Mayo-Based DeCare Dental & 123.ie to Expand Access to Dental Insurance for Irish Consumers

April 2015: Mayo-based dental insurer, DeCare Dental Insurance continued its market expansion this month by partnering with 123.ie, a leading Irish insurance company and well-known consumer brand. DeCare Dental’s range of Healthy Smiles plans will now also be available to customers from the team at 123.ie, giving Irish consumers greater access to dental insurance.

Already employing over 100 people at its headquarters in Claremorris with a second facility in Dublin, it is hoped that this partnership will help DeCare to fuel further growth and expansion.  The move is part of a wider strategy by DeCare to expand its distribution model to not only sell directly to consumers but also through trusted partners, such as 123.ie.

“This is a really exciting venture for DeCare Dental”, commented CEO Maureen Walsh, “123.ie is a very well known and respected brand with an excellent reputation in terms of customer care, which is echoed in its 350,000 strong customer base. This focus on the customer aligns with DeCare’s core ethos and was a key factor in our decision to partner with 123.ie. Members will be supported by the customer service team at DeCare and as always, we will ensure the highest levels of customer care.”

Alan Holmes, Managing Director of 123.ie added, “Dental insurance is the perfect addition to our insurance product portfolio – it’s a product that can not only saves our customers money on their dental bills but also benefits their oral health.  In terms of a partner, DeCare Dental was the obvious choice; with over 10 years experience in Ireland, DeCare is an oral health and dental insurance specialist that offers exceptional customer care. In partnership with DeCare, our purpose is clear – to help improve the oral health of our customers.”

123.ie’s move to add dental insurance to its product portfolio is not surprising. Whilst overall numbers with health insurance cover are declining, DeCare’s experience shows there is growing interest in purchasing dental insurance, with increasing sales volumes and increased claims utilisation over the past year demonstrating more regular attendance at the dentist amongst the insured population.

CEO Maureen Walsh explains, “The reduction in PRSI cover and tax breaks for dental care has resulted in one in four people not visiting their dentist as often as they used to. Dental insurance offers a cost-effective and financially sustainable solution to this problem, giving them the opportunity to claim money back against a wide range of treatments at their dentist, from regular dental check-ups and cleanings to treatments such as crowns, root canals and orthodontics.”

DeCare Dental’s Healthy Smiles Range of Plans will be available through 123.ie online or through their call centre from April 2015. Monthly prices start from €11.27 for adults (aged 18 – 39) and from €7.71 per month for children (aged 0 – 17) for the Healthy Smiles Level 1 Plan, which provides 100% immediate cover for dental exams, dental cleanings, x-rays and emergency treatment. Members can then choose higher plan levels to add cover for procedures such as fillings, extractions, root canal, dentures, crowns and orthodontics. The plans feature additional benefits for kids including sealants, space maintainers and stainless steel crowns.

About DeCare

DeCare Dental is a specialist dental insurance and oral health company with over 10 years’ experience in Ireland. The company employs over 100 people in Mayo and Dublin.  and is a subsidiary of DeCare Dental LLC, a global benefits management group with over 40 years of proven success and more than 9 million customers worldwide. In Ireland, DeCare combines this global strength and experience with local product, service and oral health expertise, assuring members of a friendly, professional and dedicated service at all times.

About 123.ie

123.ie is one of Ireland’s leading insurance providers, offering customers Car, Home, Travel and Pet (with RSA) plus Health (with Glo Health), Life Assurance (with Irish Life) and now Dental Insurance (with DeCare Dental).

Launched in 2002, 123.ie became a part of the RSA group in 2010 and today provides insurance to over 350,000 customers throughout Ireland and employs almost 300 staff in its Dublin call centre.  The company’s aim is to provide a fast, convenient and efficient service to all its customers. It has built a reputation in the marketplace for professionalism and excellence, sustained through highly efficient staff combined with an excellent approach to the servicing and retention of all new and existing customers.