With over 20 years of experience working with dental professionals, Sue Allen, Head of Financial Planning at Chester Rose Financial Planning, knows what matters most. In the following Q&A, Sue shares why Dentists’ Provident, a specialist in income protection for dentists, is a smart choice—offering financial security that truly fits the unique needs of the dental profession.
Last year, new income protection plan sales in the UK increased by 10%[1]. But Income Protection Task Force (IPTF) advisor research suggests that advisor perceptions of underwriting remains as one of the biggest barriers to the sale of income protection.
Having worked with Dentists’ Provident for over 15 years, Sue Allen has always valued their in-depth understanding of the dental profession and how this and a highly personalised approach to business brings clear benefits to Chester Rose Financial Planning Limited and their clients.
Tell us a bit more about Chester Rose and the services you provide?
SA: Chester Rose Financial Planning Limited is a chartered financial planning company that, among others, has specialised in working with dental professionals. We provide a wide range of services, from cash flow modelling and investment planning to specialised advice on protection, pensions, and tax planning strategies.
With particular expertise in working with dental professionals for nearly twenty years, we understand the unique financial planning needs of this sector. Currently, we are enhancing our offering further to create a one-stop shop to meet the needs of dental professionals at any stage of their career.
You’ve worked with income protection provider Dentists’ Provident since the outset of your career. What are the benefits of them being a specialist provider?
SA: Dentists’ Provident is a specialist insurer, and one of their real USPs is their detailed understanding of the dental profession. Without this, I don’t think one can serve the needs of our clients effectively throughout the product’s lifecycle.
They take the time to understand the nuances of each case and always work with me to ensure my clients receive the support they need.
What is their underwriting process like from an intermediary’s point of view?
SA: Dentists’ Provident are thorough and look at applications on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, this can mean the application process takes a bit longer, but there are genuine benefits of this at the claims stage. This is of real value to us as financial planners, as both my clients and I have complete confidence in the quality of the cover. Because if you have a plan with a cheaper premium, and it doesn’t produce the expected positive outcomes for your clients when they need it most, then what is the point? Their personalised service and the fact you can always get through to speak to someone also makes a real difference.
What changes are you seeing in the dental profession that are impacting their finances?
SA: Dentistry is forever changing, but some key things we are seeing are smaller dental practices selling to corporates and an increased number of practices offering more private dentistry.
As a result, some of our clients have made changes to their NHS contracts, which has given some confusion around its impact on their pension schemes, ill health pensions and annual allowance calculations. Many have needed to review their financial situations, as well as looking at how it could impact their NHS sick pay.
Have you got examples of what a client has fed back to you about their income protection with yourselves and Dentists’ Provident?
SA: We have worked with Dentists’ Provident for many years, and during this time, we have had numerous experiences where they have gone above and beyond for our clients. In one case, a client’s career was sadly ended due to a chronic condition, and Dentists’ Provident helped them through that difficult transition, not just financially but emotionally as well.
They didn’t manage the claim as a tick-box exercise; instead, they showed true empathy and really understood the impact on my client’s life and profession. This, of course, gave huge reassurance to them – and us.
ENDS
About Sue Allen
During her almost 30 years in financial services, Sue has qualified as a Chartered and Certified Financial Planner, a Pension Transfer Specialist, and is also a Registered Life Planner with the Kinder Institute. Sue has comprehensive experience in all aspects of financial planning, from retirement planning to specialist planning. Today, Sue is Head of Financial Planning at Chester Rose Financial Planning Limited, which has brought together independent and Chartered Planning practices, whose philosophy is that only by getting to the very heart of their client’s personal vision and aspirations can they add true value to the financial planning process.
About Dentists’ Provident
Dentists’ Provident is a leading provider of income protection insurance to dental professionals. For more than a century, we have helped our members achieve financial security during periods of illness or injury. We are the only insurer in the UK focusing exclusively on dental professionals, and we specialise in income protection and nothing else.
We are a member-owned, not-for-profit mutual, and we are run by dental professionals for dental professionals. Our members remain at the very heart of everything we do and, most importantly, the reason we do it. We are there when our members need us, every step of the way – from university and into retirement.
For more information, visit www.dentistsprovident.co.uk.
To find out more about how we can help your clients, contact Head of Intermediary Relationships Peter Dunn or his team on 020 7400 5710 or peter.dunn@dentistsprovident.co.uk.
[1] Swiss Re, Term & Health Watch 2024
