How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Updated On May 03, 2021
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Good dental treatment that provides long term solutions, can be hard to find and expensive to avail of. At the same time, getting the right dental work done is important. Dental problems not only lead to pain and discomfort but also get in the way of your overall health due to problems in eating, drinking and such. Dental insurance comes in handy when tackling these problems.
What is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance provides cover for dental treatments and procedures, prescribed by a certified medical practitioner. They can be preventative measures as well as post-diagnosis work. It does not include any cosmetic dental surgeries and procedures. All procedures and treatments like root canal extractions, tooth extractions and even dentures are covered under dental insurance.
Availability of Dental Insurance in India With Different Plans
Dental insurance is seldom available as a standalone policy. Mostly, it can be found as a part of the cover of some other general insurance policies, or under a health insurance policy. The following are some of the types of insurance that provide oral and dental care as a part of their cover.
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Personal Accident Cover
Some Personal Accident Covers provide oral and dental care. It is usually sufficient enough for most dental care treatments and procedures. However, it is mostly limited to cover for oral care required due to any occurrence of any personal accident. -
Preventative Healthcare Policies
Preventative Healthcare Policies often provide covers for consultation and regular check-ups in relation to oral care and dental problems. These policies are best for policyholders who require continuous or long-term dental treatment. -
Individual Health Insurance Policies
Most Individual Health Insurance Policies cover dental problems either under their basic plan or under their additional benefits. Some of them also offer dental care riders wherein the policyholder has to pay a separate premium. -
Surgery and Critical Illness Policies
Some Surgery and Critical Illness Policies provide dental procedures and surgeries as a part of their cover. They mostly cater to critical dental surgeries prescribed by a medical practitioner or a dentist.
Health Insurance Policies Which Provide Dental Insurance
There are also some health insurance policies that offer dental insurance as a part of their cover. The following are some such health insurance policies.
| Health Insurance Plan | Claim Settlement Ratio (for the Financial Year 2019) |
| TATA AIG Premier Medicare | 78.93% |
| HDFC Ergo Easy Health Plan | 83.66% |
| Digit Health Care Plus Plan | 83.08% |
| SBI Life Smart Insurance Plan | 95.03% |
Contingencies Covered By a Dental Insurance Plan
The following are some of the most common contingencies that are covered by dental insurance. In general, most cosmetic procedures such as jaw alignment, are excluded from the cover of dental insurance.
- Dental X-Rays
- Dental Surgeries
- Dental Implants
- Root Canal Treatment
- Oral Health Check-ups
- Tooth Filling
- Teeth Extraction
- Oral Cyst Treatment and Surgery
Some dental insurances also provide benefits and covers for post-treatment care and follow-up check-ups. However, this does not extend to check-ups for retainers, cleaning and such, in the case of braces. This is because braces are largely considered to fall under cosmetic dental procedures.
Also Read: Dental Insurance: Coverage, Claims and Exclusions
Best Health Insurance Plan for Dental Treatment
Do Mediclaims Include Dental Insurance?
Yes, many Medicalims include dental insurance under their cover. It is best to consult the insurance provider and go through the policy document to know the exact benefits that can be availed of.
Conclusion
Dental insurance is very important and can provide comprehensive protection for treatments, procedures, and even follow-up care. Oral hygiene is of the utmost importance, not only in terms of aesthetics but also for health purposes. Therefore, it is always advisable to avail of dental insurance.
Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
