Dental insurance is often highlighted as a way to help you pay for any unexpected dental work, but what does a dental plan actually cover? While the policies will differ for different insurance companies, many of the core aspects are common across most dental plans. For this post, we’ll look at the dental plan provided by AXA PPP healthcare and explain each of the elements.
Routine Treatment – This will include things like regular check-ups, teeth cleaning, and most diagnostic work like x-rays and other basic investigatory work
Restorative Dentistry – This will include things like fillings and crowns, and can even include dentures. Many cosmetic treatments, such as whitening or implants, are unlikely to be covered by most policies
Dental Accident Cover – This will cover any emergency treatment you require, typically up to a predetermined amount. Some policies extend this coverage to allow treatment worldwide, while others restrict it to the UK
Oral Cancer Cover – Covers any treatment costs associated with oral cancer. Smokers may not be covered by some policies due to their increased risk of developing oral cancer, so be sure to check this before applying
If you’re shopping for a policy, make sure to check if it covers private dentists or just NHS. Most will offer NHS treatment as part of a basic package, with the option of including private treatment available for an additional cost. The advantage is that private dentists tend to be easier to get an appointment with, although they are almost always more expensive.
Dental insurance policies also tend to have an annual limit on how much you can claim, largely to prevent abuse. Some even operate as a cash plan style policy, offering a set percentage off treatments rather than paying the full amount. These are usually cheaper than full dental coverage, but you’ll pay more if you need extensive treatment.
