UK Competition Watchdog to Scrutinise Private Dentistry Market After Sharp Price Increases
The UK's competition regulator has initiated a comprehensive review of the private dentistry sector, valued at £8.4bn, following data revealing a significant 23% rise in consultation fees over a two-year period. This move comes as one in five people in Great Britain now seek private dental care, often out of necessity due to difficulties accessing NHS treatment.
Steep Price Hikes and Growing Demand
According to independent price data cited by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the cost of an initial dental consultation increased by over 23% between 2022 and 2024, reaching £80. Routine check-ups for existing patients also saw a notable rise, climbing by more than 14% to £55. The CMA emphasised that this review is not intended as a criticism of dental professionals or the quality of care they provide but rather as an examination of market functionality for consumers.
Sarah Cardell, the CMA's chief executive, highlighted concerns that many individuals may be uncertain about costs, availability, and treatment options when turning to private services. "For some, turning to private dentistry is a choice – but for many, it's a necessity," she stated, urging people across the UK to share their experiences to help build a clearer picture of the market's operations.
NHS Crisis Fuels Private Sector Growth
The private dentistry market's expansion is set against a backdrop of an NHS dental service in severe crisis. The British Dental Association (BDA) reports that dentists are increasingly abandoning NHS-funded work because fees for many procedures fail to cover associated costs. This has led to alarming situations, such as cases reported by the Guardian where individuals resorted to pulling their own teeth due to an inability to access emergency dental care in England.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, pointed to government funding decisions as a key driver, noting that NHS contracts often operate at a loss, relying on a cross-subsidy of over £400m annually from private activities to break even. The BDA has previously criticised government calls for pricing investigations as a distraction from inadequate NHS funding.
Scope of the CMA Review and Political Context
The CMA's review will focus on several critical issues, including:
- Challenges in finding a dentist
- Transparency and understanding of pricing structures
- Access to information for urgent treatment options
In response, the watchdog has launched an online guide to assist consumers in choosing and paying for dental treatments. While the review may lead to regulatory changes or direct action, the CMA reiterated its aim to ensure the market works effectively for UK consumers.
This investigation follows a November 2025 request from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who urged the CMA to examine the industry to alleviate cost-of-living pressures, citing concerns over hidden costs, lack of transparency, and risks of overtreatment. With private dental services now accounting for over two-thirds of the market, the outcome of this review could have significant implications for both consumers and practitioners across the country.
