LHF Healthplan could reduce the pain of visiting the dentist

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LHF Healthplan could reduce the pain of visiting the dentist

Thu 4th May 2006

LHF Healthplan has today announced that more than 66,000 people in the Sheffield area do not have a dentist and are therefore at risk from such maladies as tooth decay, gum disease and even oral cancer.

The company also reports that, of those people that are registered with an NHS dentist, 72 per cent are concerned that their dentist may go private and deprive them of NHS treatment.

Furthermore, a newly implemented cost structure could mean that those with health service dentists could pay more for common treatments such as check ups and fillings.

Jane Fenwick, director of marketing for LHF Healthplan, said: "Cost is still a worry for those that do have access to a dentist and it's understandable that 22 per cent of people tend to steer clear of the dentist if they feel nothing is wrong for fear of the bills."

The LHF Healthplan could soften the pain of a trip to the dentist, the company claims, as it can offer up to £150 per year for dental treatments.

Customers can pay amounts starting at £2.73 per week for this provision, as well as for other treatments including physiotherapy and optical therapies.

LHF covered around 220,000 customers as of December 2005 and Simplyhealth Access, LHF's parent company, covers some 2.25 million people.