For many people, choosing private dentistry does not feel entirely like a choice.
Difficulty finding an NHS dentist is leading more patients to consider private treatment, sometimes when they had never expected or budgeted to do so. Recent Healthwatch research found that 32% of people in England had used private dentistry in the previous year, compared with 22% in 2023. Among people living in the most deprived areas, difficulty finding an NHS dentist was particularly significant.
Understandably, one of the first questions we hear from patients considering private dentistry is: “How much is this going to cost me?”
Cost matters, particularly when dental treatment is unexpected. However, it is also important to understand what treatment you need, what alternatives are available, what each option involves and exactly what you are agreeing to pay for.
Private dental care should never feel like signing a blank cheque. A good conversation with your dentist should leave you understanding your options and costs before treatment begins.
Why are more patients considering private dentistry?
The difficulties surrounding access to NHS dentistry are well documented. Government data from the Adult Oral Health Survey found that being unable to find a dentist was the most commonly reported reason for infrequent dental attendance. Among people who had used private dental care, 39% cited being unable to find an NHS dentist as a reason.
This can put patients in a difficult position. They may need treatment but find that the only readily available option is private care.
The difference in price can then come as a shock.
From 1 April 2026, NHS dental charges in England are £27.90 for Band 1, £76.60 for Band 2 and £332.10 for Band 3 treatment. A Band 1 course can include an examination, diagnosis and necessary X-rays, while Band 3 can include treatments such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
Private fees are set differently and vary considerably between practices and treatments. A private examination might, for example, cost around £62 at some practices, while a private crown might be around £750 or more depending on the practice, material and clinical circumstances.
For somebody accustomed to NHS charges, the difference can understandably be concerning.
Why does private dentistry cost more?
It is tempting to compare an NHS price and a private price as though they represent two prices for precisely the same service.
The reality is more complicated.
NHS dentistry operates under a particular funding and charging system. Private dentistry is priced by individual practices according to the treatment being provided, the clinician’s time, laboratory fees, materials and other costs associated with providing care.
There may also be a broader range of treatment choices available privately.
In our own experience, one of the concerns patients sometimes express about NHS care is that they have not felt they had as many options to consider.
For example, dental implants are generally provided privately rather than routinely through NHS dental services. Private care may therefore provide additional choices for replacing missing teeth, including implant-based and other fixed solutions where these are clinically appropriate.
At our practice, private care can also provide greater continuity, with patients able to see the same dentist consistently. We believe that continuity can be particularly valuable when somebody requires treatment over several appointments or has more complex dental needs.
The important point is that patients should understand what they are receiving for the proposed fee rather than simply being presented with a price.
More choice does not necessarily mean choosing the most expensive treatment
Having more treatment options should not mean being encouraged towards the most expensive one.
A dentist’s role is to explain the clinically appropriate choices, including their advantages, disadvantages, likely longevity, risks and costs.
Imagine, for example, that you have a tooth which might be saved.
One possible treatment plan could involve root canal treatment — treatment to remove infection or inflammation from inside the tooth — followed by a crown to protect and restore it.
Another possibility might be extracting the tooth.
Removing the tooth would generally cost considerably less than carrying out root canal treatment and subsequently providing a crown. However, the consequences are different because extraction leaves you with a missing tooth, which may lead to a further discussion about whether and how it should be replaced.
Neither option should be selected purely because it is the cheapest or most expensive.
Your dentist should help you understand the clinical implications so that you can make an informed decision based on your dental health, priorities and circumstances.
Ask for a written estimate before starting private dental treatment
One of the biggest sources of anxiety about private dentistry is uncertainty.
Patients may worry that they will agree to treatment at one price and then receive a much larger bill afterwards.
This is why we provide our patients with written estimates and treatment plans.
Before committing to treatment, you should understand what treatment is being recommended and what it is expected to cost.
Useful questions include:
- What treatment are you recommending and why?
- What alternatives do I have?
- Is there a less expensive clinically appropriate option?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of each choice?
- How many appointments will I need?
- How long is the overall treatment likely to take?
- What is included in the estimate?
- Are there circumstances in which the price could change?
- What happens financially if the treatment cannot be completed as originally planned?
- Are payment plans or finance options available?
Do not feel embarrassed about discussing money with your dentist. Cost is a legitimate part of making a healthcare decision.
What happens if treatment does not go according to plan?
This is an important question that patients do not always think to ask.
Dentistry involves treating living tissues, and the outcome of treatment cannot always be guaranteed. Sometimes a dentist may start with the intention of saving a tooth but discover that its condition or response to treatment means this is no longer possible.
Consider the example of a tooth where the treatment plan involves root canal treatment followed by a crown.
