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cozey
Forumite 3 posts
I'm a Denplan customer and completely understand that dentists are at significant risk due to the virus. I have a Denplan policy, and have a painful cracked tooth that normally would have been treated by now under that policy - but it's likely that I will have to wait until it is an emergency, and even then I might need to try to get help from the NHS. However, Denplan have continued to take the full premium from my bank account which seems unethical since they can't meet the obligations of their policy. I also wonder if Denplan/SimplyHealth have furloughed staff, even though their policy income isn't reduced?
Anyone else with a view? One for Money Saving Expert to follow up on?
Anyone else with a view? One for Money Saving Expert to follow up on?
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So what do you see as the longer-term future for ensuring we are all still with the same level of access to dentistry (at least!) as we had at the beginning of this year. It is worrying to read re private dentists feel under threat in the long term - and, all the more worrying for those of us in a part of the country where NHS dentists are like moondust to find anyway.
I know a lot of us have dealt with scarcity of NHS dentists in the area we happen to live in by swopping to (cheaper level) private dentists to ensure we have what we require/when we need it. Can we assume that, if there are difficulties likely to be experienced even for those of us using private dentists once we're back in Normal Times again that the Government etc will move back in the direction of encouraging these private dentists to go back into the NHS.
Admits that one of my own dislikes is seeing someone with a mouth full of ugly teeth and long ago decided I would never have teeth that look like that - and I admit to being scared the Government may just leave even the private patients amongst us to "sink and be ugly and/or painful teeth".
So what do you think the Government will do to make sure we can get "full access as Normal" once this is over? I know, in their position, I'd be doing what it takes to ensure private dentists wanted to come back under the aegis of the NHS again and would do so - but are they going to do what is obvious to us as necessary?
During this crisis I know NHS and private dentists who have gone bust already.
my prediction is that access will be much more difficult than now , there will be massive backlogs because treatment will take much.much longer. Some difficult decisions will be made about what nhs dentistry can provide , I would guess a core service eg no crowns, bridges, root fillings etc just very basic treatment.
I totally take the point about the situation dentists currently find themselves in and, like in so many areas of life, Covid has exposed the cracks. I had to take out a Denplan because finding an NHS dentist near me was almost impossible. I like my dentist and wish dentists in general no ill. However, like many people, I currently have no income - it's not just dentists who have been affected by Covid. My original post was about Denplan and the premium I pay to them. In effect, a contract - with many exclusions and provisions that protect them and their interests. Are the Denplan Chief Executive and Directors currently working in an Amazon warehouse to pay the bills. Doubtful. My question was about whether it is ethical to take money for something you are not able to provide - do you not expect a refund when your flight is cancelled, are you continuing to pay your local restauranter for the meals you would have had, will you pay your barber/hairdresser for the cuts you missed over the last two months? We are all affected, but Denplan are still unapologetically taking a premium - no reduction, no explanation of what they are doing to help starving dentists. I note that one car insurer will be giving give it's customers a £25 refund on current policies due to the fact most of them aren't driving much and therefore the insurer's risk level has been lower - is the principle not the same?
Effectively the monthly payment is for the yearly entitlement cost spread over 12 months rather than you paying it when you turn up. So yes you should pay it as you should be getting this 'service'. Any appointments that occurred in the Covid-19 situation will be re-booked once they are operational again. But do remember that you need your dentist practice to be able, financially, to survive this crisis too - and they have been woefully shafted by the Govt in terms of any financial support.
The analogy you used of hairdressers is not quite correct, as that's on a 'pay as you go' type of transaction and not with the cost spread over the year.
On Denplan, the vast majority of your monthly fee goes to your dentist. It is the dentist who owns the surgery, not Denplan. Denplan just take out a small(ish) admin fee for which they provide a collection service, admin backup, and a huge amount of support for their member dentists.
if you are on Denplan Essentials (the budget option) Then your monthly fee gets you a set amount of check ups, a set amount of hygienist visits, and possibly x-rays. Any treatment you need beyond this is paid for at the practices private fee rate, although often with some discount.
Both schemes do have an insurance component that cover emergency care whilst on holiday, weekend call-outs, and damage caused by accidents such as falls, or being hit in the mouth.
For the few who have stopped paying, then they will first of all have to wait until I have room to see them again after I've sorted out the loyal ones (In the new world, appointments will have to be well spaced, and not as many people will be allowed in the building at the same time) And once I can see them, they will have to pay private fees again until they are 'dentally fit' and I can re-sign them onto Denplan.
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.
Surely (correct me if I am wrong) you pay an agreed amount per month which covers checkups and (within certain limits) any treatment you need? So a person in the same band who doesn't need any treatment that year pays the same as another patient who needs loads of work doing? How is most of that not insurance?
Isn't that exactly like a British Gas "Home Care" contract on your central heating? That most certainly is insurance and is regulated as such.
You get an annual checkup ("service") plus parts and labour for any repairs during the year. There are various options like paying a lower premium but then paying a excess on any repairs. Your claims during the year are taken into account if / when you renew.