Major Benefits Include:

• An advisory service run by dentists, for dentists
• Substantially lower premiums
• Guaranteed £10,000,000 any one claim limit of indemnity
• Nil Excess
• Cover for regulatory issues
• 24 hour help line
• Cover in respect of the Good Samaritan Act
• 20-year run-off cover

DPA Launches ‘Dental Shield’ Indemnity Plan

The Dental Practitioners Association (DPA) has joined up with the best insurance and legal expertise in the UK to offer Dental Shield, a new Professional Indemnity insurance and advisory service to its 2,500 members from 1 April 2008.

In the library of the Lloyd’s of London building the DPA and specialist Lloyd’s PI insurance broker Lockton announced today the launch of Dental Shield. It will be underwritten by two A rated insurers - WR Berkeley and Heritage (also part of the Lloyd’s insurance market). The new service will be reinforced by UK leading law firm Browne Jacobson, which will provide specialist claims support. At the same time, the parties involved confirmed their new long-term commitment to mitigating practitioners’ PI risks in the dental professional market.

From 1 April 2008, DPA members’ premiums will be significantly lower than other comparable PI insurance products currently on offer in the market – with policies also providing a 20-year run-off commitment that guarantees DPA members’ financial assets. Policyholders that demonstrate a good claims track record over time can expect continued premium savings.

As a member of the DPA, dental practitioners can now benefit from the contractual certainty and security of the PI insurance model.

DPA Chief Executive Officer Derek Watson said: “Indemnity against claims for professional negligence is a statutory requirement for all registered dental professionals and the Dental Practitioners’ Association wanted to take a fresh look at this issue on behalf of its members and the wider profession. We were delighted to find in Lockton, WR Berkley and Heritage Group, three companies with a pro-active and modern approach that ideally fits our members’ requirements.

“We have worked hard to ensure that Dental Shield addresses so far as possible the current requirements of the General Dental Council in respect of policies of this type and will continue to do so. In addition, with this type of policy the cover is guaranteed. I am proud that we have not only achieved an improvement on current policies but it can be delivered at a lower cost to members than existing options, representing a significant new member benefit.”

Lockton, the insurance broker responsible for delivering the new PI insurance deal, confirmed that all parties involved in Dental Shield are committed to its long term sustainability.

Kevin Culliney Executive Director at Lockton said: “I believe that Lockton’s reputation for service – its 95% client retention rate in the US – its status as a registered Lloyd’s of London insurance broker and understanding of the long-term insurance needs of our profession makes it the right partner for DPA members. All the parties involved in Dental Shield have invested heavily to ensure the service is a long-term success that meets the needs of DPA dentists.”

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Notes for Editors

About the DPA

The Dental Practitioners Association was established in 1954 to advises, supports and represents general dental practitioners in the UK. It is the largest such organisation representing over 2,500 ‘high street’ dentists.

About Lockton

Lockton is the largest independent, privately owned, global insurance broker and employs more than 3,800 people. Lockton delivers services throughout the world to businesses of all sizes, as well as individual clients.

Lockton’s international insurance business (including Lockton Companies International Limited) provides insurance and reinsurance broking, risk and insurance programme management and consulting, alternative risk finance, claims management and insurance products and services. Lockton International is a registered Lloyd’s broker and a partner in EOS RISQ, Europe’s leading insurance broking and risk management consultancy.

Lockton Companies International Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. For more information on Lockton and its insurance and risk services, please visit the website at www.lockton.com or www.lockton.com/international

About WR Berkeley

W.R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited is founded on the principals of intelligent underwriting, superior, personalised claims handling, supported by the financial strength of a long-term specialist insurer. It is part of the W.R. Berkley group of companies headed by the W.R. Berkley Corporation, a leaving global insurance group with over US $15.6 billion in assets and over $3billion in shareholder funds.

W.R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited is rated “A” (excellent) by A. M. Best Company (the independent ratings agency). It is known as a specialist medical indemnity insurer committed to this class of business in the long term.

About Heritage Group

The Heritage Group is a leading independent provider of insurance and specialist financial services, uniquely structured to provide effective solutions to clients’ varying and complex needs. Independent from any broker or other financial institution enables us to fulfil client objectives swiftly and free of conflicts of interest.

Heritage Group is a member of Lloyd’s the world’s leading specialist insurance market, which is famous for never having failed to pay a claim in its long history. 92 per cent of FTSE 100 companies and 93 per cent of Dow Jones companies have insurance at Lloyd’s. Lloyd’s has capacity to write about £15.95bn of business as 1 January 2008 and is rated A by rating agency A.M. Best and A+ by Fitch and Standard & Poors.

About Browne Jacobson

Browne Jacobson is one of the largest law firms in the Midlands with regional and national reach through its offices in Nottingham, Birmingham and London. It prides itself on developing long-term mutually beneficial partnerships with like-minded clients in the public, commercial and insurance sectors.

The firm combines high calibre individuals, innovation and market knowledge with client driven flexibility. Its people believe in being straightforward and easy to deal with whilst delivering individually tailored practical (and creative) solutions. The firm has invested in leading edge technology that helps ensure it provides clients with the best possible service.

From a solid foundation in the Midlands, the firm has gained national recognition in many areas including its work in the health, retail and environmental sectors as well as being recognised as regional heavyweights for corporate, property, public enquiry, litigation and professional risk work.

Enquiries

All media enquiries should be directed to PR Manager Chris Don who can be contacted at 020 7933 2634 or chris.don@uk.lockton.com