A dental plan spreads the cost of routine care across the year, so your check-ups and hygiene visits come out of one monthly payment instead of a bill at reception. At Chelmsford Dental Practice there are two: Essential Smiles at £9.99 a month and Diamond Smiles at £19.99 a month, both without an annual contract.
Here is exactly what each plan includes, what it works out at over a year, and how to decide between them.
What Is a Dental Plan, and How Does It Work?
A dental plan, sometimes called a dental membership or a dental payment plan, is a monthly subscription that covers your routine appointments and reduces the cost of any further treatment.
It is not insurance. There is nothing to claim back and no excess to pay. You pay a fixed amount each month, the appointments listed in your plan are included, and anything beyond them is charged at a discounted rate.
Essential Smiles: £9.99 a Month
Essential Smiles covers what most healthy mouths need through the year: one examination, one hygiene appointment, and a discount on anything else. It works out at around 33p a day.
- 1 dental examination a year, currently worth £45
- 1 hygiene appointment a year, currently worth £121
- 10% off routine dental treatment
- 10% off cosmetic dental treatment
Over a year, Essential Smiles comes to £119.88. Booked separately at our current prices, the same examination and hygiene appointment come to £166. The 10% discounts on further treatment sit on top of that.
Diamond Smiles: £19.99 a Month
Diamond Smiles is the plan for patients who need more hygiene care through the year, or who want an emergency appointment covered. It works out at around 66p a day.
- 1 dental examination a year, currently worth £45
- 2 hygiene appointments a year, currently worth £242
- A complimentary emergency appointment
- 10% off routine dental treatment
- 10% off cosmetic dental treatment
Over a year, Diamond Smiles comes to £239.88, against £287 for the same examination and two hygiene appointments booked one by one. The emergency appointment and the 10% discounts are on top.
Essential or Diamond: Which Plan Suits You?
| Essential Smiles | Diamond Smiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | £9.99 | £19.99 |
| Over a year | £119.88 | £239.88 |
| Dental examinations | 1 a year | 1 a year |
| Hygiene appointments | 1 a year | 2 a year |
| Emergency appointment | Not included | Complimentary |
| Routine and cosmetic treatment | 10% off | 10% off |
| Annual contract | No | No |
- Essential Smiles suits you if your gums are healthy, one hygiene visit a year keeps things in order, and you mainly want your routine care in one predictable payment.
- Diamond Smiles suits you if you have had gum problems, you wear a brace or a retainer, you smoke, or coffee, tea and red wine stain your teeth quickly.
If you are unsure, the honest answer is that it comes down to how often your dentist recommends you see the hygienist. Ask at your next examination, or call us on 01245 822 892 and we will talk it through.
What the Plans Do Not Cover
Both plans cover the appointments listed above and give you 10% off eligible treatment. They are not insurance, and they do not make everything free.
Fillings, crowns, implants, whitening, orthodontics including Invisalign, and specialist treatment are charged at the discounted rate rather than included, and all treatment remains subject to clinical assessment, eligibility and the full membership terms. Worth reading those terms before you join, particularly the sections on eligibility and exclusions.
How to Join a Plan
- Compare the inclusions and decide how much hygiene care you want through the year.
- Read the membership terms, including eligibility, exclusions and how notice works.
- Join online through the secure sign-up on our Patient Plans page, or call us and we will do it with you.
Dental Plan Questions, Answered
Is a dental plan worth it?
It depends on how often you actually attend. If you keep your examination and your hygiene appointments, both plans cost less over a year than paying for those same appointments one by one, and the 10% discount applies to anything further. If you rarely attend, paying as you go may suit you better.
How is the daily figure worked out?
We multiply the monthly price by 12, divide the annual total by 365, and round to the nearest penny. That gives around 33p a day for Essential Smiles and around 66p a day for Diamond Smiles.
Do the plans cover every treatment?
No. They include the appointments listed and a 10% discount on eligible routine and cosmetic treatment. Everything else stays subject to clinical assessment, eligibility and the membership terms.
Is there an annual contract?
No. Neither plan ties you into a year. The membership terms set out how notice and cancellation work.
Can I speak to someone before joining?
Yes. Call our team on 01245 822 892 and we will happily explain both options.
Join a Plan From £9.99 a Month
Pick Essential Smiles or Diamond Smiles and sign up online in a few minutes.