Third of Britons don’t go to the dentist because it’s too expensive

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As with all insurances you could opt for the DIY option – especially if your teeth are in good condition – and simply set aside the chunk of cash you’d otherwise pay in premiums every month and put it in a high-earning, easy-access current or savings account just in case. The pros include having the cash to spend elsewhere if it isn’t needed and the cons could mean having to top up the pot to cover treatment. The dentist will first inspect your teeth to work out how much treatment you’ll need in a year, before breaking it down into monthly costs. Usually, you’d expect a policy to at least cover routine NHS treatment such as check-ups and cleaning, a certain amount to cover more expensive NHS treatments such as crowns or fillings, and emergency care.