Summary
Concluding our thoughts on private - or put your hand in your pocket - dental care. With the limited number of National Health Dentists now available, it's time to sort out the options and put some plans into place.
Dental Care - Where Next
An alternative to a dental plan, which may in many ways be preferable for people with less than perfect teeth, is a good old insurance policy. These are available from lots of sources, from picking up a leaflet at your local store along with your cornflakes, to the big insurers. Don't just look at one though, and remember it's not just down to price - although it clearly matters - but think of just what you get for the money.
Premiums can be paid monthly if you prefer that to paying in one lump sum. It's not necessary to have a dental examination before buying a policy and prices tend to be based on age. You can buy cover for dental treatment in general, treatment in the event of emergencies, serious conditions even extending to oral cancer, or accidental injuries to the mouth.
You may have already had an estimate for dental care through some sort of plan, like Denplan. If so, you have a comparison of the cost versus a dental insurance policy.
With a dental insurance policy you are free to go to any dentist of your choice, whether NHS or private - you can even claim for NHS treatment. Just a point, though; there is normally a ceiling to the amount of money you can claim, although if you're willing to pay a little more on your premium, this top limit can be raised. Watch out too for any exclusions, such as examinations or cosmetic work and check the policy carefully to find out what you actually are covered for.
Then there's another choice. A cash plan is a way to pay for a range of medical treatments, including some dental treatment. There's a limit to how much they pay, but they tend to give you cover at budget prices. One particular plan will, for around 30 pounds a month, give you cover for check ups, white and standard fillings, standard and porcelain crowns and general treatment providing the total doesn't exceed 240 pounds a year. This seems a pretty good deal, but if they outlay is still too much, what about this - cover (by the same company) for around 10 pounds a month!
Whilst it's true that this lower amount would only give you 90 pounds worth of dental cover per year, there's cover for other medical matters such as visits to the optician, health screening, acupuncture, hospital benefits and maternity and paternity deals. A lower scale of payout perhaps, but more general.
So, back to comparing the options. What really matters, at the end of the day, is that you get the best possible cover at the very best price. Remember it's not all about cost, though; you need to make sure that any policy covers the things that really matter to you. It's a very complex task and there's help at hand. A quick trip to the internet will find an on-line insurance adviser, who'll have access to virtually every dental insurance available. They'll carefully consider your particular requirements, bearing in mind that everyone wants the best possible price.
Keep smiling.
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