Reeves calls on regulator to investigate steep private dental charges

Rachel Reeves has asked the UK competition watchdog to investigate the cost of private dental treatment over concerns about surging prices, where some treatments like a simple tooth extraction have risen by as much as 32%.

The chancellor now wants the CMA to launch a market study following concerns that some patients could be paying over the odds on hidden costs, overtreatment and a lack of information on price and quality of treatment that are not always transparent.

Other reports have emerged that private practices are taking on children under NHS care, but only if parents sign on as private clients.

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Reeves said: “I want to see urgent action taken to help reduce prices, whilst the cost of living still puts pressure on families across the country.”

A spokesperson for the CMA said it recognised the private dental sector as an important market that needs to work well for consumers.

If you're interested in private healthcare, we look at it in a different article.

How much have dental costs gone up by?

The cost of private dental treatment surged between 2022 and 2024, according to MyTribe Insurance, which provides information about private healthcare and insurance.

Simple tooth extractions saw the steepest price hike of all common treatments - jumping from £105 to £139 (32%).

White filling implants rose from £105 to £129 (23%) while root canal treatment went up from £350 to £400 (14%).

Private patients in the South West or East of England can expect to pay the highest prices, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland typically pay up to 30% less on average.

Dental groups have said practices are simply covering costs amid rising inflation and to cover an increase in employer costs.

Employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) rose from 13.8% to 15% in April 2025, and the rate at which they are paid was lowered from £9,100 to £5,000, adding to employee costs for businesses.

Neil Carmichael, executive chair of the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), said: “Without a significant increase in new dentists, consequential inflationary pressures are bound to be felt across the sector.

“Many ADG members have already found recent increases in national insurance and costs for essential supplies to be difficult to absorb.”

Meanwhile, Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association (BDA), said private dentists were just “covering their costs” claiming profits from private care are “what keeps NHS dentistry afloat”.

NHS dentistry is also in crisis as patients struggle to book appointments.

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows 82% of new adult patients were unable to access NHS dental care in May 2025.

Some areas of England struggling from a chronic lack of NHS dental care have been described as “dental deserts”.

Dentists have raised concerns over the terms of the NHS contract, which they say has left them unable to cover their costs, while funding for NHS dental care has been falling since 2006.

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