Have I got to join Denplan?

hildamay1

My private dentist insists that I must join Denplan to be a patient. This does give me Worldwide Dental Trauma and Emergency call out insurance but I am covered by my travel insurance anyway for dental treatment in an emergency. I pay £37.00 per year which isn't a great deal but I have never need to call a dentist when I have been away nor has any of my family. I still have to pay the dentist a small fortune for work done but the receptionist said that if for example I had major problems with my teeth over the Christmas period then my dentist would see me and charge the earth for doing so. I can't see the point of this insurance as if I was that desperate there is always the hospital.
Any views on this please

penrhyn

If you join denplan all your dentists fees are covered.
I think I'm paying around £18/month, the actual charge depends on the state of your teeth when you take out the plan.
My dentist also lets you pay as and when you receive treatment.
You could always seek out an NHS practice.

tirednewdad

If your dentist decides that he will only see people on Denplan then that is his right. If you don't think tha the scheme will benifit you then mention it to your dentist. They will either suggest another practice or might even retain you as a purely private patient.

Usually with the denplan scheme you are placed into different levels of cost depending on the condition of your teeth. The scheme will cover all work the dentist and hygienist does, but does not cover implants or lab fees. If you read the thread on Root cannal treatment you can see that a Private rootfilling with crown will cost about £800, where as the same treatment under Denplan would be £120-150.
It does cover emergancy appointments cost which are expensive for the call outs (you pay the money yourself then claim it back from your dentist.)

The scheme is very good, for a lot of patients but not for everyone.

Hope this helps.

Toothsmith

I don't think you've had the cover explained to you very well.

Dentists doing Denplan usually allow patients to just 'pay as they go' as well, but I do know some who insist on Denplan.

I think you need to contact the practce to get it clear how much you will be paying and what it will cover and what it won't.