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Why do dental hygienists need business insurance?
If a patient claims you injured them during a cleaning, the results could be devastating to your finances and your reputation. Investing in liability insurance protects your own interests, giving you peace of mind in the event of a lawsuit. In many cases, you'll need coverage to sign contracts.
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With Insureon, dental hygienists can often get insurance coverage the same day they apply for quotes.
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What types of insurance do dental hygienists need?
These policies cover the most common risks faced by dental hygienists.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers accidents involving third parties, such as a dental hygienist who drops a patient's glasses. It's often required by commercial landlords.
BEST FOR
- Bodily injuries from everyday accidents
- Accidental damage to patient property
- Slander and other advertising injuries
Business owner’s policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is a way for dentistry businesses to buy commercial property insurance and general liability insurance together at a low cost.
BEST FOR
- Accidents that injure a patient or visitor
- Damage to a patient's belongings
- Stolen or damaged medical equipment
Professional liability / medical malpractice
Professional liability coverage, also called medical malpractice insurance, covers attorney fees and other legal defense costs if a dental hygienist is accused of professional negligence.
BEST FOR
- Injuries from a cleaning or other procedure
- Failure to diagnose a condition
- Mistakes in medical records
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for dental practices that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical bills that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Medical expenses from work injuries
- Lost wages during recovery
- Workplace liability claims from injured employees
Commercial auto insurance
Most states require commercial auto insurance for vehicles owned by a dental practice. It helps cover the cost of an accident involving your business vehicle.
BEST FOR
- Property damage caused by a company vehicle
- Injuries caused by a company vehicle
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance covers financial losses resulting from data breaches and cyberattacks at a dentist's office. It can often be added to a business owner's policy or general liability policy.
BEST FOR
- Data breach investigations
- Customer notification expenses
- Cyberattack recovery costs
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
How much does dental hygienist insurance cost?
A dental hygienist who works independently won't have to pay a lot for business insurance.
Average healthcare professional insurance costs include:
General liability: $31 per month
Workers' compensation: $60 per month
Professional liability: $42 per month
Healthcare clinics pay $70 per month, on average, for a business owner's policy. The cost of business insurance depends on the services you provide, your history of claims, and other factors.
What factors affect the cost of insurance for dental hygienists?
Here are some of the factors that can affect insurance premiums for dental hygienists during the underwriting process:
- Services provided. A dental hygienist who cleans teeth can expect to pay less for insurance than one who performs advanced tasks such as administering anesthesia.
- Business property and equipment. It'll cost more to insure a large office with expensive 3D imaging systems than a smaller dentistry practice.
- Number of employees. A bigger workforce brings a higher risk of employee accidents and mistakes, which raises the cost of workers' compensation, general liability, and similar policies.
- Annual revenue. Increased business revenue is associated with higher risks and more frequent claims, which results in higher insurance costs.
- Business location. Regional factors such as crime rates, population density, and property values affect how much you pay for business insurance.
- Coverage limits and deductibles. Policies with higher liability limits cost more but cover more expensive claims. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premium, but your insurance won't activate until you pay the full amount.
- Claims history. A dental hygienist who has filed an insurance claim in the past can expect to pay more for insurance than one with a clean history of claims.
How do I get dental hygienist insurance?
It's easy to get dental hygienist insurance if you have your business information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your company, such as revenue and number of employees.
You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download proof of coverage.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance solutions for dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other healthcare professionals, whether you work independently or hire employees.
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FAQs about insurance for dental hygienists
Review answers to frequently asked questions about dental hygienist insurance coverage.
Is malpractice insurance for dental hygienists required?
Some states, such as Colorado, require malpractice insurance for dental hygienists, also called professional liability insurance. More often, a healthcare facility or network will require you to have this coverage.
There are several reasons to invest in your own malpractice coverage, even when you're covered under the policy of a supervising dentist:
- Your employer's policy may not be sufficient. Employer policies are designed to protect their own interests, which can leave you with insufficient protection. They won't cover activities that happen outside your scope of practice or while unsupervised, and they won't cover independent contractors.
- Your performance directly impacts patients. Dental hygienists are responsible for a wide range of tasks that can affect a patient's well-being. For example, if a patient accuses you of overaggressive cleaning that caused an injury, it could lead to a costly malpractice lawsuit.
- Lawsuits are common and costly. Even the most careful dental hygienist can make a mistake on a busy day, or end up as a codefendant alongside their supervising dentist or oral surgeon. The costs of a lawsuit, including a judgment or settlement, could easily overwhelm your finances.
Dental hygienist professional liability insurance gives you peace and mind and protection against claims of professional negligence or failing to meet the standard of care. An insurance agent who knows your industry can help you find the right coverage for your unique risks at a price you can afford.
Why is tail coverage important for dental hygienists?
Tail coverage provides protection for incidents that happen while a malpractice policy is active, but are reported after the policy period ends.
For example, if a dental hygienist fails to update a patient's medical history, the result could be an allergic reaction years down the line.
Since malpractice claims can arise months or even years later, tail coverage ensures dental hygienists remain protected against lawsuits for work they performed in the past.
What's the difference between occurrence-based and claims-made coverage for dental hygienists?
Insurance policies come in two forms: occurrence-based and claims-made. Dental malpractice insurance is usually sold as a claims-made policy, which means you'll need to keep your policy active in order to benefit from it.
Most other types of business insurance, such as general liability, are occurrence-based policies. Occurrence-based policies provide coverage for incidents that happened during the policy period, even after your policy expires.
With a claims-made policy, it's crucial to have continuous coverage. You can secure coverage for incidents that happened in the past by setting a retroactive date with your insurance company. And for professional liability claims that happen after you retire or cancel your coverage, you can add tail coverage to extend the window in which you can file a claim.
What other types of insurance should a dental hygienist have?
Dental hygienists should consider these coverages as part of a comprehensive risk management strategy to protect their finances and their career:
- Telemedicine / telehealth coverage protects dental hygienists in the event of a liability claim arising from a virtual consultation or other teledentistry service.
- License protection coverage pays for legal fees and other costs if you face an investigation or malpractice lawsuit that could affect your status as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or other certified professional.
- Needlestick or occupational accident insurance (OAI) protects against injuries from needles and sharp instruments, which are one of the biggest risks for dental hygienists.
- HIPAA defense coverage covers legal proceedings, fines, and penalties related to HIPAA violations, such as a hygienist who posts a before-and-after photo on social media that includes a patient's protected health information (PHI).
- Sexual misconduct defense pays for legal costs if a dental hygienist is accused of inappropriate physical contact.
These insurance products can help ensure you’re protected against other costly risks in your practice, including some that may not be included under standard policies.