If you’re a dental professional, looking after patients comes first. However, it’s just as important to ensure you’re taking care of yourself, too. One of the key ways to do that is by arranging the right dental indemnity cover, so you’re safeguarded against dental malpractice claims.
It’s not always the most straightforward topic, with numerous jargon terms and various policy types to consider. To help cut through the noise, here are five things worth checking before you commit to a policy.
Dental Indemnity: What You Need To Review
1. Check It’s GDC Compliant
The General Dental Council (GDC) requires every dental professional to have suitable indemnity insurance in place. In practice, that means your cover must be able to provide compensation if something goes wrong during your work.
It may sound obvious, but not all policies meet this standard, so make sure you ask the question upfront. Without GDC-compliant cover, you could be leaving both your registration and your reputation at risk.
2. Understand the Type of Policy
There are two main styles of dental indemnity:
- Occurrence-based – you’re protected for anything that happens during the time your policy is active, even if a claim is made years down the line.
- Claims-made – you’re only protected if both the incident and the claim fall within your policy period (or within any extended reporting cover you arrange).
Neither option is automatically better; it depends on your situation. Many dental hygienists and therapists prefer occurrence-based cover because of the long-term certainty it offers. Review your policy and be clear on what you’re covered for, so there are no nasty surprises in the future.
3. Look Beyond Discretionary Cover
This is an area where people can get caught out. Some providers only offer discretionary indemnity, which means they decide whether to help you when a claim arises.
A contract of insurance gives you something much stronger, a binding agreement that sets out exactly what you’re entitled to. When your professional reputation is on the line, that certainty can be invaluable.
At All Med Pro, our dental indemnity insurance is always contract certain, so you know exactly when you’re covered. We’ll go through any exclusions with you, so there are no surprises if a situation arises.
4. Make Sure It Covers What You Actually Do
Dental hygienists and therapists often have varied roles, and not every policy automatically covers every task. You face risks unique to your profession, such as improper use of dental instruments, inadequate infection control, and failure to report oral health issues, all of which need specialist insurance.
Always check that the duties you carry out are included in your cover. If you’re unsure, ask the provider to confirm in writing – it’s a small step that can prevent a major headache later on.
5. Think About the Future
It’s easy to focus on your current role, but what happens if you move jobs, take a career break, or retire? Without the right protection, you could still be exposed to claims relating to past work. That’s where run-off cover comes in, extending your protection beyond your active practice.
If a former patient then brings a complaint against you, run-off cover ensures your legal fees and any compensation doesn’t come out of your own pocket. It’s often overlooked but can make all the difference in the long run.
6. Don’t Assume Your Practice Covers You Fully
If you’re directly employed by a dental practice, you may assume you’re fully protected by the dental practice insurance they have in place. However, this can leave gaps in your cover, meaning some of your specific duties aren’t insured. If someone were to make a claim against you, you could be left footing the bill for their claim.
Specialist, dedicated insurance tailored to you and your role means nothing can slip through the cracks.
7. Check Your Financial Limits
Finally, take time to review the financial details of your dental indemnity policy to ensure you’re adequately protected. Check the limit of indemnity – the maximum amount your insurer will pay per claim – and make sure it’s sufficient for the potential risks involved in your work.
You should also confirm whether there’s an excess (the amount you’d need to contribute toward each claim) and clarify if defence costs are included within or in addition to the overall limit. Choosing financial limits that reflect the true value and risk level of your practice, rather than just the minimum required, will give you stronger, more reliable protection.
Comprehensive Dental Indemnity From All Med Pro
Arranging dental indemnity doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does deserve careful thought. By checking these areas, you’ll be in a much stronger position to protect your career and your peace of mind.
At All Med Pro, we specialise in helping dental professionals review their indemnity and find cover that’s genuinely fit for purpose. If you’re unsure about your current policy, we’d be happy to talk it through and connect you with options that meet GDC requirements.
To make sure your dental indemnity is working for you, get in touch with All Med Pro today.
