Health Shield has revealed dental claims on its health cash plans have risen 18.2% on last year.
It added the average value of these dental claims amounted to nearly £50 per treatment.
The health cash plan provider claimed one of the reasons for this trend is that claims for urgent dental procedures have doubled, potentially as a result of people not being able to go to their regular check-ups over the past two years since the pandemic began and the financial pressures felt by people with the rising cost of living.
While the cost of dental care has also risen in the last year as dentists have passed on PPE costs to their patients, Health Shield added it has absorbed these costs on behalf of its members.
Research from independent statutory body Healthwatch and Association of Dental Groups released this month, indicates patients are feeling pressured to pay privately when booking their dental appointment amid an exodus of NHS dentists.
Jennie Doyle, head of marketing at Health Shield, (pictured) said: “Many companies offer health cash plans to their employees which include dental care, and while they may still have to join waiting lists to see a dentist in the current climate, they still hold much value as claims for treatment have been on the rise. Health cash plans help to incentivise employees to focus on their health by removing cost as a barrier to NHS or private dental treatment, ensuring that any niggles don’t turn to nightmares.
“Previously we attributed the rising claims to more dental work being required after a period of inability to access dental services,” she said.
“However, it could also be attributed to inflation; as more employees who are feeling a financial pinch with the rising costs of living, especially those on lower incomes, look for more ways to save money and turn to their health cash plans.”
Doyle added the volume of claims for members’ dependents and children has increased by nearly 8%.
“Around one in five claims were for dependents last year,” she added.
“It’s great to see that health cash plans are increasingly being used to not only keep the member in the best of health, but also their family.”