Dentist going PAYG instead of Denplan

Pat38493

I have been paying a dental subscription with Denplan for many years, and I am contemplating the idea of going on pay as you go.

I have got a price list for treatments from my dentist, and on the face of it, it will be a lot cheaper for me to pay per session than paying via Denplan, based on everything that's been done in the last 5 years or so.

I'm not sure how to ask this without seeming overly suspicious, but if I cancel my Denplan and just pay each time, am I likely to miraculously find that I suddenly need a lot more fillings etc than before? 

Part of the reason for the question is that this could just be coincidence, but I always seemed to get a lot more fillings about 20 years ago with the NHS than I did after I went on Denplan.  This might be partly due to me just taking better care of my teeth in later years.

Toothsmith

It's certainly worth you having a conversation with your dentist. They won't mind. 

I take it you're on the Denplan Care policy, which pretty much includes all the dentistry you might need? There is a lower level, although not all dentists do both, whereby you can have a lower monthly cost agreement which just includes your check-ups and hygienist visits. This one often has the advantage that if anything more is needed, then you get quite a good discount on the private fees. You also have access to the insurance cover that covers emergencies and accidental damage cover too, which can be very useful if you need it. I can't say your dentist will definitely do this alternate agreement, and I can't be sure exactly what it might cover - as dentists can tailor these plans to cover & not cover what they want them to, so not everywhere is the same.

Sometimes, dental need does tend to ebb & flow a bit. If you 'went through a phase' where you seemed to need quite a few fillings at the same time - then these fillings might well need replacing at a similar time - so you could go through a more 'active' phase of needing treatment again at some point. Dentistry does have a lifespan!

One thing that has certainly changed over the last few decades is when the decision to fill a tooth or replace a filling is made, with things being left quite a bit longer than the used to be. 

So worth having the conversation with your dentist on the options you have, and which might be best for you.

Pat38493

Toothsmith said:

It's certainly worth you having a conversation with your dentist. They won't mind. 

I take it you're on the Denplan Care policy, which pretty much includes all the dentistry you might need? There is a lower level, although not all dentists do both, whereby you can have a lower monthly cost agreement which just includes your check-ups and hygienist visits. This one often has the advantage that if anything more is needed, then you get quite a good discount on the private fees. You also have access to the insurance cover that covers emergencies and accidental damage cover too, which can be very useful if you need it. I can't say your dentist will definitely do this alternate agreement, and I can't be sure exactly what it might cover - as dentists can tailor these plans to cover & not cover what they want them to, so not everywhere is the same.

Sometimes, dental need does tend to ebb & flow a bit. If you 'went through a phase' where you seemed to need quite a few fillings at the same time - then these fillings might well need replacing at a similar time - so you could go through a more 'active' phase of needing treatment again at some point. Dentistry does have a lifespan!

One thing that has certainly changed over the last few decades is when the decision to fill a tooth or replace a filling is made, with things being left quite a bit longer than the used to be. 

So worth having the conversation with your dentist on the options you have, and which might be best for you.

Thanks - that's a good question and actually I cannot seem to find the information about which package I am on.  I am currently paying about £480 per year.  The last few years, I think that all I've had are routine exams, teeth cleaning and x rays, so if it continued like that it would be a lot cheaper to just pay ongoing.  However as you say knowing my luck, I'll need a lot of treatment right after cancelling!

I also did find that the one time I needed a major treatment, because I wanted to have an implant rather than the option available on Denplan I had to pay the full price with a different dentist in the end anyway - that was probably more than 10 years ago.

I also can't seem to find a portal or login information.  I know that they send me an pricing leaflet every year so I guess it will come through soon or I'll just speak to the dentist about it.

Toothsmith

https://www.denplan.co.uk/member-login-area

This is the portal. It has a phone number you can contact them on if you've forgotten log in details. (Go to contact us at the top of the page, then select Patient contact options) Denplan Care is the more inclusive plan, Denplan Essentials is the exam & hyg only option. They should know which ones your dentist will offer. But as I say, do talk to your dentist first about it.

Pat38493

Toothsmith said:

https://www.denplan.co.uk/member-login-area

This is the portal. It has a phone number you can contact them on if you've forgotten log in details. (Go to contact us at the top of the page, then select Patient contact options) Denplan Care is the more inclusive plan, Denplan Essentials is the exam & hyg only option. They should know which ones your dentist will offer. But as I say, do talk to your dentist first about it.

Thanks I will try that.

I am pretty sure it must be Denplan care because I know that basic fillings are included, x rays, and crowns and bridges (but there are also plenty of excluded things as well).