How can I fund my dental care?

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Dental care is something that everyone needs to be aware of. But while we all need to take care of our teeth, the array of options that exist and the things to look out for aren’t always clear. So let us help you work out how best to cover the cost of looking after your smile.

Ways To Pay

Several options exist for funding the dental care. The first, and most obvious, is self-financing, on a pay as you go basis. You can do this via private dentistry, which can be quite expensive, or alternatively you can have the cost subsidised by using the NHS for your treatment.

The latter involves following a fixed price list, which starts off at  £19.70 for a routine check-up, diagnosis or scale and polish. It can go all the way up to £233.70 for more advanced treatments. The good news is that this is all free if you are retired, unemployed, underage, or receiving certain State benefits *

Capitation Plans

You can spread the cost in a couple of different ways. One method is via what is known as a ‘capitation plan’, which is a payment plan often organised through the dentist. You pay a set fee each month, depending on your dental health, etc., and this covers all routine appointments, plus additional work. Commentators such as personal finance expert Martin Lewis have speculated that this may lead to excessive charging, as the monthly fees can be high, and many people often only attend once or twice yearly for their routine check-up.

Dental Insurance

Another method of covering you can consider is the use of dental insurance plans. Companies like Dencover provide a range of different plans to suit different levels of cover, all typically including routine treatments, and ranging from ‘NHS’ policies which cover treatment with your local NHS dentist, right through to ‘Platinum’ policies which cover larger sums for advanced private treatment.

It’s best to examine the details of these policies yourself, but they do come recommended by several personal finance experts including Martin Lewis *2, and can offer excellent value for money. One key tip they suggest is that it’s important to choose a plan that matches your needs.

Things To Bear In Mind

There are some things it’s worth bearing in mind before you put your hand in your pocket to pay for your teeth. Firstly, it may turn out that you’re already covered through a work healthcare cash plan, so it’s worth checking with your employer. You should also take into consideration that you’re not covered for pre-existing conditions under dental insurance policies. Lastly, you should check for excesses, so you’re fully aware of what is not covered.

In terms of choosing between private and NHS care, it’s worth pointing out that these can both be provided by the same dentist. Going private will also bypass waiting lists, but  as prices are set by individual dentists, rather than nationally, treatment can be expensive.

Weighing It Up

As with any aspect of personal finances, you need to weigh up the potential costs of spending money on dental insurance, against the benefits gained. This will vary depending on your current oral health budget and needs, as well as the different plans and products available on the market. It’s a judgement that only you can make, but through careful budgeting and planning ahead, you should be able to come to a decision that is right for you.

For more information on dental insurance, head to www.dencover.com

*1 Information correct as 20/05/2016

 data source:  http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Dentalcosts.aspx

*2 http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/dental-insurance#bestexcess

from Finance Girl http://www.financegirl.co.uk/how-can-i-fund-my-dental-care/