Despite appropriate assessment and care, there can be circumstances where the tooth ultimately cannot be saved. If the planned treatment changes, there should be a clear conversation about what happens next — clinically and financially.
At our practice, we believe this is something patients should understand when discussing their treatment plan. Depending on the circumstances and what treatment has already been carried out, the overall cost may change if parts of the original treatment plan are no longer required.
This is precisely why patients should ask how changes to treatment affect their estimate before proceeding.
A patient who wanted an alternative to dentures
We recently saw a patient who was considering replacing his dentures.
Cost was a significant concern for him.
Rather than simply presenting one treatment and its price, we discussed the different possibilities, what treatment would involve and how long it would take.
Implant treatment was one of the options discussed.
Dental implants are small titanium fixtures placed into the jawbone to provide support for replacement teeth. Implant treatment can be more complex and take considerably longer than providing conventional removable dentures, which contributes to the difference in cost.
Taking the time to explain the process helped the patient understand why implant treatment carried a higher fee and what he would be receiving for that cost.
We were also able to discuss spreading the cost into instalments, which helped make the financial side of his chosen treatment more manageable.
This does not mean implants are the right answer for every patient. Suitability depends on factors including oral health, the amount and condition of available bone, general health, expectations and budget.
What mattered in this case was that the patient understood his choices rather than feeling that there was only one option available.
Can you ask about finance or paying in instalments?
Yes.
If paying for treatment in one amount would be difficult, ask the practice what arrangements are available.
Some practices may allow certain treatments to be paid for in stages or offer finance arrangements, subject to their individual terms and eligibility requirements.
This can be particularly relevant to treatment carried out over several months.
However, spreading payments does not make treatment cheaper overall, and any finance arrangement should be considered carefully. Ask whether interest or other charges apply and make sure the repayments are affordable.
Your dentist will not necessarily know that cost is worrying you unless you tell them.
We would much rather a patient raise the subject openly than agree to treatment they do not fully understand or feel financially uncomfortable about.
Are dental implants available on the NHS?
Dental implants are generally provided privately, although NHS-funded implant treatment may be available in limited clinical circumstances, usually subject to specific criteria and often through specialist services.
For most patients considering implants as an alternative to dentures or bridges, treatment is likely to be private.
However, implants are not the only way to replace missing teeth.
Depending on your individual circumstances, possibilities might include:
- Leaving the space where appropriate
- A removable denture
- A conventional dental bridge
- Other fixed bridge options
- One or more dental implants
- Implant-supported replacement teeth or dentures
Not every option is suitable for every patient, and some options may be available through the NHS when clinically necessary.
This is why a proper assessment and discussion are more useful than simply asking, “How much is an implant?”
What if I feel pressured into private treatment?
You should understand whether treatment is being offered on the NHS or privately before agreeing to it.
NHS guidance states that patients should be properly informed about treatment, including its risks, benefits and likely outcome. For NHS Band 2 or Band 3 treatment, or where NHS and private treatments are being mixed, patients should receive a treatment plan setting out the proposed treatment and costs.
If you are unsure, ask directly:
“Is this treatment available to me on the NHS?”
You can also ask why a particular private alternative is being suggested and whether there are other clinically appropriate options.
Private treatment should be an informed decision. You should not feel uncomfortable asking questions about price or requesting time to consider significant non-urgent treatment.
What should I do if I am worried about private dental costs?
Start by telling your dentist.
We regularly see patients who are worried about the cost of treatment, and those concerns deserve to be part of the conversation.
Ask for a written treatment plan and estimate. Find out what is essential now, what options you have, how long treatment will take and whether the treatment can appropriately be carried out in stages.
Most importantly, make sure you understand the implications of each option.
The cheapest treatment is not automatically the best choice for your long-term oral health. Equally, the most expensive treatment is not automatically the best choice either.
The right treatment is one that is clinically appropriate and that you have chosen after understanding the benefits, limitations, risks, alternatives and costs.
Making private dentistry feel like an informed choice
It is understandable to feel frustrated if you originally wanted NHS dental care but have found yourself considering private treatment because you cannot access it.
It is equally understandable to worry about the cost.
Being treated privately should not mean losing control over those decisions. In fact, transparency becomes even more important when you are paying directly for treatment.
Ask questions. Discuss your budget. Request a written estimate. Find out what alternatives are available and ask what happens if the treatment plan needs to change.
A good dentist should be willing to have that conversation.
Ultimately, our aim is for patients to understand not simply how much their treatment costs, but what their choices are and why a particular treatment may be recommended.
If you are uncertain about a proposed dental treatment or its cost, speak to your dentist before proceeding. Understanding the options clearly can make what initially feels like a difficult financial decision a much more informed one.