How dental cover works here
NHS dentistry covers clinically necessary treatment for a fixed banded charge (three bands covering everything from a check-up to a full course of treatment including crowns). It's not free for most adults, but it's price-capped and predictable. The catch is availability — NHS dentist places are limited in many areas, and cosmetic work like whitening or veneers isn't covered.
That's the gap private dental plans fill. Two structures dominate: capitation plans like Denplan, where you pay your existing dentist a fixed monthly fee for agreed routine care, and cash-benefit plans like Bupa or Aviva, which reimburse a percentage of treatment cost up to an annual limit and can be used with any dentist. AXA Health typically bundles dental into a broader private medical policy rather than selling it standalone.
Typical private treatment costs
| Treatment | Typical private cost |
|---|---|
| Check-up & scale/polish | £60 – £150 |
| White filling | £80 – £250 |
| Root canal | £300 – £900 |
| Crown | £450 – £1,200 |
| Single implant | £1,800 – £3,500 |
| Invisalign-style orthodontics | £2,500 – £5,500 |
NHS-banded treatment is priced separately and far lower — figures above are for private treatment.
Plans compared
| Provider | Plan type | Monthly | Annual benefit | Waiting period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bupa Dental Plan | Cash-benefit plan | £8 – £30 | £250 – £1,250 | 2–4 months by treatment tier |
| Denplan (Simplyhealth) | Capitation plan | £10 – £40 | Routine care at your own practice | Usually none for routine care |
| AXA Health | Dental add-on | £15 – £45 | £500 – £2,000 | Varies with private medical bundle |
| Aviva | Tiered plan | £10 – £35 | £400 – £1,500 | 1–4 months depending on tier |
Estimated ranges, last reviewed August 2026. Always confirm the exact premium and terms directly with the provider.
Compare nowWhat to check before you sign up
- Whether the plan is capitation (tied to your dentist) or cash-benefit (usable anywhere) — they suit different habits.
- What percentage of treatment cost is actually reimbursed above the "routine" tier.
- Whether existing conditions or ongoing treatment are excluded from day one.
- Whether a Denplan-style plan makes sense only if you already like your current dentist.