TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped UK customers arrange over 900,000 policies, we at WeCovr know that navigating private medical insurance can feel complex. A frequent question we hear is about dental cover: what’s included, what’s not, and is it worth the extra cost? Which PMI policies cover check-ups, emergencies, orthodontics, and cosmetic dental work The short answer is that standard private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK does not automatically include dental treatment.
Key takeaways
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery (e.g., a cataract, a joint replacement, or removing a tumour).
- A chronic condition is a disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, it has no known cure, it is likely to recur, or it requires palliative care (e.g., diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure).
- The Optional 'Add-on' Module: This is the most common method. You pay an additional premium each month to add a specific dental benefit package to your core PMI policy. These add-ons come in different tiers, from basic cover for check-ups and emergencies to more comprehensive plans that include major restorative work.
- Health Cashback Plans: Some insurers offer these either alongside or separately from a PMI policy. A cashback plan isn't insurance in the traditional sense. You pay a monthly fee, and in return, you can claim back a set amount of money each year for various healthcare expenses, including NHS or private dental fees, optician costs, and therapies. They are often cheaper but have lower annual limits.
- What's Usually Covered? Most dental add-ons cover routine examinations and hygiene appointments. However, they almost always come with an annual financial limit.
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped UK customers arrange over 900,000 policies, we at WeCovr know that navigating private medical insurance can feel complex. A frequent question we hear is about dental cover: what’s included, what’s not, and is it worth the extra cost?
Which PMI policies cover check-ups, emergencies, orthodontics, and cosmetic dental work
The short answer is that standard private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK does not automatically include dental treatment. PMI is designed to cover the diagnosis and treatment of new, acute medical conditions. Dental care, especially routine check-ups, is typically managed separately.
However, most major PMI providers offer dental cover as an optional add-on or as part of a cashback plan. Understanding the distinction is key to finding the right protection for your oral health.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about dental coverage within the UK private health cover market, so you can make an informed decision.
The Golden Rule of PMI: Acute vs. Chronic Conditions
Before we dive into dental specifics, it's crucial to understand the fundamental principle of all UK private medical insurance.
PMI is for acute conditions that begin after your policy starts.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery (e.g., a cataract, a joint replacement, or removing a tumour).
- A chronic condition is a disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, it has no known cure, it is likely to recur, or it requires palliative care (e.g., diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure).
Standard private medical insurance policies do not cover chronic conditions or pre-existing conditions (any health issue you had before taking out the policy). This rule applies to dental cover as well. Any ongoing dental problems you have when you buy the policy will not be covered.
How Dental Cover is Added to a PMI Policy
If you want dental benefits with your private health insurance, you generally have two routes. Insurers rarely bundle it in as standard.
-
The Optional 'Add-on' Module: This is the most common method. You pay an additional premium each month to add a specific dental benefit package to your core PMI policy. These add-ons come in different tiers, from basic cover for check-ups and emergencies to more comprehensive plans that include major restorative work.
-
Health Cashback Plans: Some insurers offer these either alongside or separately from a PMI policy. A cashback plan isn't insurance in the traditional sense. You pay a monthly fee, and in return, you can claim back a set amount of money each year for various healthcare expenses, including NHS or private dental fees, optician costs, and therapies. They are often cheaper but have lower annual limits.
| Feature | PMI Dental Add-on | Health Cashback Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Integration | Directly part of your PMI policy. | A separate plan, can be bought standalone. |
| Coverage Focus | Covers a percentage of treatment costs, often with different levels for routine, major, and emergency care. | Provides a fixed amount of money you can claim back per year (e.g., £150 for dental). |
| Cost | Generally more expensive. | Usually cheaper. |
| Typical Use | Better for covering unexpected, high-cost restorative work (subject to policy limits). | Excellent for budgeting for predictable, routine costs like check-ups and hygiene appointments. |
| Providers | Offered by major PMI providers like Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality. | Offered by PMI providers and specialists like BHSF or Medicash. |
An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can help you compare both options to see which makes the most financial sense for you and your family.
What Types of Dental Treatment Can Be Covered?
Let's break down the common categories of dental work and how they are typically treated by private medical insurance add-ons.
1. Routine Dental Care: Check-ups, Scale and Polish
This is the bread and butter of preventative oral health. It includes your six-monthly or annual check-up with the dentist and a visit to the hygienist for a scale and polish.
- What's Usually Covered? Most dental add-ons cover routine examinations and hygiene appointments. However, they almost always come with an annual financial limit.
