Aviva Health Insurance Dental & Optical Cover (2026): What's Included & How It Works
Does Aviva health insurance cover dental and optical costs? Quick answers, what add-ons are available, typical costs and what to do if your policy doesn't include them. Independent guide — not affiliated with Aviva.
Dental cover
Not included as standard on Aviva Healthier Solutions. Available as an optional add-on on some plans.
Optical cover
Not included as standard. Some Aviva plans offer an annual optical allowance as an add-on benefit.
In this guide
Standard Aviva Healthier Solutions health insurance does not include dental or optical cover. Both are available as optional add-ons on some Aviva plans — adding an annual allowance for routine dental treatment and an optical benefit for eye tests and glasses. Cosmetic dental and elective optical procedures are excluded. Always check your specific policy documents as cover varies by plan and employer scheme. This is general information only — not financial advice.
Does Aviva health insurance cover dental?
Standard Aviva PMI — no dental
Aviva Healthier Solutions is private medical insurance designed to cover treatment for acute medical conditions — diagnostics, surgery, cancer care and hospital stays. Dental treatment is a separate category and is not included in the core health insurance policy.
- Routine check-ups — not covered
- Fillings — not covered
- Crowns and bridges — not covered
- Emergency dental — not covered as standard
- Dental surgery in hospital — may be covered if medically necessary
Dental add-on — available on some plans
Aviva offers a dental and optical add-on on some plans that provides an annual allowance for routine dental treatment. This is not included automatically — it must be selected when setting up your policy or at renewal.
- Annual dental allowance — typical limit varies by plan
- Routine check-ups — usually included
- Hygienist visits — usually included
- Fillings — usually included up to annual limit
- Cosmetic dental — excluded
One exception — dental surgery in hospital
If you require dental surgery that is performed in a private hospital as part of treatment for a medical condition — for example, oral surgery related to a jaw condition or accident-related dental work — this may be covered under the inpatient element of your Aviva policy. This is separate from routine dental and depends on your specific plan. Always confirm with Aviva before booking any treatment.
Does Aviva health insurance cover optical?
Standard Aviva PMI — no optical
Routine optical costs — eye tests, glasses, contact lenses — are not included in standard Aviva health insurance. PMI is designed for acute medical treatment, not routine vision care.
- Routine eye test — not covered
- Glasses or contact lenses — not covered
- Laser eye surgery — not covered as standard
- Medically necessary eye surgery — may be covered under PMI
Optical add-on — available on some plans
The Aviva dental and optical add-on includes an annual optical benefit alongside dental cover. This provides a set allowance towards eye tests and prescription glasses or contact lenses each year.
- Annual eye test — usually included
- Glasses or contact lenses allowance — annual limit applies
- Elective laser eye surgery — typically excluded
- Limits vary — always check your specific plan
Medically necessary eye treatment — different rules
If you develop an acute eye condition requiring specialist treatment — such as retinal detachment, glaucoma treatment or cataract surgery — this may be covered under your standard Aviva health insurance policy as a medical condition, not as optical cover. Always confirm with Aviva and your ophthalmologist before booking. See: private cataract surgery guide.
Aviva dental & optical add-on: what it covers
Where available on your Aviva plan, the dental and optical add-on provides annual allowances for routine dental and vision care. The exact limits and terms vary by plan — always check your specific policy documents.
Routine check-up
Usually includedHygienist visits
Usually includedFillings
Usually includedCrowns & bridges
Often capped or limitedCosmetic dentistry
ExcludedDental implants
Usually excludedAnnual eye test
Usually includedGlasses / contact lenses
Annual allowanceLaser eye surgery
Typically excludedAlways check your specific plan limits
Annual dental and optical allowances on Aviva plans vary significantly. A plan might include £100/year optical and £200/year dental, or different amounts. The annual limit is the maximum Aviva will reimburse — costs above that limit are your responsibility. Always check your policy schedule for exact figures before booking treatment.
Typical private dental & optical costs in the UK (2026)
If your Aviva policy doesn't include dental or optical cover, or your annual allowance runs out, these are the typical self-pay costs you'd be looking at.
| Dental treatment | Typical private cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Routine check-up | £40 – £75 | Varies by region and practice. Private dentist prices guide |
| Scale & polish (hygienist) | £55 – £95 | Separate to check-up at most practices |
| White filling | £90 – £180 | More expensive than NHS composite |
| Root canal treatment | £300 – £600+ | Varies by number of canals |
| Crown (porcelain) | £500 – £900 | Private crown cost guide |
| Dental implant | £1,800 – £3,500+ | Dental implants guide |
| Emergency appointment | £100 – £200+ | Varies significantly by urgency |
| Optical service | Typical private cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eye test | £25 – £50 | Often free with glasses purchase at chains |
| Single vision glasses | £100 – £300+ | Wide range depending on frames and lenses |
| Varifocal glasses | £200 – £600+ | Lens complexity affects price significantly |
| Contact lenses (annual) | £150 – £400+ | Daily vs monthly affects total cost |
| Laser eye surgery | £1,500 – £3,500+ | Laser eye surgery cost guide |
Alternatives if Aviva doesn't cover your dental or optical
Dental & optical through Aviva employer schemes
If you have Aviva health insurance through your employer, dental and optical benefits may be included as part of a group scheme or flexible benefits package — even if they're not included on standard individual plans.
Check your employee benefits documentation
Employer-arranged Aviva schemes often include dental and optical as separate modules within a benefits platform. Check your HR documentation, employee benefits portal or speak to your HR team to confirm whether dental and optical are included in your specific scheme and at what limits.
P11D — dental and optical as a benefit in kind
If your employer pays for dental or optical cover as part of a health insurance scheme, this is typically treated as a benefit in kind and may have tax implications under P11D rules. Check with your employer or a tax adviser for your specific situation. See: health insurance P11D explained.
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