Most of us will visit our dentists once a year for a check-up. Should our cats and dogs have the same kind of pet dental care? And will pet insurance cover these costs?
Did you know that a number of dental issues that can happen to humans, can also happen to our pets? Things like gum disease, mouth ulcers and cavities are all health concerns that affect both animals and humans.
When bacteria accumulate in your precious pet’s mouth, they can suffer from receding gums, swollen gums or bad breath which could lead to issues with chewing and eating.
Issues like gum disease can lead to a number of other health concerns, which are both costly to treat and can threaten the health of your furry member of the family if left untreated.
Why pet dental care is important
Many pet parents will only seek professional help when they notice bad breath or rotting teeth in their pet’s mouth. However, at this stage, the gum disease has already progressed to something more serious.
Which is why regular dental care should form an important part of your pet’s preventive healthcare plan. Finding the right pet dental insurance for your cat or dog can help ease the financial stress of affording veterinary care.
Related: 6 Signs of Gum Disease in Dogs & Cats
How much does dental care for my pet cost?
For a basic brush, scale and polish this can cost anywhere between R1 000 and R1 500 or more.
If your pet needs to have a tooth removed, then this will have to be booked in advance and it will require an anaesthetic. The cost of tooth removal will depend on the size and age of your pet. Older pets need special care and larger dogs typically require more sedation.
The cost of tooth removal is roughly R2 500, this includes the anaesthetic costs, as well as the scaling and polishing. Vets typically charge an additional R50 per tooth that is removed.
Does pet insurance cover dental care costs?
It really depends on the insurer you choose. Some pet insurers don’t include cover for pet dental care costs, but others, like Oneplan Pet Insurance, include routine care in their plans, which covers dental care.
By choosing a preventive pet healthcare plan, you can take your dog or cat to the vet for routine checkups (which include pet dental care) and not have to worry about the high out-of-pocket expenses.
How does claiming work for dental care?
If you’re with Oneplan, they front you with the cash you need BEFORE you see the vet. How they do this is with their unique Oneplan Claim Card. This is a transactional card you receive after you purchase a pet insurance plan with Oneplan.
Before visiting the vet, simply log into your Oneplan App on your phone and preload your claim. They will then transfer the funds needed for your vet visit (according to your chosen plan’s limits) onto your Claim Card. You can then swipe this card at your vet’s offices, the same way you would use a debit card.
Read this: How to Calm Your Dog at the Vet: 7 Simple Tips
Oneplan also lets you go to ANY vet of your choice. This means they do not limit you to a specified network of vets so Fluffy can keep seeing the vet they know and love!
Tell me more about pet dental care cover and pet insurance
As previously mentioned, Oneplan includes cover for dentist visits under vet visits and routine care. So, if you have their Classic Plan or Super Plan, these benefits are included in your monthly premium cost.
Pet Classic Plan
- From R280 per month
- Visit to vet
- Up to R1 400 per visit; up to R5 600 per annum
- Includes basic dental procedures
- Routine Care
- R800 per annum
- Includes teeth scaling and polishing
Pet Super Plan
- From R430 per month
- Visit to vet
- Up to R1 650 per visit; up to R6 600 per annum
- Includes basic dental procedures
- Routine Care
- R900 per annum
- Includes teeth scaling and polishing
The final bark
Pet insurance that includes cover for dental procedures and oral healthcare will encourage regular vet visits to ensure your pet’s mouth is in good health.
Not only will your pet’s breath smell great and their oral health will significantly improve, but you can breathe a sigh of relief in knowing your budget does not have to take a knock when you least expect it as a result of expensive vet bills related to dental procedures.
Unlike other insurers, Oneplan Pet Insurance includes cover for vet visits and routine healthcare in their Classic and Super Plans at no additional cost. These benefits are included in your monthly premium. Routine healthcare benefits such as these encourage you to take your pet to the vet for regular check-ups which will allow your vet to prevent, detect and treat any health concerns.
Read next: Routine Vet Care for Dogs: 11 Regular Checks Your Pup Needs