- How it Works: The plan will typically pay 100% of the cost up to a certain limit (e.g., £150 per year). Once you exceed this limit, you pay the difference. Some lower-tier plans might only cover a percentage of the cost, such as 80%.
Example: Your dental plan covers 100% of routine care up to £200 per year.
- Your first check-up and scale and polish cost £110. The insurer pays it all.
- Your second check-up and hygiene visit six months later also cost £110.
- You have used £220 in total. The insurer pays £200 (your annual limit), and you pay the remaining £20.
2. Restorative Dental Treatment (Minor and Major)
This category covers work needed to fix problems with your teeth. Insurers often split this into "minor" and "major" restorative treatment, with different levels of cover for each.
- Minor Restorative Work: This typically includes fillings, emergency pain relief, and sometimes simple extractions.
- Major Restorative Work: This covers more complex and expensive procedures like crowns, bridges, dentures, root canals, and surgical extractions.
Coverage for restorative work is highly variable.
- Basic plans may only cover minor work or a small percentage of major work.
- Comprehensive plans will offer higher financial limits and cover a wider range of major procedures.
It's common for insurers to apply a co-payment system, where they pay, for example, 75% of the cost, and you pay the remaining 25%. Annual limits always apply and are separate from the routine care limit.
| Treatment Level | Examples | Typical Cover Level (Mid-tier plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | Check-ups, X-rays, Scale & Polish | 100% covered, up to an annual limit of ~£150-£250 |
| Minor Restorative | Fillings, Emergency Pain Relief | 80%-100% covered, up to an annual limit of ~£500-£750 |
| Major Restorative | Crowns, Root Canals, Bridges | 50%-75% covered, up to an annual limit of ~£1,000-£1,500 |
3. Dental Emergencies and Accidents
This is a crucial area of cover. A dental emergency is often defined as an unforeseen event requiring immediate treatment to alleviate severe pain, or treatment needed as a direct result of an external impact (an accident).
- Accidental Injury: If you damage sound, natural teeth in an accident (e.g., a fall or a sports injury), most comprehensive dental plans will cover the necessary restorative work, often with a higher annual limit than standard major restorative work.
- Emergency Call-outs: Cover for emergency appointments to deal with issues like abscesses, severe toothache, or a lost filling.
Important Note: The definition of "accident" is key. Biting down on something hard and cracking a tooth is not always considered an accident by insurers; it may be classed as standard restorative work. An external blow to the face, however, would be.
4. Orthodontics: Braces and Aligners
This is one of the most frequently asked-about areas and, unfortunately, one of the least covered.
- For Adults: Adult orthodontics, whether for cosmetic or medical reasons, is almost never covered by standard PMI dental add-ons. The cost is high, and it's often viewed as a planned, long-term treatment rather than an acute need.
- For Children: Some top-tier, comprehensive family policies may offer a limited benefit for child orthodontics. However, this is rare and often comes with strict conditions. For example, cover might only be provided if the orthodontic work is deemed medically necessary as a result of an accident that damaged the child's jaw or teeth. It will not cover developmental or cosmetic straightening.
If you are seeking cover for your children's braces, you must check the policy wording very carefully. Do not assume it will be included.
5. Cosmetic Dental Work
This is a clear-cut exclusion across virtually all private medical insurance and dental plans in the UK.
Cosmetic dentistry is never covered.
Any procedure that is primarily for improving the appearance of your teeth, rather than for restoring their health or function, is considered cosmetic.
Examples of excluded cosmetic treatments:
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers (unless required to repair accidental damage to a single tooth)
- Composite bonding to change the shape of teeth
- Dental implants (though some very high-end plans may offer a small contribution)
The line between "cosmetic" and "restorative" can sometimes be blurry (e.g., a white crown on a front tooth has both functional and aesthetic benefits), but insurers will only cover it if the primary purpose is clinical need.
Comparing Dental Options from Major UK PMI Providers
To help you understand the market, here is a general overview of the dental add-ons offered by some of the UK's leading private health insurance providers. Please note that features and limits change, so this is for illustrative purposes. For the most current details, it's best to get a tailored comparison from an expert broker.
