Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is becoming a necessity in everyday life due to the increased costs of visiting the dentist. Even routine check-ups can be costly. With dental insurance you can claim for treatment whether you choose to go privately or via the NHS. Private dental insurance contributes towards routine treatment, dental emergencies and serious dental problems.

It is not easy finding a NHS dentist , since many dentists now only operate privately. Even if you do find one, most people have to pay for routine dental work. NHS dentists are often overstretched, so may not be taking on new patients, or have a long waiting list even for urgent work.

To be eligible for free NHS treatment you must be under 18 (or 19 if a full-time student), pregnant and until the baby is 12 months old, or in receipt of benefits.

Others receiving NHS treatment pay 80% of the cost, up to a maximum of £372.

NHS patients are registered with a dentist but if you do not have an appointment for 15 months your registration can lapse and the dental practice is under no obligation to offer you further NHS treatment.

Less than half the population bother with regular dental check ups. 5 million people visit their dentist with toothache each year. Seven million people regularly receive private dental treatment, Dental bills are growing, and always seem to come at the worst possible time.