Essential Insurance For Dentists

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Like dentists all over the world, when it comes to insurance for dentists in the United Kingdom, there are special challenges that this professional must face when it comes to purchasing insurance. Concerns run from office contents, employers' liability to public and product liability and loss of income because of an unforeseen event. There are many insurance companies in the UK that provide insurance packages specifically designed for dentists. Covers usually includes public and employers' liability, contents of office, business interruption and legal expenses pertaining to claims.

In the UK, there are different dental specialties ranging from General Dentistry to Endodontics, Orthodontics, Peridontists and Prosthodontics. Most of these dentists provide excellent service and are well educated in their trade. Unfortunately, there are cases when a complaint is made against a dentist and some see that complaints are on the rise. This could be due to the rising fees of dentists. Complaints include poor treatment, excessive fees, broken bridges and crowns and root canal problems.

Public Liability Insurance

Because there does seem to be a rising rate of claims against dentists, insurance coverage although optional is essential. Public Liability Insurance in particular is important  because members of the public are constantly in and out of a dentist's office, whether accompanying a patient, selling a product or simply making an inquiry.

Public Liability Insurance cover provides protection against claims of injury or property damage that are connected to the dentist or the practice. For example, let us imagine that a salesman or the mother of a patient slips and falls because of tripping on an article left on the waiting room floor; because this accident occurred in the office waiting room, a Public Liability Claim can certainly be filed. Public Liability Insurance will probably cover compensation including earnings lost, lost earnings that could occur in the future and any damaged the claimant is awarded. It will also likely cover legal fees incurred defending the claim, as well as the legal cost of the claimant should the dentist is found to be at fault. Most dentists opt for cover between £1m and £5m. Although cover options should always be discussed with an insurance agent.

Employers' Liability Insurance

Dentists almost always have a staff consisting of a dental hygienist, dental assistant, technicians and clerical staff. As an employer, a dentist is always responsible for their employee's safety and health whilst they are employed. If one or more employees should suffer an injury or become ill whilst working, compensation claims can be filed if the employee(s) feels that the dentist is at fault for the injury or illness. Employers' Liability Insurance will likely help cover claims that a dentist could be legally liable for. Employers' Liability Insurance cover full-time, part-time and locum employees and is mandatory under the Employers' Liability Act of 1969 (ELCA) for at least £5m. Some insurance companies offer combined packages for Public and Employers' Liability Insurance, which makes for more competitive quotes. A certificate is issued for Employers' Liability Insurance and must be displayed where all employees can read it. Keep in mind, that even if an employee is no longer working for you but claims he fell ill due to employment under you, you will still be liable for cover if you are found responsible.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional Indemnity Insurance or "Malpractice Insurance" covers a claim made against a dentist because of something that happened as a direct result of the way he practices his profession. For example, a dentist may prescribe a pain medication following a root canal or surgery that makes a patient very ill. The patient files a claim against the dentist for prescribing this medication.

Some may confuse Public Liability Insurance with Professional Indemnity Insurance, but they are different. Public Liability would likely cover an occurrence whilst the patient was in the dentist's premises. For example, a mom of a patient trips and falls because of an object on the waiting room floor. The third party does not have to be a patient with Public Liability; whereas, a patient is the only party able to file a Professional Indemnity claim. Typical Professional Indemnity cover is £1,000,000 or £2,000,000 per claim.

Office Content and Building Insurance

Running a dental office may seem daunting because there are so many concerns regarding business equipment like computers and the medical devices that a dentist needs to carry out his trade. Office Content Insurance typically covers computer equipment, high tech, electronic equipment, books, documents, and employees' possessions.

For dentists who own the building that is home to the dental surgery, Building Insurance will most likely cover fires, storms, floods, etc. that damage the fabric of your building. This cover will probably allow you to get your practice up and running in a short period of time.

Surgery Insurance Packages

There are many insurance companies in the UK that office a package that is designed for people in the medical profession including dentists. It is generally referred to as a Surgery Insurance Package. An insurance agent will work with you to put together a package that is flexible and adaptable to your dental practice. For example, a dentists' package may include Public Liability, Employers' Liability and Professional Indemnity, as well as Building and Content Insurance and cover for legal expenses. Other features can be discussed with your insurance agent and added if desired. An example of other features could include Business Interruption, terrorism cover and employee theft cover.

As part of the Surgery Insurance Package, many companies offer an All Risk Package, which includes a flexible cover for protection against damages or loss to surgery equipment occurring outside of the office premises. In some cases, this option will extend to damages sustained to surgery property whilst a dentist was practicing overseas. Check with your insurance agent for details. Most All Risk policies cover repair work on any item insured or replacement at current value.

For more details about insurance for dentists and the types of insurance and packages available, content an insurance agent who specialises in dental surgery by clinking one of the links below.

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