“A healthcare cash plan can cover many of the costs of private dental treatement”

Private dentistry is not cheap. Whoever wins the 2010 election, NHS dental resources are going to be stretched and fees will increase. There are several ways to pay for dental care.

Dental insurance plans work by charging a fixed monthly fee. You will be covered for a certain treatment amount, which may or may not include maintenance and checks. Some policies will allow you to go to any dentist. But others restrict it to your own dentist, or just private dentists, or just NHS dentists. Insurance plans cover general dental treatment, injuries and emergency work, plus serious oral diseases; but not cosmetic dentistry. Most policies charge more as you age.

One option is to pay for treatment when the need arises. Three-quarters of all private dental patients pay this way. This option is reserved for those with good teeth who go to the dentist often. You can self-insure by regularly paying money into a high-interest account.

A healthcare cash plan can cover many of the costs of private dental treatment. These are policies that cover a wide range of healthcare costs through a monthly payment, although a few just cover dental treatment. You pay for the treatment yourself, after which you can claim a percentage back from your plan. These work best for those spending money on other healthcare treatments as well as dental care.

If the need for major treatment arises, then it may be cheaper to go overseas for treatment – at a fraction of the UK cost – even after allowing for transport and accommodation.

There are a number of dentists that offer plans to help you to spread the cost of your dental care. You will need to get your teeth checked, but the price of the plan will increase depending on.

By Ian Youngman