Tesco Dental Insurance

Hi all

Just before I went away last month my lovely dentist finally had to admit defeat with a tooth that she has temporarily filled several times over the past 6 or 7 years and fit a cap at a cost of £370 :eek: .

My back teeth are all filled with very large amalgam fillings and I can feel that others are probably going in a similar direction.

I picked up a leaflet in Tesco today for dental insurance and for about £270 pa I can buy their private dental policy which will cover anything in the future, including crowns and check ups, as long as I am not currently being treated for it. The way I look at it, even with just one crown I am £100 up and if I take it out before 17th September, I get 1000 Clubcard points, which is worth £400 in deals.

All sounds good - too good :rolleyes: - and I wondered if anyone had any experience of this policy?
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Comments

  • SparkyG
    SparkyG Posts: 341 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    My husband and myself have a Tesco dental policy at the moment which we consider very good value for money. We have claimed on it quite a lot, and the process has been very straightforward.

    However, I am a little sceptical of how long it will remain good vfm:rolleyes: About 6 years ago we took out Boots dental insurance, which at that time was fantastic. Each year they reduced the benefits and increased the premiums until it was just pointless in continuing. We then took out HSA dental insurance, and guess what? The same thing happened:mad:

    Knowing how Tesco operate, I would take a guess that they are going to sucker all the punters in, then up the premiums and reduce the benefits and hope we don't notice, or are too lazy to cancel it. However, at it stands at the moemnt, it is very good, so let's make the most of it:j
    :beer: My glass is half full :beer:
  • Amanda65
    Amanda65 Posts: 2,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Lesson to learn then is to get as many crowns in place as possible in the next year or so :D Thanks for the recommendation
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,101 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Amanda65 wrote: »
    Lesson to learn then is to get as many crowns in place as possible in the next year or so :D Thanks for the recommendation


    I think there's a yearly limit of 2k.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Just wanted to point out that 1000 Tesco points is £40 NOT £400..

    Also I think there is a limit of £500 per year for crowns? It didn't used to be but they changed their terms about a month ago which is annoying.
  • SparkyG
    SparkyG Posts: 341 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Also I think there is a limit of £500 per year for crowns? It didn't used to be but they changed their terms about a month ago which is annoying.

    Just had a look at the website, and yes, it now says 'FOR THE FIRST YEAR limit of £500 for crowns'

    My point exactly. Very crafty!:mad:
    :beer: My glass is half full :beer:
  • Amanda65
    Amanda65 Posts: 2,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Just wanted to point out that 1000 Tesco points is £40 NOT £400..

    Also I think there is a limit of £500 per year for crowns? It didn't used to be but they changed their terms about a month ago which is annoying.


    Yep got a bit zero happy when typing! Thanks for the tip about the crowns! Knew it seemed too good to be true. Will have to look long and hard into whether I go for it or not - thanks for the post
  • Titch28
    Titch28 Posts: 97 Forumite
    Hi I've got Denplan insurance and for 4 adults I pay £36.04 a month when I rang Tesco Dental Insurance they quoted me a whopping £78 a month he said it was because I would need two different policies one for me and hubby the other for my two boys age 21 & 19yr, I know Denplan doesn't cover quite as much as Tesco but like you've said Tesco have a limit as well which they don't tell you about in store and as far as I'm concerned if I take out insurance with them at a massive £42 a month more I'd want to be covered for every single thing plus travel expenses to the dentist :D
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,101 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    With Denplan as well, you don't have to 'claim' anything back.

    You just go to the dentist and get treatment.

    I would say that for a regularly attending patient with average dental needs, a payment plan like Denplan would be MORE inclusive for the things you're likely to need, cheaper, and a lot less hassle!

    Strangely though, the Tesco policy is underwritten by AXA - who own Denplan!
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • But with Denplan don't you have to have the state of your teeth checked and the worse they are the more you pay? The Tesco plan does not require you to have a check up I believe.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,101 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    That's true enough.

    I was talking about a regular attending patient though.

    The Tesco policy may be betterfor the person who hasn't been for a while, and feels there may be a lot of (or a bit of) work to do, but once you're dentally fit - especially if you don't have many fillings.


    Please be aware that although I'm a dentist - I'm really not an expert on all the different insurance schemes available to pay for it all!

    I just fix the teeth!
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
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