and gumsOpens in a new window and reduce dental costs over your lifetime. Even though NHS treatment is capped and typically much cheaper than going private, you usually still have to pay for it.

You might also have to wait longer than you would for private treatment.

NHS costs vary across the UK:

• Find out if you’re entitled to free dental care in EnglandOpens in a new window on the NHS website.
• Find information about costs and free dental treatment in WalesOpens in a new window on the NHS 111 Wales website.
• See what you might have to pay for dental treatment in ScotlandOpens in a new window on the Scottish Government website.
• Find information about costs of dental treatment in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window on the Business Services Organisation website.

Finding an NHS dentist:

• Find an NHS dentist in EnglandOpens in a new window on the NHS website.
• Find an NHS dentist in WalesOpens in a new window on the NHS 111 Wales website.
• Find a dentist in ScotlandOpens in a new window on the NHS Inform website.
• Find a Health Service dentist in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window on the Business Services Organisation website.

• Dental insurance policies cover routine check-ups, as well as the costs of all dental work. This includes dental accidents and emergencies.
• You can often have the work done at either an NHS practice or a private clinic.
• If you use an NHS dentist, you’re more likely to get back 100% of the cost of your treatment.
• If you can’t see an NHS dentist, you’ll only be paid back a percentage of your treatment costs.
  
• You usually pay the dentist first, then claim back your money. If you bought the insurance from your dentist, they might claim directly so you won’t need to pay up front. Remember, you can uaually only start to claim between one and four months after you buy the insurance.
• There could be an excess you still need to pay for expensive treatments, check your policy. 
• There are usually annual limits on how much you can claim for certain treatments.
• If you haven’t been to the dentist in the past 12 months, your policy might not pay for treatment identified at your first check-up.
• Cosmetic dental work, such as teeth whitening, isn’t generally covered.
• Most policies have an age requirement that starts from age 18 – although some start at age six.
• Some policies offer a no-claims discount. So the cost of your premium will increase if you make a claim for anything other than a standard check-up.

Dental insurance costs can range from £70 to £300 a year, with the amount varying between different insurers and policies.

Many insurers offer different levels of cover – from basic routine care up to extensive treatment plans. So, you can choose how much you want to spend and the amount of cover you want.

For example, a cheaper policy might pay out 50% of treatment you receive and/or have a lower benefit limit per condition per year. For example, up to £500 for root canal work in one year.

Even if you have cover, you’ll still have to pay for some treatment and there’s a limit on how much you can claim back for each treatment plan. For example, you might be paid a percentage – from 50 to 70% – of the fee charged by your dentist for remedial dental treatment. Although some policies refund 100% of the fee for NHS treatment.

Companies often offer dental plans as part of their employee benefit packages, such as through their private medical insurance.

Some employers set up the policy for you and pay all the premiums as part of their package, offering varying levels of cover.

Others offer discounts to employees who use a dentist covered by their plan.

If you don’t have access to private medical insurance through an employer, you can buy it from:

• an insurer
• your dentist
• a broker
• a financial adviser
• a bank
• a building society
• a retailer, such as a supermarket.

You can also shop around for cover using comparison websites – where it’s often referred to as health insurance.

• Which has a useful comparison tableOpens in a new window 
• Money Saving Expert lists a range of healthcare plansOpens in a new window 

To find out more see:

• our guide How to find the best deal on your insurance using price comparison sites
• our guide Choosing a financial adviser
• the Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries for a medical insurance brokerOpens in a new windoOpens in a new windowOpens in a new window

These plans spread the cost of your dental care over a year. They’re sometimes known as ‘capitation plans’.

You can sign up for treatment at different levels:

• Level one covers routine care, such as check-ups, scale and polish, X-rays and fillings.
• Level two includes restorative treatment as well, such as crowns and root canal fillings.

There are flexible plans designed especially for children and plans that include cover for dental injuries and dental emergencies on a worldwide basis.

The monthly average costs the same as the more expensive dental insurance policies. If your teeth are in good condition, you’re probably better off on the NHS.

With a dental plan, you’re tied to a particular dentist. A referral to a specialist, such as an orthodontist, won’t be covered.

If you change dentists – when you move to a new area, for example – you might have to start the process again. This means the amount you pay might have to go up.

The cost depends on the plan you choose and your oral health.

The monthly fee is set by your dentist, based on an examination of your dental needs.

If you choose a comprehensive plan, your dentist will examine you. Depending on how much time, care and treatment you’ll need over the year – they’ll put you in a band with a set fee.

You could move up or down between fee bands if your oral health improves or deteriorates. You might also have to pay a joining fee.

As you’re paying the dentist directly, be aware that prices might vary widely between practices.