It’s the age-old question for new-to-practice dentists: how much can dental malpractice insurance cost?
As a new dentist, you can take a variety of paths early in your career. You might start by moonlighting straight out of your residency. Or you might begin working at one practice and then move to another. You could even decide to start your own practice. But no matter where your career takes you, you’ll need new dentist malpractice insurance.
The good news is that most insurance companies offer discounts for new-to-practice dentists — and some of them can be pretty substantial. Here we break down the dental malpractice insurance costs you can expect to pay in the first few years of your career.
As you might expect, your dental malpractice insurance cost will depend on a number of factors, including the state you live in, your specialty, whether you choose a claims-made policy or an occurrence policy, your limits of liability, and the number of hours you work. But when it comes to new dentist malpractice insurance, a common theme emerges: reduced rates for dental professionals who have recently started their careers.
Many insurance companies give dentists a discount rate during their first few years of practicing. For an example, here are Berxi’s new-to-practice discounts for dental malpractice insurance:
For example, if you are a general dentist in Oregon working 30+ hours a week and looking for an occurrence policy with limits of $1 million per claim and $3 million per year, you might typically pay around $1,989 per year. But since you’re a new dentist, this is about what you’d pay for an occurrence policy in your first 5 years of practicing:
(Note: This price can increase if you do more specialty or invasive procedures but can be reduced if you are part of a dental organization or have recently taken risk management courses.)
If you’re looking instead for a claims-made policy — which tends to be less expensive in the initial years than an occurrence policy — you would typically pay around:
(Note: This pricing assumes a retroactive date.)
Dental malpractice insurance costs can vary quite a bit depending on your specialty, where you practice, limits, and a few other factors. To give you a ballpark idea, we pulled some sample quotes from Berxi for full-time dental professionals with 5+ years of experience based in Oregon seeking $1 million/$3 million limits of liability.
These prices are based on individual occurrence policies, which are more commonly purchased by dental professionals at Berxi and tend to cost a little more than claims-made ones. The prices do not include any discounts that can often be applied (see below). Here’s what the annual premiums might look like:
Keep in mind, your actual rate could be higher or lower depending on your experience, hours, coverage type, complexity of work, and other factors.
In addition to our discounts for new dentists, Berxi offers a number of other discounts for established dentists, regardless of how many years they’ve been practicing.
The insurance company you choose will also affect your premiums. Many insurers sell through brokers and agents, which can lead to additional fees and commission costs of 20% or more due to broker and policy admin fees.
Berxi is a direct-to-customer insurer — meaning we don’t use brokers or middlemen, instead selling the policy directly to you — so dentists who choose Berxi generally save an average of 15%.
Choosing the right malpractice insurance provider isn’t just about price — it’s about finding coverage that works for your specific needs. So what should you look for in a malpractice insurance policy?
Dentists face a lot of risks beyond just being sued for malpractice, and your insurance policy should protect you from those risks. If you’re called before a licensing board or a peer review committee, will your policy cover your defense? What about HIPAA violations? Does the insurance company cover things like first aid costs or medical waste legal expenses? And can you insure your whole team under one policy?
It’s also worth checking whether legal fees are paid outside of your policy limits. That means that the cost of hiring an attorney won’t affect the amount of money available to pay claims and judgments, and it can make a big difference if you ever face a claim.
Look for insurers that offer both occurrence and claims-made policies, a range of liability limits, and no deductible. And if you’re starting your own practice, bonus points if your policy also covers hygienists and assistants at no extra charge.
Support matters just as much as coverage. Make sure the company has experienced claims professionals who understand dental cases, offers “consent to settle” (Berxi never settles a claim without your approval), and provides easy online access to manage your policy. Strong financial ratings — like an A++ from AM Best — are also a must, as they show the company can actually pay claims.
These can really add up. Think educational resources, discounts for dental association members or risk management courses. And of course, glowing reviews from other dental professionals never hurt.
Dental malpractice insurance is there to help protect you if a patient claims that your actions injured them. It can cover legal fees, settlement costs, and other expenses — so you’re not left footing the bill on your own.
Defending or settling a claim can be expensive and stressful, but having the right coverage means you’ll have support every step of the way, helping you stay focused on patient care instead of worrying about what might go wrong.
Berxi makes things easy for dental professionals. With a simple online portal, top-tier customer support, and strong financial backing, it’s a smart choice. Plus, because Berxi sells directly to customers — with no brokers or middlemen — you can save an average of 15% compared to other providers.
Berxi’s comprehensive dental malpractice policies provide coverage that goes above and beyond. Because Berxi understands the unique risks that dental professionals face, we cover many things that other providers might not.
For example, if you’re called before a licensing board or dental peer review committee, your Berxi policy can defend you. Or if you’re accused of violating HIPAA privacy rules, Berxi can provide you with expert legal counsel and cover any related fines.
Berxi also covers things like first aid expenses and medical waste legal costs, as well as a wide range of professional services, such as consulting, teaching, and utilization management review. And if there’s ever a threat to your professional reputation, Berxi can even cover the costs of a public relations specialist. Learn more about how Berxi compares to other providers.
Berxi is part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, which holds an A++ rating from AM Best — the highest possible rating. That means every policy is backed by serious financial strength, so you can trust Berxi will be there when you need us.
With Berxi, you get top-notch customer support from in-house experts exactly when you need it. When you call the Berxi support line, you’ll reach a real human being, not a robot. And if a claim is ever filed against you, the claims team will help you navigate the process, every step of the way.
Want to find out how much your Berxi dental malpractice policy could cost? Get an instant quote today.
Image courtesy of iStock.com/Armand Burger
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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Berxi™ or Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company. This article (subject to change without notice) is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice. Click here to read our full disclaimer
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Berxi Editorial Team Mar 25, 2025
Eric Block DMD, CAGS, FICOI, FICD, FAADS, FIADFE Jul 17, 2025
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