For most adults who see a dentist twice a year and a hygienist at least twice, yes: a dental plan costs less than paying for the same appointments one at a time. At The Tooth Spa in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, a family of two adults and two children on our Standard plan pays £647.76 a year for care that would cost £948 at our normal private fees. This guide shows the sums for each plan, including the cases where a plan is not the cheaper choice.
What is a dental plan?
A dental plan is a fixed monthly payment to your own dental practice that covers your routine care: check-ups, hygiene visits and X-rays. It also gives you a discount on any treatment you need. It is not insurance. You are not claiming money back from a third party, and there are no claim forms. You are spreading the cost of looking after your teeth across the year.
Our three plans at a glance
| Essential | Standard | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | £18.99 | £26.99 | £32.99 |
| Cost over a year | £227.88 | £323.88 | £395.88 |
| Check-ups with the dentist | 2 a year | 2 a year | 2 a year |
| Scale and polish | 2 a year, with the dentist at your check-up | 2 a year with the hygienist, including Airflow stain removal | 4 a year with the hygienist, including Airflow stain removal |
| Routine X-rays | Included when needed | Included when needed | Included when needed |
| Discount on treatment and emergency appointments | 10% | 20% | 20% |
| Children aged 15 and under | Included free | Included free | Included free |
Full details are on our dental plan page.
The maths for one adult
Here is what the same appointments cost if you pay for each visit at our private fees: £59 for a routine examination, £72.60 for a scale and polish with the dentist, and £143 for a scale, polish and Airflow stain removal with the hygienist.
| Plan | What is included in a year | Paying per visit | On the plan | You save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 2 examinations, 2 scale and polish with the dentist | £263.20 | £227.88 | £35.32 |
| Standard | 2 examinations, 2 hygienist visits with Airflow | £404.00 | £323.88 | £80.12 |
| Premium | 2 examinations, 4 hygienist visits with Airflow | £690.00 | £395.88 | £294.12 |
X-rays, normally £10 each, are included on every plan when your dentist needs them, so the real saving is a little higher. The treatment discount comes on top of that.
The maths for a family of four
Take two adults and two children aged 15 or under, with both adults on the Standard plan. Children are included free with an adult plan, with two check-ups a year and fluoride varnish where the dentist recommends it.
-
1Paying per visit: £948.00Examinations and hygienist visits for two adults, plus check-ups for two children.
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2On the Standard plan: £647.76Two adult plans, with the children included free.
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3You save £300.24 a yearAbout £25 a month, before any treatment discount.
| Over one year | Paying per visit | On the Standard plan |
|---|---|---|
| Two adults: 2 examinations each | £236.00 | Included |
| Two adults: 2 hygienist visits with Airflow each | £572.00 | Included |
| Two children: 2 examinations each | £140.00 | Included |
| Total | £948.00 | £647.76 |
That is a saving of £300.24 a year, or £25 a month. If both children also have fluoride varnish twice a year, at £19.80 a time, paying per visit rises to £1,027.20 and the saving to £379.44.
The discount on treatment
Routine care is predictable. Treatment is not, and this is where a plan can make the biggest difference. On the Standard and Premium plans you pay 20% less for clinically necessary treatment:
| Treatment | Private fee | Standard or Premium plan fee | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency consultation | £59 | From £47.20 | £11.80 |
| White filling | From £165 | From £132 | £33 |
| Root canal treatment | From £495 | From £396 | £99 |
| Crown | From £924 | From £739.20 | £184.80 |
One crown in a year saves more than six months of Standard plan payments. The discount on the Essential plan is 10%. See the full list on our fees page.
When a dental plan is not worth it
A plan does not suit everyone, and it is better to know that before you sign up.
If you only come once a year. One examination and one scale and polish cost less than twelve months of any plan. The plans are built around two check-ups a year.
If you would not otherwise have Airflow stain removal. Two examinations and two standard hygienist visits cost £272 a year at our private fees, which is £51.88 less than the Standard plan. In that case the plan pays for itself once you have about £260 of treatment in the year. If you rarely need treatment, the Essential plan may be the better fit.
If the treatment you want is implants or teeth straightening. The plan discount applies to clinically necessary treatment. It does not cover implant dentistry or orthodontics. Our finance options are designed for spreading the cost of those.
What a plan gives you besides the saving
A predictable bill. The same amount each month, with no large payment on the day of your check-up.
A reason to keep coming. People on a plan tend not to skip appointments they have already paid for, and regular visits mean problems are found while they are small and cheaper to fix.
Your children seen at no extra cost, which helps them get used to the dentist early.
A lower bill if something goes wrong, including emergency appointments.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about your own situation? Call us on 0113 262 5545.
Is a dental plan the same as dental insurance?
Do I have to have healthy teeth to join?
Are my children really free?
Does the plan cover emergencies?
Which plan should I choose?
How to join
There is no joining fee, and you do not need to be “dentally fit” first. All we ask is that you have had a check-up with us in the last two months, so that we know where your mouth is starting from. If you are new to the practice, a new patient consultation is the first step. Call 0113 262 5545 or contact us and the reception team will set it up.
All figures use our published fees and plan prices at the time of writing and are examples only. Your own costs depend on the care you need. This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination and advice from a dentist. Clinically reviewed by Dr Ahmer Imtiaz, Principal Dentist (GDC 272118).