Dental insurance Capitation plans explained
Capitation plans are an effective way to spread the costs
What is a dental insurance plan?
With a capitation plan, you pay a regular monthly amount instead of settling bills after treatment. This can be an effective way to spread the costs if you’re likely to require a lot of treatment, and it also means you’ll know in advance how much it’s likely to cost.
Fans of these schemes say dentists can devote more time to patients, but critics say patients are pressured into signing up because dentists are keen to boost their potentially more rewarding private practices.
Types of capitation plan
Maintenance and comprehensive capitation plans are available. They cover different types of treatment and have different pricing structures. Mandatory insurance is often included for dental accident and emergency, oral cancer and hospital benefits.
Maintenance plan
Capitation plans such as Denplan, DPAS or Practice Plan are designed to provide preventive care. They can cover maintenance and accident and emergency insurance.
You can typically expect to be covered for two examinations and two oral hygiene visits with X-rays per year. Because you are paying the dentist directly, there is no standardised cost and price can differ widely between individual practices.
Comprehensive plan
These usually offer unlimited treatment including examination, hygienist, X-rays, fillings, crowns, bridge, root canal and extraction.
The Denplan monthly average for a comprehensive plan is around £19, though the actual fee you pay is based on your oral health and could vary. An initial joining fee might be included, while some dentists insist on examinations and may require you to have treatment before providing quotes.
Other options
Pay-as-you-go
Many dental practices offer a pay-as-you go option. Surgeries decide on fees for check-ups and treatments and set attendance requirements. Paying as you go can prove cheaper than paying for insurance or a capitation plan, although you could be left with a big bill for one-off treatments.
PMI
Many private medical insurance (PMI) policies cover dental treatment. PMI operates in a similar way to dental insurance, as you claim back the cost of any treatment.
Health cash plans
Health cash plans cost less than PMI. You pay a premium to receive a cash sum for treatment. This may not cover the total bill, but it reduces it to a manageable amount.
Going abroad
While costs can be significantly lower overseas, follow-up appointments can prove costly and inconvenient. For more on getting dental treatment abroad, read the General Dental Council’s guide.
- For a personalised solution, call our expert advisers on the Which? Money Helpline
- You might be interested in our guide to private medical insurance
- Interested in income protection? Read our guide
