Finding a dentist in the UK
Dental practices in the UK fall into three broad groups: those offering NHS dentistry, those that are fully private, and mixed practices that do both. All dentists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), and dental practices in England are inspected and rated by the Care Quality Commission. HealthWise shows the CQC rating and NHS/private status for each listed practice so you can compare on more than location alone.
NHS vs private dental care
NHS dental treatment in England is charged in three fixed bands (a check-up and simple treatment cost less than more complex work). NHS charges are set nationally and reviewed each year. Private fees vary between practices and are set by the practice itself. Some treatments — such as purely cosmetic work — are generally not available on the NHS. If cost matters, it is worth asking a practice directly what is available on the NHS and what would be private before treatment begins.
Types of dental care
- General/family dentistry — check-ups, fillings, hygiene, extractions.
- Cosmetic dentistry — whitening, veneers, bonding (usually private).
- Orthodontics — braces and aligners; available on the NHS for under-18s who meet clinical need, otherwise private.
- Emergency dental care — for severe pain, swelling or trauma. NHS 111 can help you find urgent dental care out of hours.
Choosing a practice
Check that the practice is GDC-registered, look at its CQC rating where available, and confirm whether it is taking on new NHS patients if that's what you need. This page is information only and is not dental or medical advice — for a diagnosis or treatment, see a registered dentist.
Last updated: 2026-07-22