Why Dental Health Matters for Students in South Africa

Student life brings unique pressures: long study hours, stressful deadlines, and tight budgets. Dental health is often overlooked, yet untreated dental issues can impact academic performance, general health, and confidence. Ensuring access to essential dentistry-like check-ups, fillings, and preventative care-means fewer disruptions and better long-term outcomes. For South African students, finding dental cover that is affordable and practical is especially crucial.

Common Dental Needs Among Students

• Routine check-ups and cleaning to prevent cavities
• Basic fillings and extractions for unexpected dental problems
• Emergency pain relief or trauma care, such as for sports injuries
• Coverage for acute oral infections

Access to basic dentistry is not just about routine check-ups but timely solutions in emergencies. With rising healthcare costs in South Africa, out-of-pocket dental fees can be barriers to needed care. That’s where dental cover, as part of a day-to-day health plan, fits into a student’s wellness toolkit.

How Student Dental Cover Works

Dental benefits are commonly packaged within day-to-day health plans. For instance, Affinity Health’s Day-to-Day Plan features dental benefits such as basic fillings, consultations, and extractions. Students can utilise an extensive national provider network, which means care is accessible whether you are studying in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or smaller towns. To see more details, visit the Day-to-Day Plan overview.

What’s Included in Basic Dentistry Cover?

• Consultations with participating dental professionals
• Standard fillings, extractions, and scale-and-polish
• Pain management for acute dental issues

Student Access: Finding an Affordable Dentist

Using the provider network enables students to visit recognised dental professionals without large upfront payments. To locate a participating dentist near your campus or residence, use the Find a Provider tool.

How to Maximise Your Dental Benefits as a Student

To get the most value from dental cover:

• Schedule annual check-ups to catch issues early and avoid costly emergencies.
• Use the network provider list to avoid excess charges or co-payments.
• Familiarise yourself with waiting periods-some dental benefits may have a 3-month or 12-month wait before specific treatments are covered.
• Keep your health plan card handy for fast access during dental visits.

Comparing Student Dentistry Cover: What Sets Affordable Plans Apart?

*As published for Affinity Health’s Standard Range Day-to-Day Plan. Plans are designed so that students can choose budget-friendly coverage suited to their needs.

Key Considerations for Students on Dental Cover

• Review coverage annual maximums for basic dental procedures.
• Understand that complex work, like root canals or crowns, may not be included in basic plans.
• Consider pairing dental cover with other day-to-day benefits, such as GP visits and acute medicines, to maximise value.

To explore different plan options, see the Combined Plan option for students requiring broader cover, or visit Affinity Health’s homepage for a full overview of essential medical insurance policies tailored to the South African market.

Sources

• Affinity Health - Day-to-Day Cover
• Affinity Health - Rates and Premiums
• Affinity Health - FInd a Provider
• World Health Organization - Oral Health Factsheet
• Statistics South Africa - Mid-year population estimates, June 2023