
As a dental nurse, you're likely aware of the importance of having the right indemnity insurance in place to protect yourself and your career. There are several options available, including professional indemnity insurance and personal indemnity insurance.
Professional indemnity insurance is a must-have for dental nurses, with many employers requiring it as a condition of employment. According to the article, 75% of dental employers require their staff to have professional indemnity insurance.
Having the right insurance in place can give you peace of mind and financial protection in the event of a claim. With professional indemnity insurance, you can cover yourself for up to £1 million in the event of a claim, as mentioned in the article.
It's worth noting that some insurance providers offer additional benefits, such as access to a 24/7 helpline and online support.
Expand your knowledge: About Indemnity Health Insurance Policies
Accidents and Insurance
Accidents can happen in the dental practice, and it's essential to have the right insurance in place to protect yourself and your employer. Indemnity covers you when accidents occur, and it's a professional requirement for all dental registrants.

As a dental nurse, you are vicariously liable for the acts of your employer, including the employer's insurance policy. This means you need to ensure you have the right level of indemnity cover, even if your practice has its own insurance policy.
If you're injured by a hot instrument, for example, you could be entitled to compensation, and your employer would be liable to pay it. Without indemnity, your employer could face huge costs in legal fees and compensation.
You need to discuss with your practice manager what level of cover their insurance affords you, as some practice policies may not include cover for GDC disciplinary meetings. It's your responsibility to ensure you have the right level of indemnity cover, even if your practice manager makes a mistake.
At the very least, you need to have a tailored policy that meets the GDC requirements, which Park Insurance can help you with.
On a similar theme: Do You Need Dental Insurance to See a Dentist
Understanding Coverage

You need to ensure that your dental nurse indemnity insurance meets the minimum requirements set by the GDC, which includes having indemnity cover for dental nurses.
The GDC requires that everyone in the dental team, including nurses, confirm that indemnity cover is in place for any working periods.
To choose the right level of coverage, consider the nature of your role, such as complex responsibilities and high-risk procedures, as well as the work environment and patient demographic.
The GDC does not state a specific level of indemnity cover that dental nurses should take out, but it's common for a policy to include between £1 million and £5 million in liability cover.
A dental nurse indemnity insurance policy typically offers coverage for legal liabilities arising from claims of malpractice or professional negligence, as well as public liability insurance.
The policy may also include additional cover for areas like performing impressions and developing radiographs, and may offer a limit of up to £1 million to £5 million as standard.
If this caught your attention, see: Travel Nurse Health Insurance between Assignments

Some policies, like the one offered by Park Insurance, provide specialist insurance underwritten by Hiscox and have dedicated qualified den-to-legal advisors who are also practising dentists.
A dental nurse indemnity insurance policy can provide peace of mind, knowing that you're protected in case a patient files a claim related to the care or treatment you provided.
Here are some key benefits of a dental nurse indemnity insurance policy:
- Indemnity covers up to a limit of £1m to £5m as standard
- Specialist insurance underwritten by Hiscox
- Dedicated qualified den-to-legal advisors who are also practising dentists
- Option to cover all duties as a dental nurse, including additional cover
- Option for free retroactive cover
- Personal insurance certificate for proof of cover
This means that you'll have protection against medical malpractice, negligence during treatments, and advice given to patients, as well as public liability insurance.
Insurance Options and Considerations
As a dental nurse, it's essential to consider your insurance options carefully to ensure you're adequately protected.
You'll need to check if your BDA cover provides indemnity for dental nurses, as some policies may not include this coverage.
The GDC requires that all dental team members, including nurses, have indemnity cover in place for working periods.
To confirm, check your BDA policy to see if it includes indemnity for dental nurses.
For your interest: Professional Indemnity Insurance Rates

If not, you may need to purchase a separate policy or consider joining the BDA as an Expert member, which includes indemnity cover for dental nurses at no additional cost.
You can also explore other insurance options, such as Insync, which offers online quotes and premiums starting from £57.90 (inc. IPT).
Insync's team of specialist brokers can help you set up cover for all dental professionals, including dentists, hygienists, and orthodontists.
Before selecting a policy, consider the following factors:
- Regulatory Requirements: Ensure your coverage meets the minimum requirements set by the GDC.
- Scope of Practice: Consider the nature of your role and the level of complexity involved.
- Work Environment: If you work in multiple practices or both private and NHS sectors, you'll need a policy that reflects this.
- Patient Demographic: Consider the age, health status, and demographic of the patients you serve.
Making Claims
As a dental nurse, you'll be making claims for indemnity insurance if you're involved in a patient's treatment and something goes wrong.
You'll need to have a good understanding of what's covered under your policy, including any exclusions or limitations.
Dental nurse indemnity insurance policies typically have a minimum excess, which is the amount you'll need to pay towards each claim.
The excess can vary depending on the policy and provider, but it's usually a fixed amount.
Intriguing read: Protection and Indemnity P&i Insurance
If you're making a claim, you'll need to provide detailed information about the incident, including the patient's medical history and any relevant documentation.
Your insurer will then review the claim and decide whether to pay out.
The claims process can be lengthy, so it's essential to keep accurate records and seek advice from your insurer if you're unsure about anything.
Intriguing read: What Is an Insurance Claim
Sources
- https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/dental-nurse-indemnity-what-you-need-to-know/
- https://dental.allmedpro.co.uk/news-and-insights/dental-nurses-indemnity-cover/
- https://insyncinsurance.co.uk/knowledge-centre/articles/why-do-dental-nurses-need-indemnity-insurance/
- https://parkinsurance.co.uk/services/commercial-insurance/dental-nurse-indemnity-insurance/
- https://www.professionalinsuranceagents.co.uk/insurance-dental-nurses.php
Featured Images: pexels.com