Accessing NHS dental services in the UK is becoming increasingly difficult and 90% of dentists are no longer taking on new adult patients. Employees often ask whether dental care is covered by Group Health Insurance, so it’s important for employers to understand whether or not Health Insurance provides cover for dental treatment. Why is Dental Health Important? Looking after teeth and gums is not only beneficial for a beaming smile: dental health has close links to general health. Tooth decay, gum disease and oral infections can all lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease and stroke. Regular check-ups enable a dentist to spot potential problems and recommend a programme of treatment before they escalate. Dentists are also able to spot early signs of mouth cancer, which causes more deaths in the UK every year than road traffic accidents. Is Dental Covered with My Health Insurance Policy?Most health insurers don’t cover dental treatment as part of their standard offering, but some will often provide an optional extra that covers dental costs. For example, some providers might offer limited cover for major dental treatments such as root canals or wisdom tooth extraction. YuLife offers separate Group Health and Group Dental Insurance policies, both in partnership with Bupa.What is Dental Insurance and How Does it Work?Dental Insurance enables your employees to claim back the cost of any treatment they receive that is covered by the policy. Policies usually include:Routine check-ups, scale and polish, and fillingsMajor restorative treatmentEmergency treatmentDental injuriesOral cancer diagnosis and treatmentGroup Dental Insurance from YuLife, provides 5 levels of cover so you can tailor provision depending on the size and requirements of your business. Your employees can select any dentist in the UK, NHS or private so they can continue seeing their existing dentist if they want to, and there is also an option to add partners and children. Dental Insurance through YuLife also gives your people access to more than 360 Bupa dental practices across the UK and a free Oral HealthLine for quick answers to dental worries. And if you can’t or don’t want to visit a dentist face to face, you can choose to book a virtual oral health assessment and claim the costs back in line with your benefit allowances.Does Dental Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions? Most insurers won’t provide cover for pre-existing conditions — for example, root canal surgery which then required further treatment after the start of the policy would usually not be included in the cover.Each insurer defines pre-existing conditions differently, though, so it’s important that employers understand the terms and conditions of the policy and check with the insurer if there are any doubts. Unusually, Group Dental Insurance from YuLife covers most pre-existing or pre-planned treatments (apart from those to correct a condition or pre-existing gap), although this doesn’t include oral cancer that was diagnosed, or for which someone had symptoms or investigations before the cover start date.Are There Exclusions to YuLife’s Dental Cover?While YuLife’s dental cover is very comprehensive, there are certain exclusions you should be aware of. To be eligible for cover, the dental treatment must be medically necessary, so composite veneers, for example, would be viewed as a cosmetic procedure and excluded from the policy, as would teeth whitening procedures. As an employer, it’s very important that you clearly communicate these exclusions to your team to avoid any confusion.To find out more, read our detailed guide on understanding Health Insurance exclusions.Cost Considerations for EmployersProviding dental coverage through YuLife with Bupa’s policies can have significant benefits for both employers and employees. The cost depends on several factors, such as the number of employees you want to cover and the level of cover you choose.Speak to our team to find out more.So does Group Health Insurance cover dental treatment? The answer is, no, generally not. But choosing a dedicated Group Dental Insurance plan with YuLife, through our partnership with Bupa, means you can offer your people quick access to a dentist and cashback on their treatment costs. Supporting the health and wellbeing of your employees is not only beneficial to them, but also good for your business in terms of minimising staff absences and fostering a happy workplace — and that’s something for everyone to smile about. About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work?Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for free today.