| Provider | Typical Add-on Names | What's Generally Offered | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bupa | Dental Cover 10, 20 | Tiered options. Cover for routine, restorative, and emergency treatment. Higher tiers include cover for oral cancer and have higher limits. | Bupa has its own network of Bupa Dental Care centres, which can sometimes offer seamless treatment, but you can use other dentists too. |
| AXA Health | Dentist and Optician Cashback | Often structured as a cashback plan. You pay for your treatment and claim the money back up to an annual limit. | Simple and good for budgeting for routine costs. May have lower limits for major work compared to a tiered insurance add-on. |
| Aviva | Dental and Optical | A tiered add-on module. Provides cover for NHS and private treatment, with varying limits for routine care, restorative work, and emergencies. | Known for clear policy wording. The level of cover for major work like crowns is highly dependent on the tier you choose. |
| Vitality | Dental Cover | Integrated with Vitality's wellness programme. Offers different levels of cover for routine, minor, major, and emergency dental treatment. | You may be able to earn rewards or discounts on your premium for maintaining good oral health (e.g., having annual check-ups). |
Working with WeCovr allows you to compare these policies and their specific dental modules side-by-side, ensuring you don't overpay for cover you don't need or miss out on a benefit that's important to you.
Is a PMI Dental Add-on Worth the Extra Cost?
This is the million-dollar question. The answer depends entirely on your circumstances, your oral health, and your attitude to risk.
The State of NHS Dentistry
A key driver for private dental cover is the well-documented difficulty in accessing NHS dental services. A 2023 report from Healthwatch England highlighted that many people are struggling to find an NHS dentist accepting new patients, with some being told waiting lists are years long. According to the British Dental Association, NHS dentistry is "hanging by a thread," with dissatisfaction among dentists leading many to reduce their NHS commitment.
This access crisis forces many to turn to private dentistry, where costs can be significant.
Average Private Dental Costs in the UK (2025 Estimates)
| Treatment | Average Private Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Check-up | £50 – £120 |
| Scale and Polish | £70 – £150 |
| White Filling | £100 – £300 |
| Root Canal (Molar) | £600 – £1,200 |
| Crown | £700 – £1,500 |
| Simple Extraction | £100 – £250 |
Source: Estimates based on data from the Oral Health Foundation and major UK dental chains.
Let's do the maths:
- Cost of a PMI Dental Add-on: Can range from £15 to £40 per month (£180 to £480 per year).
- Cost of Self-Funding: Two check-ups and two hygiene visits per year could cost you £240 - £540.
If you only need routine care, a dental plan might break even or cost slightly more than paying as you go. However, its real value lies in protecting you from unexpected high costs. One surprise root canal and crown could cost over £2,000, far exceeding the annual cost of a comprehensive dental plan.
A dental add-on might be right for you if:
- You value the peace of mind of being protected against large, unexpected dental bills.
- You don't have easy access to an affordable NHS dentist.
- You want to budget for your dental costs with a fixed monthly payment.
- You have a family and want to ensure your children's dental health is covered.
It might NOT be right for you if:
- You have excellent oral health and rarely need more than a check-up.
- You have access to a good, affordable NHS dentist.
- You would prefer to "self-insure" by putting money aside in a savings account for any dental work.
Better Oral Health: Tips to Keep Costs Down
Regardless of whether you have insurance, the best strategy is always prevention. Good oral hygiene can save you discomfort, time, and a significant amount of money.
- Brush Smart: Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Electric toothbrushes are proven to be more effective at removing plaque.
- Don't Forget to Floss: Or use interdental brushes. This is crucial for cleaning the 40% of your tooth surface that your brush can't reach. It prevents gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
- Watch Your Sugar Intake: Sugary foods and drinks are the primary cause of tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar to create acid, which attacks your enamel. Limit snacking and choose water over sugary drinks.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking stains your teeth, causes bad breath, and dramatically increases your risk of gum disease and oral cancer.
- Don't Skip Check-ups: Even if you have no pain, regular check-ups allow your dentist to spot problems early when they are easier and cheaper to treat.
When you purchase a policy through WeCovr, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero. Monitoring your diet and reducing sugar intake with the app is a fantastic way to proactively improve your oral health.
The WeCovr Advantage
Choosing the right private medical insurance UK policy, let alone the right dental add-on, can be overwhelming. The terms, limits, and exclusions vary significantly between insurers.
This is where an independent broker excels. At WeCovr, our service is free to you. We are paid by the insurer only if you decide to proceed.
- We listen to your needs: Do you need cover for just yourself, or your whole family? Is routine care your priority, or protection against major costs?
- We compare the whole market: We have access to policies and dental add-ons from all the UK's top insurers.
- We explain the small print: We'll make sure you understand the annual limits, the co-payments, and what's excluded.
- We save you money: Not only do we find the most competitively priced option for your needs, but clients who arrange PMI or Life Insurance through us can also receive discounts on other types of cover.
Our high customer satisfaction ratings reflect our commitment to providing clear, impartial, and expert advice.
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