If you’re a Practice Manager, Principal Dentist or Business Manager for your Dental Practice, you might not realise how much your Dental Practice Insurance policies act as a safety net for a wide range of risks…until you need to make a claim.
The variation, severity and frequency of claims can shift over time, just like broader industry trends. Topical matters, such as the global use of AI and new NHS regulations, can all affect the types of risks that are likely to impact your Dental Practice in the future.
With 2025 coming to a close, now is an ideal time to review current risks that are affecting practices the most whilst maintaining appropriate insurance cover that keeps up with industry trends. As the British Dental Association’s preferred insurance provider1, we have reflected on common events we have been notified of this year that are affecting dental practices the most.
Long-term Absence of Staff
Where short-term absences typically last up to a week, long-term absence can include staff away from work for 4 weeks and longer. With the tremendous burden currently facing both private and NHS dentists, it is no surprise that alongside the increase in short-term absence, long-term absence has also increased.
According to an article published by Dentistry earlier this year, despite the growing absence rate “47% [of dental professionals] said there would be no one to cover their absence” 2. And, whilst reforms are currently being discussed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of dental professionals, practices should seek extra measures of protection to maintain smooth operations.
Extended absences are likely to leave a financial gap in the business’s turnover, with the impact often falling on the Dental Owner or Practice Manager with the onus of resourcing the difference. Our Locum Insurance policy is unlike others in the market, where practices may be offered a pre-agreed benefit in the event of an unforeseen absence. With no requirement for a receipt, the practice can spend this weekly benefit how they see fit, whether hiring an external Locum or arranging staff-overtime.
Escape of Water
Another event we have been notified of frequently this year from dental practices, has been escape of water. The impact of an escape of water can range from a minor leak to a full business closure, which is why we encourage dental practices to consider what policies they have in place in the event of making a claim.
The policy covering an escape of water claim will vary depending on your practice’s unique circumstances and event itself, but it may fall under your:
- Business Interruption
- Buildings Insurance
- Property Owners Insurance
- Contents Insurance
You may have other policies in place in the event this causes bodily injury or harm to either an employee or member of the public. Consider what protection you have in place for an event such as this and if you are ever unsure, speak to an expert insurance adviser.
Dissatisfied Treatment
Dental negligence can appear in all shapes and sizes when a patient has felt dissatisfied with their treatment, from dental injury to failure to diagnose. Following trends seen in the United States, dentists are growing concerned about the growing litigious activity based in the UK especially since “according to the Dental Complaints Service, the number of new cases open more than doubled from 2023 to 2024” 3.
A malpractice claim made against a healthcare professional can be both financially and professionally devastating. If you need assistance with your Dental Malpractice and Indemnity insurance policies, speak to a member of our teams to see where we can provide support. This can also be extended to those who have been refused cover but wish to continue their work.
Employee Negligence
Similarly, there has been a rise in employee litigious activity, with around “72% of UK employers reporting an increase in the number of legal cases over the past 5 years” 4.
As a key-decision maker within a Dental Practice, your various day-to-day activities will range anywhere from tending to patients, to ensuring the practice meets GDPR regulations or even managing employment disputes. All of which will expose you to different risks that could influence a claim being made against you. Dental Practice Owners and Managers are now seeking additional forms of protection which might include a Management Liability policy.
Breach of Confidentiality
Where it is still not a requirement for healthcare organisations to hold a Cyber Liability Insurance policy, patient claims when there has been a breach of confidentiality can be very costly for dental practices, regardless of size.
Sensitive patient data makes dental practices an ideal target to cyber crime and as we move into a digital age it can mean that this data must be appropriately secured. Where there is the possibility of potential cybercrime or even the possibility of human error when handling patient data, we are encouraging dental practices to review what Cyber Liability policies they have in place.
Whilst this does not cover all the the claims we have seen this year, reflecting on current claiming trends allows us to provide more tailored advice to our clients. If you would like to speak to a specialised insurance adviser regarding a policy from this list, you can:
Give us a call
Find out more
- https://www.bda.org/advice/finances-pensions-and-indemnity/bda-partners/insurance-lloyd-whyte/
- https://dentistry.co.uk/2025/06/24/two-thirds-of-dental-professionals-feel-guilt-over-mental-health-absences/
- https://dentallaw.co.uk/news/dental-malpractice-statistics-in-2025/
- https://cmpsolutions.com/why-are-employees-getting-more-litigious/
