New $1-a-Day Dental Care Plan Unique to New Zealand

13 October 2014

New $1-a-Day Dental Care Plan Unique to New Zealand

Regular dental care is about to get a lot more affordable, thanks to a new one-of-a-kind payment plan launching in Auckland this November.

For many Aucklanders, the rising cost of living means regular dental care is a low priority. In fact, according to a recent Southern Cross survey, 71% of us are putting off going to the dentist purely because of cost. However, that could be about to change with the introduction of SmilePlan, a new not-for-profit dental membership plan that makes regular dental care affordable, at just $1 per day.

The annual plan offers members over $1000 worth of dental treatment each year including:
• a $100 dental allowance that can be used for any dental treatment. Members can also gift their allowance to family.
• a full dental check-up with x-rays
• a full periodontal assessment
• a hygienist clean
• full mouth panoramic x-rays
• a fluoride treatment.
• unlimited emergency assessments for members and immediate family.
• unlimited x-rays
• same-day service guarantee - which means being seen on the day if they ring before 10am.
• FREE orthodontic records and x-rays
• FREE myofunctional mouth assessment
• FREE thumb-sucking assessment
• FREE Buteyko Breathing assessment
• Access to in-house interest-free payment plans from $50 per week, and braces from $62.50 per week.

SmilePlan is not insurance, so there are no exclusions, only inclusions! Members can begin benefitting from the plan as soon as they make their first payment. Also, any benefits they do not use in one year can be carried over to the next.

The inspiration for SmilePlan came after DentalcareWest’s first ever ‘Free Dental Care Cay’ Christmas Eve 2011. Dr. Scott and his five dentists offered one day of free consultations and fillings to those struggling to afford dental care. Over 300 people turned up for the day, many of whom had slept in their cars overnight in the hopes of being seen. “Many of these people were fearful of the costs relating to basic dental care. It occurred to us that there was a need for a plan that would make regular dental care within reach for all New Zealanders,” says Dr. Scott.

SmilePlan is being launched at DentalcareWest, 190 West Coast Road in Glen Eden and Epsom Dentalcare, 19 Alpers Ave, Epsom/Newmarket and will soon be available in other practices across Auckland.

To mark the launch of SmilePlan, all new members will automatically be entered into a draw to win a $500 dental credit, with one draw every month for the first year. To sign up or to find out more, visit www.smileplan.co.nz or phone 09 818 8855.

DentalcareWest is Auckland’s second largest dental practice and has been established for 49 years. The practice is led by highly-respected and experienced dentist, Dr. Scott Waghorn. Dr. Scott introduced the "Christmas Eve Free Dental Day" initiative and has given away $100,000 worth of dental care over the past three years. He is a published author who is often sought upon to advise and speak on the business of dentistry and best practice matters.

ENDS

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