Dental

In many countries dental care can be extremely expensive. Many companies do not offer their employees insurance that includes dental coverage. This is a major reason why expatriates decide to add a Dental Insurance option to their international health insurance plan.

There are two options for dental cover:

• Routine Dental Treatment
• Special Dental Treatment

Pre-existing dental conditions can usually be covered by a dental cover option, but in most cases a waiting period is enforced.

Routine Dental Treatment

An international health insurance plan that provides routine dental cover will accommodate a policyholder for regular check ups, tooth cleaning and simple dental procedures. In most cases a routine dental plan will also provide cover for emergency dental treatments and minor oral surgeries.

A Routine International Dental Insurance Plan may include the following:

• Examinations : any consultation with a qualified dentist.
• Cleaning : the removal of plaque and stains on the teeth or gum line.
• Tooth Extraction : The removal or rotten or impacted teeth.
• X - rays : An expensive procedure that takes a 360 degree photograph of the jaw and teeth that are located below the gum line.
• Root Canal : The removal and replacement of a nerve in the canal underneath a tooth.
• Local Anesthesia : The numbing of a specific location to perform a minor surgery or operation.
• Emergency dental treatment :  Any treatment received in an emergency situation that is intended o repair tooth damage caused in an accident.
• Occlusion bar : A tool that is used to stop teeth grinding.
• Prescriptions : All medicines prescribed by a qualified dentist.
• Fillings : In most cases only a tooth colored (white) filling will be allowed on teeth at the front of the mouth (anterior). When a filling is done in the back of the mouth (posterior) only silver (amalgam) filling will be allowed.

Special Dental Treatment

A special dental plan will provide more comprehensive cover than a routine plan. While a routine dental plan will provide cover for basic dental needs, but will not cover for some of the more serious medical treatments. Many international health insurance plans will give you the option to add a special dental benefit.

Special dental cover will normally include:

• Bridgework : Fixed prosthesis that replaces one or more missing teeth. Usually a bridge consists of a series of crowns.
• Repairs : Any procedure that is preformed to restore missing or broken teeth. In some cases insurance companies will consider fillings to only be restorative.
• Gingivitis : A serious gum disease. A special dental plan will cover all treatments for gingivitis.
• Root Scaling : A procedure that cleans plaque and foreign matter trapped beneath the gum line.
• Crowns : A crown is used when a tooth cannot be restored by a filling. Crowns can be fabricated from gold or porcelain. In some cases the crown can even be a temporary measure until a repair can be made.
• Dentures : Dentures are a removable prosthesis that replaces one or more teeth in the upper or lower jaw.

There are a number of options to choose from when it comes to dental cover. Our expert advisers can assist you in making an informed decision. To talk to one of our advisers or to receive a free quote, please contact us.