Private dental care does not have to be paid for in one lump. There are three different ways to spread the cost, and they are often confused with each other. Here is what each actually does.
Dental plans (capitation plans)
A dental plan, such as Denplan, Bupa Dental Plan or a practice's own scheme, is a monthly subscription to your own practice. You pay a fixed amount each month and in return your routine care is covered.
- Typically £15 to £30 a month, depending on the state of your teeth.
- Usually covers check ups and hygienist visits, and sometimes a discount on other treatment.
- Spreads a predictable cost and nudges you into regular visits.
- Does not usually cover cosmetic work, and is tied to one practice.
A plan is best if you go privately, see the same dentist, and want routine care budgeted rather than paid in bursts.
Dental insurance
Dental insurance is an indemnity product that pays out towards treatment when you need it, up to annual limits.
- Pays a proportion of costs, or fixed amounts per treatment, up to a yearly cap.
- Often has a waiting period before you can claim, and excludes treatment for problems you already had.
- Better suited to covering the cost of unexpected treatment than routine check ups.
Read the limits carefully. A policy that caps payouts at a few hundred pounds a year will not go far against an implant or a crown.
Treatment finance
For a single large cost, such as an implant, a course of aligners or a full set of crowns, many practices offer finance through a lender, paid monthly over one to five years.
- Often 0% over shorter terms, with interest over longer ones.
- A credit agreement, so it is subject to a credit check and is regulated.
- Useful for a one off big treatment you have decided on, rather than ongoing care.
How to decide
Add up what you actually spend on dentistry in a normal year. If it is two check ups and the odd hygienist visit, a plan at £20 a month may cost more than paying as you go. If you have ongoing work or a big one off cost, a plan or finance can make it manageable.
Whatever you choose, get the total cost and the exclusions in writing before you sign, and check whether cosmetic treatment is covered, because most of these products quietly leave it out.
This is general information, not financial advice. Compare the specific terms of any plan or credit agreement before committing.