Dental Insurance Disscusion

Joe65_2

Why is it Moneysupermarkets's so called 'compare dental insurance policies' , at :-
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/dentalinsurance/

only comes up with 1 policy, the same policy, regardless of what criteria one puts in ?
namely:-

Dencover via Moneysupermarket

Where are those so called 35 policies that Martin's article mentions it compares ?

Is there any other comparison site, nowadays ?

hansi

I've just had rather a bad experience with my NHS dentist over the fitting of a gold crown which he can't get quite right. I have already paid the maximum £177 and am going to see him again next week. As a result of this, I think I will will be changing dentists next time around and have already made contact with one, but want get some dental insurance, as I already have a partial denture, so things will get worse. I just had a look at the Tesco Core Cover which appears to suit me and the price is right at just under £10 a month. I know I have to wait a month before I can claim anything and my check up is free as I'm over 60. Are there any pitfalls with this cover? It all looks good on the outside!

hansi

I have another query on this cover. If I take out the Core Cove(NHS), I know I have to wait a month before any benefits are payable, but after my first checkup after that month, will I be covered for that check up and any subsequent treatment. On the Premium Cover, it's three months and no cover for the first check up, isn't it?

Quentin

You get all benefits (on the NHS scheme) after the first month.

For some reason it is cheaper to buy by way of monthly instalments rather than paying annually up front??

hansi

Thanks. My next check up is due in six months, so I'll join in five months time. No point in wasting money!:T

HollyBoots_2

Just been reading this forum, and I can't believe my eyes. Not very many people actually have a good word to say about the magnificent work that dentists do. I completed a pain-free course of treatment about a year ago with a wonderful PRIVATE dentist.

It started with my parents dental phobia, which meant sparse visits to the NHS dentist as a child. I plucked up the courage to register with a NHS dentist at 19 (big mistake as he put a load of ugly metal in my mouth!). For three years, things kept crumbling in my mouth and I had constant toothache, so I registered with a private dentist. This guy 'patched me up' - but he was lovely, a true gent and I was with him for 6 years until he retired. After spending three years frightened to try anyone else, I eventually registered with another private dentist, who for the last two years has been restoring my mouth and my confidence so that I no longer have pain, I can smile without looking like 'Jaws' from the Bond films and maintaining them is a piece of (sugar-free) cake.

I don't know what's wrong with people in this country. Yes, I have spent nearly £2000 on my teeth, BUT IT HAS BEEN MONEY WELL SPENT. I'll get to keep my teeth in my old age. But I don't blame the dentist for the state my teeth had got in. For goodness sake, I use them every day, so they are bound to need maintenance. My current dentist is just dealing with problems that I have brought upon myself and by seeing not so good dentists (ie cheap) over the years. I can't believe that people begrudge paying a dentist even £16 for a check up - I have just paid a plumber £70 to replace a washer in my washing machine!

Get real, people. Dentists are highly qualified professionals. You don't quibble over paying your solicitor £200 an hour for your divorce or buying your house. You don't quibble over paying a hairdresser £40 for a half-decent hair cut - so why the hard time on dentists? My dentist is a lovely, gentle and talented guy and made what could have been a very painful and stressful time, very pleasant.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! So start paying your dentist what he/ she is worth.

hansi

I have read your post and would suggest that you might get a lot of replies. Please remember that some people, especially pensioners, exist on a fixed income and do not have or spend the amount of money that you have paid to keep your teeth in good condition. Everyone is entitled to expect a good service from their NHS dentist, but it seems that like my own position, where I did not deem my crown work work to be absolutely necessary and I am still having problems, that NHS dentists seem to be "looking for problems and charging accordingly. I would love to be able to "go private" but funds do not permit it. Oh, and incidentally, if I need a plumber, I have insurance to cover that.

HollyBoots_2

Hi Hansi,

I am not talking about those that can't afford to pay - I am talking about those people that won't pay.

Are you a dentist, because you seem to have an informed opinion on your crown?

It seems to me that we are not used to paying for good quality dentistry in this country. Who says we are 'entitled' to NHS dental treatment? The NHS is wonderful for medical needs, but why does dental treatment need to be provided by the NHS, costing the government millions that they can spend elsewhere? We did away with eye care automatically provided on the NHS years ago. I think basic NHS treatment should be there for people who genuinely cannot afford treatment, and let those who can afford to pay, pay for themselves. Then market forces will dictate which dentists do well.

I don't know whether you know, but I was shocked to find out that dentists are usually self-employed and have to pay for all their own materials and equipment (except for NHS that get grants and things). So why shouldn't those that invest more in training (mine goes to America to train every year) and better equipment get paid more?

It goes back to my original point - you get what you pay for.

Oh, and by the way, 'pensioners' are not all strapped for cash just because they are on a fixed income! I know if I was a pensioner, having teeth that worked properly would be far more important than my next cruise

hansi

No, I am not a dentist, I just happen to know that I am having more problems with my new crown than I ever had with the old one! And why shouldn't we have dental treatment on the NHS. It's not free you know, I paid £177 for my treatment, and I'm worse off now than before. And why mention a cruise?:rolleyes:

HollyBoots_2

Exactly my point - what is the NHS giving you then? By the sounds of it - you have paid £177 for not very much. Maybe you would have been better not focusing on whether your dentist is NHS, but whether s/he is good or not. I suggest you find yourself another dentist - one that will put the problem right first time (cheaper in the long run!)

PS. My point about cruises, is that I used to work in podiatry and the amount of 'older people' that used to complain about the cost of dentistry, the cost of glasses etc, but would then happily spend £000's on a cruise was phenomenal!