Reeves demands that the regulator look into exorbitant private dental fees

Concerned about rising dental costs that effectively keep people out of the system, the chancellor has asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate the high costs of dental care

Concerned about rising costs, Rachel Reeves has requested that the UK competition watchdog look into the cost of private dental care. For example, the cost of a basic tooth extraction has increased by up to 32%.

In response to worries that some patients may be overpaying due to hidden expenses, overtreatment, and a lack of transparent information regarding treatment quality and cost, the chancellor now wants the CMA to conduct a market study.

According to other reports, private practices are accepting children under NHS care, but only if parents agree to become private clients.

"I want to see urgent action taken to help reduce prices, as the cost of living continues to put pressure on families across the country," Reeves stated. A "

The CMA acknowledged the private dental industry as a significant market that must function well for customers, according to a CMA spokesman.

We examine private healthcare in another article if you're interested.

How much has the cost of dental care increased?

According to MyTribe Insurance, which offers information on private healthcare and insurance, the price of private dental care increased between 2022 and 2024.

Of all common treatments, simple tooth extractions saw the biggest price increase, going from 105 to 139 (32 percent).

Root canal therapy increased from 350 to 400 (14%) while white filling implants increased from 105 to 129 (23%).

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

According to dental associations, practices are merely covering expenses in light of growing inflation and rising employer costs.

In April 2025, employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) increased from 13.8 percent to 15 percent, and the rate at which they are paid was reduced from 9,100 to 5,000, increasing employee expenses for companies.

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

"Recent increases in national insurance and the price of necessary supplies have already proven to be difficult for many ADG members to absorb. A "

In the meantime, private dentists were only "covering their costs," according to Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association (BDA), who asserted that private care profits are "what keeps NHS dentistry afloat."

Patients are having difficulty scheduling appointments, which is another crisis facing NHS dentistry.

In May 2025, 82% of new adult patients were unable to receive dental care from the NHS, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics.

Some parts of England have been referred to as "dental deserts" due to a persistent lack of NHS dental care.

While funding for NHS dental care has been declining since 2006, dentists have expressed concerns about the terms of the NHS contract, claiming it has left them unable to cover their costs.

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