Understanding Company Dental Insurance

Company dental insurance is a type of cover that businesses can provide for their employees to help with the costs of certain dental treatments. This insurance typically covers a range of dental services, from routine check-ups and hygienist visits to more complex procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals. Like a cash plan, employees often pay for their eligible treatment upfront and then claim the money back up to the agreed limits of their policy. However, one notable benefit with some insurers is the option to visit a network of dental practices where employees can settle their bills directly, without having to pay anything on the day of the treatment.

As access to NHS dental care becomes more challenging, with waiting lists potentially extending for months, private dental care is becoming a more viable option. Company dental insurance can help cover some or all of the costs (depending on the treatment and benefit limits) of private dental care. Since most people need a dental check-up at least once a year, this benefit is widely appreciated. Additionally, dental insurance plans are often cost-effective, making them an affordable and valuable offering for businesses.

In this article, we cover the key aspects of company dental insurance, including the main types of dental insurers and an overview of the typical claims process. Whether you’re considering dental insurance for the first time or reviewing your current plan, this guide offers useful information to help you make an informed decision.

Main Providers and Types of Underwriting

When considering company dental insurance, there are several well-known providers that offer plans. Leading insurers in this space include Bupa, Unum, and Simplyhealth (Denplan). Each provider offers a variety of options to choose from, and in some cases, it may be possible to create different categories of cover for different individuals. You can find out more about these providers, their plans, and the levels of cover available by speaking with a regulated broker.

There are typically two types of underwriting for these policies:

1. Medical History Disregarded (MHD): Under this option, eligible treatments may be covered straight away, including eligible pre-existing conditions. However, there can be general exclusions—such as gaps in teeth—that are not covered. For insurer-specific underwriting information, you’ll need to speak with a specialist broker or contact the insurer directly.

   
   

2. Waiting Period Underwriting: With this type, all new and unrelated eligible conditions are usually covered straight away; however, pre-existing conditions may not be covered immediately. Insurance companies may offer this underwriting method to help prevent organisations from signing up for cover, making large claims, and then cancelling the policy shortly afterwards. This approach can help them create more sustainable products and pricing for their members. Again, for insurer-specific underwriting information, you’ll need to speak with a specialist broker or contact the insurer directly.

   
   

The Two Main Types of Corporate Dental Plans

Company dental insurance policies generally come in two main types:

1. Traditional Dental Plans: These plans provide itemised cover, with set limits for specific types of treatment. For example, there may be a separate maximum claim amount for treatments such as check-ups, fillings, crowns, or hygienist visits. Most providers offer a range of cover levels, from basic to more comprehensive options. Basic plans are generally considered a cost-effective solution for businesses.

   
   

2. Major Restorative Plans: These plans tend to bundle several treatments under one overall benefit for major restorative work, giving employees more flexibility on how to use their coverage. Like Traditional Dental Plans, most providers offer a range of cover levels, from basic to more comprehensive options. Basic plans are generally considered a cost-effective solution for businesses.

   
   

How to Set Up and Manage Your Policy Through a Broker

Setting up and managing a company dental insurance policy is typically straightforward. Once you've chosen a plan, a regulated broker can assist with the paperwork and ensure everything is finalised.

Once the policy is set up, the Group Administrator (the chosen representative for the company to manage the policy) will typically be able to manage it through an online portal. This platform allows them to add or remove employees, access important documents, and update policy details. If your chosen provider doesn’t offer an online portal, a broker can usually assist with the administration on your behalf. Employees will generally receive their own access to the portal or website, where they can register, login, view their benefits and limits, and submit claims online.

Making a Claim

Making a claim at a registered UK dentist can typically be completed in just a few steps:

1. If you're unsure whether your treatment is eligible, check your policy documents first or contact the insurer before visiting the dentist to confirm.

   
   

2. Visit the dentist and pay for your eligible treatment.

   
   

3. Obtain an itemised receipt from the dentist.

   
   

4. Login to your member portal or website, complete the claims form, and upload a clear photo of the itemised receipt.

   
   

Once the claim is processed and approved, the eligible amount will be transferred to your nominated bank account, up to the agreed limits of your policy.

Conclusion

Corporate dental insurance can be a valuable benefit for businesses looking to offer support for employees' dental care needs. These policies can complement private medical insurance (PMI) and provide employees with greater access to dental care. Offering a comprehensive benefits package may also help businesses attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market.

If your company already offers dental insurance but hasn’t reviewed it in the past couple of years, it might be time for a review to ensure the plan still meets your needs. If you don’t yet offer dental cover, consider speaking with a regulated broker to explore your options.

Disclaimers:

Disclaimer 1: The information provided in this article is accurate as of April 13, 2025. However, all details are subject to change in the future based on updates to insurer terms, market conditions, or regulatory changes. For the most up-to-date information, please contact a broker or your insurer directly.

Disclaimer 2: The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as specific advice for any individual insurer or policy. For details regarding your specific policy, always refer to your insurer’s policy documents or contact a broker or your insurer directly for personalised assistance.