
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped UK customers arrange over 800,000 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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Let's break down the common categories of dental work and how they are typically treated by private medical insurance add-ons.
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.
Example: Your dental plan covers 100% of routine care up to £200 per year.
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.
Coverage for restorative work is highly variable.
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 |
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).
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.
This is one of the most frequently asked-about areas and, unfortunately, one of the least covered.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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:
It might NOT be right for you if:
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.
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.
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.
Our high customer satisfaction ratings reflect our commitment to providing clear, impartial, and expert advice.
Ready to protect your smile and your finances? Take the guesswork out of private health and dental insurance.
Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote and let our experts find the perfect cover for you.






