Denplan and the like...

[johnnywb]

I've always vistited the dentist regularly and looked after my teeth. However, living in London, with consultations £90 odd a visit and the price of any other treatments eye-watering, i've decided it might be prudent to look in to Denplan and the like. (i say Denplan simply because it's a name i'm aware of).

So basically, i visit the dentist once a year and hygenist twice a year. I have no fillings, and have had orthodontic work in the past. I would like more at some point.

The purpose of the cover would be to insure against major treatment, i can cope with the hygenist / consultation costs.

Who would the members of PH recommend looking at and what sort of cost per month / per annum am i likely to be looking at?

Ta.

[Shaw Tarse]

Think it's Rach* you need to ask.

[Jagfox]

Dentist i use has a treatment plan- will check to see what it is called.
£144 a year, that covers 2 check ups and 1 visit to hygienist, and 15% off of any major work.

[Big Al.]

I'm getting on in life, not a full set of knashers.

I was NH last year, over the year two out a couple of fillings and a couple of visits to the Hygienist. total bill £400 ish.

Decided to go Denplan, free for most things other than lab work, and 4 free visits to hygienist a year.

I asked about it and final decision was £18 month less 10% as Mrs Big Al. is already on the plan.

Result as far as I'm concerned. OH

[Planet Claire]

I'm with Denplan. I was assessed initially and that put me in Band A, the lowest one, and I currently pay £10.66 per month. I have two dentist vists per year (although I don't think it is limited, that's just my visiting the dentist every 6 months) and I've never had to pay for anything else - the scale and polishes are free and the 'glass' fillings I had last time didn't cost me either. I'm sure if I was to have some major work then I might have to pay up, I should really read the T&C again but as yet I've never had to resort to them.

You can also get discounts for family members living at the same address who are also on the scheme.

[Rach*]

Different companies have different allowances, even Tesco have a value dental scheme!

The last place I worked, offered 2 check ups and 40 minutes of hygienist time then a % off any work you have done.

One of my new places does Denplan, where you are banded on your oral condition and pay accordingly. Then you pay any lab fees for crowns/bridges etc yourself.

I would speak to the practice and see what they offer

Also NICE guidelines have increased the maximum recommended time between check up, so you could ask if you need to be seen 6 monthly or if you could do annually again it depends on your mouth and how good your oral hygiene/diet is

[wobert]

I must be very lucky then, 2 visits in the last 6 months, first cost £18, a check-up & x-rays, second last week, £12 for a check-up.

Next visit, 12 months time. NHS, don't you just love it! ;-)

Try these folks.....

http://www.oasisdentalcare.co.uk/

Edited by wobert on Monday 19th January 20:29

[Nolar Dog]

I looked into joining Denplan.

I was assessed to be in the highest band (D?) and the payment was in the region of £40 per month IIRC.

I decided against it.

[spydersingh]

The only problem I have seen with these plans as a dentist is "supervised neglect" as the dentist underwriting the plan in essence earns more for the less treatment they do. I have unfortunately seen some nasty cases come through where the patient was seen regularly every 6 months by dentist and hygienist on one of these plans and they had loads of untreated decay and gum issues. Trust/Good Dentist is the key!

[mouk786]

Thing is at 10-18 quid a month thats the best part of 120-200 quid.

I dont think I spend tht much a year on treatment.... also if you read the Terms a lot of these plans dont offer the seriously expensive stuff.

[Rach*]

spydersingh said:

The only problem I have seen with these plans as a dentist is "supervised neglect" as the dentist underwriting the plan in essence earns more for the less treatment they do. I have unfortunately seen some nasty cases come through where the patient was seen regularly every 6 months by dentist and hygienist on one of these plans and they had loads of untreated decay and gum issues. Trust/Good Dentist is the key!

Sadly I've seen untreated perio in military/NHS and private practices, the contrast between some of the places I've worked is shocking.

Trust is definately the key

[Chainguy]

I joined denplan last year after having to shell out £1400 to put right botched work (route canal) I had done after leaving the forces.

I pay £30 a month for the wife, junior and I.

I'm currently abroad with work, and have a need to get route canal done. Denplan have agreed to pay for it up to a value of £416 as its emergency work needed. Doesn't get any better in my book than that. Great plan.