Dental insurance Pros and cons of dental cover
Dental insurance offers flexibility, but it can be expensive
Whether you choose to take out dental insurance can depend on your circumstances. Check the pros and cons below to see if it's worth it for you:
Pros
Dental insurance can be flexible. It offers a wide level of cover and the higher the premium, the more likely you are to receive greater protection.
You can also choose whether to pay monthly or annually to suit your circumstances - dental insurance can provide peace of mind if you’re worried about forking out for big bills. Some policies allow you to choose your dentist and claim for treatment, whether done privately or on the NHS.
Cons
Dental insurance can be expensive. If you’re able to get easy access to NHS care and your oral health is generally good, you’d be better off seeing an NHS dentist for occasional check-ups.
For example, if you visit the dentist once a year, you could be shelling out as much as £252 for annual cover (with Simply Health’s Dental Plus) – some £54 more than the maximum amount you’d pay for top-level treatments on the NHS which include procedures such as crowns, dentures and bridges. If your teeth aren’t in great condition and require more regular attention, dental insurance could be worth considering. However, as most policies have exclusion periods of three to six months, you won't be covered straightaway.
You might also find that some dental insurance policies won’t pay for the full cost of treatment. For example, Simply Health’s Dental Plus will pay 50% of the treatment with an annual limit of £1,000.
- 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
