What’s the difference between NHS and private dentists?

The treatments available

Each type of dentistry offers slightly different treatment types. The differences are listed below.

NHS dentist

NHS dental care is available to everyone in the UK, as long as your treatment is clinically necessary. This means it’s needed to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. It doesn’t include cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.

NHS dental services usually cover:

• routine check-ups
• emergency appointments
• dental x-rays
• fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures
• tooth removals
• root canal treatment

If you need a dental implant (a titanium screw in your jaw topped with a false tooth), you’ll usually need to have this done privately. Dental implants are only available on the NHS in special cases.

If your child needs braces, they might be able to have these on the NHS if there’s a medical need. For example, crooked teeth can be harder to clean, make it difficult to chew and cause tooth decay. Adults can sometimes qualify for braces on the NHS too, but only if it’s medically necessary.

If you or your child are eligible for NHS braces, your dentist might sometimes be able to provide these. But they’ll usually refer you to an Orthodontist. They’ll assess your teeth using a scale called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). This scale looks at how your teeth affect your health and appearance, and helps your Orthodontist decide who needs braces most.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be added to a waiting list for treatment. If not, you’ll need to arrange private orthodontic treatment.

Private dentist

Private dentistry is also open to everyone if your budget allows. You don’t need to have a membership or insurance, but you will need to pay for treatment. Private dental practices usually provide all the same services as the NHS, as well as a range of other treatments, including:

• dental implants
• teeth whitening
• veneers
• composite bonding
• white fillings
• teeth straightening

The cost

Costs can vary between NHS and private dentistry. We explore the differences below.

NHS dentist

NHS dentistry isn’t usually free , but it’s partly funded by the government to make it more affordable. Most people will need to pay something towards the cost of treatment.

In England and Wales, NHS dental charges are split into three pricing bands, based on how complex your treatment plan is.

• Band 1 covers checkups, dental x-rays, professional cleaning and emergency care.
• Band 2 includes fillings, root canal treatment and tooth removals.
• Band 3 covers more complex procedures such as crowns, bridges and dentures.

Some people are eligible for free NHS dental care, including if you’re:

• pregnant or gave birth in the last 12 months
• under 18, or under 19 and still in full-time education
• receiving certain benefits or support with NHS costs

Private dentist

Private dentistry is often more expensive than the NHS, because it isn’t partly funded by the government.

Costs vary between practices and depend on:

• the type of treatment you need
• how long it takes
• the materials your dentist uses

But you may also be able to:

• access a wider range of treatments
• choose the materials used, like white fillings or invisible aligners (braces)
• get an appointment more easily
• spend more time with your dentist
• speak to your dentist about ways to pay, like spreading your payments out

Your dentist should create a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and let you know the full price upfront before you agree to proceed.

Waiting lists and appointment times

We can’t accurately predict the difference in waiting times between NHS and private care, but we explain the process here.

NHS dentist

To get an appointment with an NHS dentist, you first need to register with a practice. But not all practices have capacity to take on new NHS patients, so you might have to contact several clinics or join a waiting list.

Even once you’re registered, it can sometimes take time to get an appointment unless it’s urgent. This is because here are fewer NHS dentists, limited funding and a backlog from the pandemic.

Every NHS dental practice has a contract with the NHS to provide a set number of NHS treatments. When those slots are full, your dentist may offer you a private appointment instead. Some dentists only work for the NHS, while others run mixed practices offering both NHS and private care. In these mixed practices, NHS and private patients are usually booked separately, which can also affect waiting times.

Your actual appointment might also be shorter, because your NHS dentist may need to see more patients in a day.

Private dentist

It may be easier to get an appointment with a private dentist. Wait times for private dentistry tend to be shorter than NHS dental care. Some private practices also offer evening and weekend appointments, which you might find helpful if you need urgent treatment. You might also find that your appointment lasts longer. Private dentists generally have more flexibility and can often spend more time with each patient.

Can you mix NHS and private dental treatment?

Yes – you don’t have to choose between NHS and private dental care. Many people use a combination of both. You might have essential treatments like checkups on the NHS and pay privately for extras such as cosmetic work or white fillings.

Ultimately, whether you choose NHS care, private treatment, or a mix of the two is up to you. The NHS provides essential treatments at an affordable cost, while private dentists often offer quicker access, tailored treatment plans, and a wider range of services. Both aim to deliver high-quality care and help keep your teeth healthy.