Dental Insurance

whatatwit

I don't know about existing HSA policy holders, but I do know that they now will only cover new policies if you have visited a dentist recently, (can't remember the exact time).
I did look at HSA, but as I would not be covered, I joined Tesco....there is a 90 day waiting period (although emergency work is covered) and you do not need to be 'dentally fit' before being accepted.

sweetcarer

Hi there

I took out tesco dental insurance for myself and my husband - we pay about £17 a month for it - NHS treatment.

All you do is visit dentist, pay costs, get itemised bill, send in simple claim form, and send it back to them - you get your money back within 3 weeks approx.

Only problem I have with them is sometimes they forget I am in Scotland where dental costs are different but a phone call to them solves that.

Since taking out policy (last July) I have paid £187 in premiums (approx) and my dental bills have totalled £250 (between the two of us), so the policy has paid for itself ok.

It is good to know I am covered anywhere in the world and for emergencys too.

Check out there website for more details - inc if you need to go private.

Kind wishes

sweetcarer

whatatwit

This is a thread I started about Tesco dental, my 3 months is almost up and I am going to make an appointment with my friendly dentist.
So far, i've not read of any problems with them.

gupsta

Phoned tesco/axa ppp to ask a few questions that weren't clearly documented in the terms and conditions.

1.) Regarding £2000 and 80%.
Answer: Tesco will pay £2000 on £2500 of dental charges It is not a case of them paying £1600 on £2000 of dental charges.

2.) What happens if you want to cancel after 14days have passed?
Answer: After 14days you can still cancel but will have to pay the DD for that month. You are not tied in for a year.

3.) Are you restricted on the type of filling or crown you can have?
Answer: You can choose more expensive solutions like white filings and crowns, if you want. You are not obliged to have cheap amalgum or gold.

Didn't get this in writing, but thought it was worth posting.

vicki_b

hiya i need some pretty urgent work done but here in York there are no NHS dentists (well none that are taking on nhs patients in the next 3 years) and i cannot afford a private dentist as i had a quote and the cheapest amount was £1400 which we have no hope in hell of affording as we are on a low income and would get free NHS dental care IF WE COULD FIND A CHUFFING DENTIST!!!
i've looked at the Tesco dental plan, now would someone be able to tell me how these work?do you start paying and then you can got to a private dentist and get all the work done?...surely it wouldnt be this easy?

many thanks
p.s if anyone has a better way of going about things please let me know as i am desperate and cant afford to lose my two front teeth

Toothsmith

I am no insurance expert, but I think the Tesco one just has a 3 month qualification period.

So if you take it out (On the private rate) and wait 3 months, you can then go to a private dentist and get your teeth fixed and claim up to 75% of the cost back up to £2000.

I would check the T&Cs though, to make sure I've understood it accurately.

whatatwit

When I 'phoned Tesco, they confirmed what Toothsmith has said.
But, you have to pay for the treatment first and then re-claim the money.

Have a look at the Tesco website, if you click on the dental bit, you can download the plan terms and conditions. There is a helpline also if you have any queries.

vicki_b

Toothsmith any ideas on getting an nhs dentist?ive put my name down but it could take many years

angie_loves_veg

Hi vickib I have found that calling this number is very helpful. Whenever I have called them, they have told me which practices are taking on new patients. If you are unlucky, it could be a distance away, so it is worth considering the areas you could access before you call (ie bus routes or train services if you don't drive, places near work, or other areas you could visit fairly easily)

hope this helps..

If you are having difficulty in obtaining NHS dental services in this area please call 0800 389 6819

Toothsmith

vicki_b wrote: »

Toothsmith any ideas on getting an nhs dentist?ive put my name down but it could take many years

With how it is set up - I really wouldn't want to encourage anyone to get an NHS dentist.

There are good NHS dentists out there trying to do the best they can with a terrible system, but the odds are you'll get someone who just does the simplest treatment possible to stop possible/actual toothache.

If you feel teeth are in danger, (I don't understand what you mean with the comment on your front teeth), you are less likely to find a dentist willing to spend time and do complicated treatment to save teeth on the NHS.

Removing stuff that's not simple to fix, and replacing with a denture is the most likely treatment option. An NHS dentist is quite likely to offer to do more complex stuff 'privately' and charge for it - but if you're faced with this choice anyway - then you'd be more likely to get a better job at a dental practice where they do more complex stuff all he time.

Be it private or NHS though - find a dentist using the tips in my signature - not just by going to the only one who is NHS/cheap.