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Dental Plan vs Dental Insurance: What is the Difference?
Three types of dental cover in the UK — and how to choose
The 3 types of dental cover in the UK
1. Capitation plan (e.g. Denplan)
How it works: You pay your dentist a fixed monthly fee. In return, your dentist provides all agreed routine and restorative treatment — check-ups, hygiene, fillings, crowns, and root canals.
Best for: People with an existing private dentist. No claims process. No annual limits on treatment.
Denplan Care: from £13 to £22/month
2. Health cash plan (e.g. Simplyhealth, Westfield)
How it works: You pay a monthly premium and claim back set amounts when you have dental treatment at any NHS or private dentist. Annual limits apply per treatment type.
Best for: People who want flexibility. Works with any dentist — NHS or private. Claim from day one.
Simplyhealth: from £8/month
3. Dental insurance (e.g. BUPA, Boots, WPA)
How it works: You pay monthly premiums. When you need treatment, you submit a claim and the insurer pays up to annual limits. Often includes worldwide emergency cover on higher tiers.
Best for: People who want insurance-style cover, especially for emergencies, travel, or higher-value treatment.
BUPA Dental Cover: from £8/month
Which should you choose?
| If you want... | Best option |
|---|---|
| One monthly fee, no claims, full treatment | Capitation plan (Denplan) |
| Use any NHS or private dentist | Cash plan (Simplyhealth, Westfield) |
| Worldwide dental emergency cover | Insurance (BUPA, WPA) |
| Lowest monthly premium | Cash plan (from £5/month) |
| No annual claim limits on treatment | Capitation plan (Denplan) |
| Online signup today, claim tomorrow | Cash plan or insurance |