How to claim dental treatment back from your insurance in the UAE
Many dental clinics in Dubai, Healthpoint included, work by reimbursement: you pay at the clinic, then claim the money back from your insurer. A claim is usually paid quickly when the paperwork is complete and the treatment is covered. This guide explains what to do before treatment, the documents insurers ask for, and what to do if a claim is refused.
The short answer
Check your dental cover before treatment, get pre-approval if your insurer needs it, and pay at the clinic. Then submit the itemised invoice, the medical report and, if your insurer has one, its claim form signed by the dentist, through your insurer's app, website or email. The insurer pays back what your plan covers, up to your dental limit and after any co-payment.
Before your treatment
- Read your table of benefitsFind the dental line: the yearly limit, the co-payment, any waiting period and the treatments that are excluded.
- Ask for a written estimateThe clinic lists each treatment and its price. Insurers use this to tell you what they will pay.
- Get pre-approval if neededLarger treatments, such as crowns, root canals or dentures, often need the insurer's approval before they start. Treatment done without it may not be paid.
- Keep your limit in mindIf your yearly dental limit is low, ask the dentist whether treatment can be spread across two policy years.
The documents insurers ask for
- Itemised invoice: each treatment on its own line, with the date, the tooth number and the price, and the clinic's details.
- Medical report: your diagnosis and the treatment done, signed by the dentist.
- Claim form: if your insurer has its own dental claim or reimbursement form, part of it is filled in by the dentist.
- Proof of payment: the receipt or card slip.
- X-rays: some insurers ask for them with claims for crowns, root canals and extractions.
- Your details: a copy of your insurance card and Emirates ID, and your bank details for the refund.
Submitting your claim
Most insurers in the UAE take claims through their app or website; some still accept email. Submit as soon as you have every document, because policies set a time limit for claims after the treatment date. Check yours in your policy documents. Keep a copy of everything you send, and note the claim reference number so you can follow it up.
If treatment runs over several visits, follow your insurer's rules: some want each visit claimed separately, others one claim when the treatment is finished.
Why dental claims get refused
| Reason | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| The treatment is not covered, such as whitening or veneers | Check the exclusions in your table of benefits first |
| No pre-approval for a larger treatment | Ask your insurer before treatment starts |
| Still in the waiting period | Check when your dental cover starts |
| The yearly dental limit is used up | Check how much of your limit is left in your insurer's app |
| Missing details, such as the diagnosis or tooth number | Check the invoice and report before you submit |
| Submitted too late | Claim as soon as you have the documents |
If your claim is refused or only partly paid
Read the insurer's explanation first. If a document or detail is missing, ask the clinic for it and resubmit. If you think the insurer has applied your policy wrongly, ask how to appeal; for a company plan, your HR team can often help. The amount you paid at the clinic does not change, so keep your receipts until the claim is settled.
Claiming after treatment at Healthpoint
We do not bill insurers directly. After your treatment we give you an itemised invoice and a medical report. If your insurer has its own claim form, bring it and the doctor fills it in within 48 hours. Copies of your X-rays are free. If your insurer needs pre-approval, we give you the treatment plan and estimate before we start. See insurance and payment, or read what UAE insurance usually covers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a dental insurance reimbursement take?
It depends on the insurer. Complete claims are often paid within a few weeks, while claims with missing documents take longer. Track the status in your insurer's app using the claim reference number.
What should a dental invoice show for an insurance claim?
Each treatment on its own line, with the date, the tooth number, the price and the clinic's details. Insurers also ask for a medical report with your diagnosis, signed by the dentist.
Can I claim for my child's dental treatment?
Yes, if your child is on your policy and the treatment is covered. The process is the same: the invoice and medical report are in your child's name, with your policy details on the claim.
Can I claim for treatment that was done over several visits?
Yes. Some insurers want each visit claimed separately and others one claim at the end. Keep the invoice from every visit and check your insurer's rules before you submit.
Medical review: to be completed by a Healthpoint dentist, whose name and title will be shown here. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis; your dentist will advise on your own teeth.