Private dentists are taking advantage of gaps in NHS treatment by raising prices for fillings, exams and tooth extractions to “eye-watering” levels, a study has found.
The cost of common dental treatments has increased since 2022, with patients paying as much as £775 for a root canal, £435 for a tooth extracted and £325 for a white filling.
The cost of many treatments has risen above inflation over the past two years, with the average cost of a non-surgical extraction rising by 32%, as many people are forced to seek treatment outside the NHS. Dental surgeries across the UK (compared to private clinic prices) have been discovered.
Patient groups say NHS support has become so difficult to access and the cost of private treatment so expensive that some people with dental problems are being left out of treatment altogether. I warned you.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “The cost of private dental care has become a huge issue for patients who struggle to access NHS dental care and for those who choose to receive private dental care. “Rising costs are putting essential treatment out of reach for many people.”
“This creates a dangerous cycle in which oral health deteriorates while patients are shuttled between inaccessible NHS systems and unaffordable private care. This means they have no viable means of accessing proper dental care.”
Prices have increased dramatically over the past two years, with patients now paying 14% to 32% more for the same treatment than they would have in 2022. According to research, MyTribe Insurancetracks the cost of private health insurance and different types of paid care across the UK.
After analyzing data covering six common treatments from 450 private dental practices in 52 towns and cities in the UK, we found that the average costs were:
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White fillings went from £105 to £129, a 23% increase.
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Extraction increased from 105 pounds to 139 pounds, a 32% increase.
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30 minute scales and polishes now cost £75, up from £65, a 15% increase.
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First consultation fees for new patients will rise by 23% from £65 to £80.
In addition, routine check-ups have increased by 15% from £48 to £55, and the average cost of anterior root canal treatment has increased by 14% from £350 to £400. But MyTribe found that many surgeries cost even more. For example, a root canal can cost between £366 in Northern Ireland and £775 in the East Midlands.
To have a tooth removed, you can pay £435 in the East of England and £350 in the South East and South West. And to eat white stuffing in the east of England, you have to pay £325.
“Given recent significant price increases, some of the prices currently being charged for private dental care are dizzying, leaving so many people in need of help with their dental health. It's beyond our budget,” Power said.
1 in 5 peopleIn the UK, two in five people on low incomes already avoid going to the dentist because they think it's too expensive, according to research by statutory patient advocacy group Healthwatch. The newspaper said the recent increase in private treatment costs was “alarming”.
Louise Ansari, CEO of Healthwatch, said the survey on private treatment costs “highlights the alarming picture of access to dental care for those who can't afford it”, with particular emphasis on He said that given the failure of the previous government's efforts to encourage doctors to see new NHS patients. .
There are significant differences in the amounts charged by private dentists in the four countries. For example, the most expensive white filling in the UK this year cost £198.90 in Watford, but you can buy it for £70 in Luton, just 27 miles away.
Milton Keynes is another one of the most important places to get treatment. The cost of extraction there is £242, but in Dundee it's just £75.93. Tests also cost £70 in Dundee and just £33 in the latter.
Similarly, the three most expensive root canals are in Cambridge (£660), Watford (£609) and Bournemouth (£550), while the cheapest are in Aberdeen (£250), Bangor (£250) and Belfast. (250 pounds). .
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“Our research clearly shows the growing financial burden felt by the public in accessing dental care. NHS dental services are under threat and people are struggling to find affordable dental care. This is concerning because we need affordable and accessible alternative services,” said Chris Steele, founder of MyTribe.
“When looking for a dentist, I recommend shopping around. Most companies publish their prices on their websites, and taking the time to compare prices upfront will help you save money in the long run. can save you a lot of money.”
He also advised patients to closely check the cost of more complex procedures such as tooth extractions and root canals, as these often have the greatest price difference. Consider joining a clinic membership program that may include discounts. Additionally, if you have private health insurance, you may be able to recoup some of your dental treatment costs.
Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association, which represents dentists, said “huge inflationary pressures” on dentistry, such as energy and test costs, and budget-driven cost increases helped explain the rise in prices. He said that
But GPs are also charging higher fees to cover the cost of treating NHS patients. That's because the fees they receive don't cover the costs involved, he said.
“Private practitioners have the option to reflect rising costs in their prices. NHS charges are fixed, but a generation of underfunding means many treatments are being provided at a financial loss.” ' added Mr Crouch. “Private dental care has effectively cross-subsidized deficit-paying NHS care.”
Dentists claim they have increasingly taken on private practice in recent years because the remuneration they receive for providing NHS-funded treatment has not kept pace with rising costs.
In response to MyTribe's investigation, Neil Carmichael, executive chairman of the Association of Dental Bodies, said a widespread shortage of dentists was also driving up prices.
“This is a typical result of limited supply and huge demand,” he says. “ADG has been warning for some time that dentistry as a whole needs more than 3,000 more dentists across the NHS and private sector.
“This large gap means that access to all dental care is reduced. Therefore, as patient demand continues and overhead costs increase, upward pressure on prices is inevitable. No.”
