If you’re looking into obtaining health insurance, you might be wondering if dental and optical care is included. While some providers may offer dental and optical care as part of their comprehensive coverage, most providers don’t offer dental or optical care as part of their standard plans. However, some insurers allow you to add on dental and vision coverage at an additional cost.
So, how does dental and optical cover work for adults? In the following blog, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about dental and vision insurance, and respond to some commonly asked questions on the subject. Let’s take a look!
Can I get insured for dental and vision care in the UK?
While you can get insured for dental and vision coverage in the UK, these are typically not included as part of a basic health insurance plan, whether it be an individual healthcare plan or a family plan. Generally, a standard health insurance plan will usually cover the following:
- Inpatient care
- Some outpatient care
- Cancer cover
- Digital GP services
While some more comprehensive plans will include a more varied range of coverage and treatment, dental and optical care isn’t usually offered.
Why is dental and vision care important?
So, why should you consider dental and vision care when thinking about health insurance? Dental and vision care are essential components of overall health and well-being; good oral health is crucial for proper nutrition and a healthy digestive system, while also contributing to self-esteem, confidence, and quality of life. Poor dental hygiene can lead to a host of issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss, and these issues can not only cause pain and discomfort but can also affect speech, nutrition, and overall health. Additionally, poor dental health has been linked to systemic health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Similarly, vision care is vital for maintaining independence, safety, and optimal quality of life. Having good vision allows us to navigate the world around us, perform essential tasks, and enjoy hobbies and activities. Poor vision can cause eye strain, headaches, and difficulty performing everyday tasks such as reading, driving, or working. Additionally, certain eye conditions, such as cataracts or glaucoma, can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated or undiagnosed for a prolonged period of time.
In short, regular dental and vision check-ups, along with good oral and eye hygiene, are essential for maintaining good health and preventing these issues. However it’s not always easy to get a dental appointment in the UK. According to the British Dental Association, 9 out of 10 dental practices in the UK are unable to offer NHS appointments to new adult patients, with 8 out of 10 practices no longer taking new child patients. Being unable to see a dentist or optometrist regularly makes it impossible to detect and treat potential problems early, meaning that minor issues can end up developing into more significant health concerns.This is where private dental and vision coverage comes in handy.
What is dental coverage?
Dental coverage is quite similar in concept to standard health insurance, and involves paying a monthly premium to an insurance provider - such as Bupa - in exchange for private dental coverage. You can either opt for a stand-alone dental insurance plan, or add on dental coverage to an individual PMI plan of your choosing.
What does dental insurance include?
Dental insurance will usually cover quite a comprehensive range of treatments, but do remember that providers will vary in their policies, which is why using a broker such as Usay Compare can come in helpful. Here’s what dental insurance will usually cover:
- Dental checkups
- Fillings
- X-rays
- Extractions
- Emergency dental treatment
What is vision insurance?
Vision insurance is usually included alongside dental insurance as part of an opt-in cash back plan with many health insurance policies. This means that if you sign up for optical and dental coverage, you may be able to claim back the expenses of any dental or optical treatment that you have in a private facility, up to a certain cash back limit imposed by the insurer.
Is dental and vision insurance worth it?
Whether or not a dental and vision insurance plan is worth it will largely be determined by your own circumstances, your own oral and optical health, as well as your own budget. In general, adding dental and vision coverage to your plan will add - on average - a supplementary £200 to your insurance bill - but when you consider that getting a crown fitted on the NHS costs £282.80 alone, it certainly can be a cost-effective way to keep your healthcare bills down.
You should also consider age as a predominant factor when it comes to choosing the right health insurance plan. As you likely already know, being older is associated with a higher risk of dental and vision concerns - data from Public Health England shows that those aged between 65 and 84 have the highest prevalence of periodontal disease. So if you’re opting for an over 50 health insurance plan, it might be worthwhile adding dental and vision care to your policy.
