University Savings Spent on Private Dental Care
Last summer, Deacon Galloway was preparing to start university. His grandparents had been saving money to assist with his expenses, but he encountered an unforeseen cost.
Deacon required dental treatment but was unable to find an NHS dentist near his home in North Yorkshire.
Now 19 and a student at the University of Manchester, Deacon felt compelled to seek private dental care. The treatment cost him nearly £800—approximately one-third of the savings his grandparents had accumulated—for two fillings and two replacement fillings. Under NHS rules, this treatment would have been free as he was under 19 and in full-time education.
"It was really upsetting, but I had no choice,"
he says. "I knew if I didn't get my teeth done they would get worse."
Rising Costs Amid NHS Access Challenges
This situation reflects a widespread dilemma caused by difficulties accessing NHS dental care.
For years, reports have highlighted the issue, with some areas in the UK described as 'dental deserts' where NHS dentists are unavailable.
According to the General Dental Council, about one-third of dental patients in the UK pay privately for treatment, though fewer than 20% choose to do so voluntarily.
BBC Your Voice has received numerous accounts from individuals who felt forced to use private dental services, often resorting to savings or loans to cover costs. This occurs alongside rapidly increasing private dental fees.
A UK-wide analysis by MyTribe Insurance revealed that initial consultation fees rose by 23% over two years, averaging £80, while simple tooth extractions increased by 32% to £139. Root canal treatment costs varied widely, with some locations charging up to £660 compared to an average of £400.
In contrast, NHS dental treatment is subsidised by UK governments, making it free for certain groups or subject to capped fees within three price bands for others.
For example, NHS root canal treatment costs are approximately one-fifth of private fees.
MyTribe Insurance warned that soaring private sector prices and limited NHS access are causing patients to struggle to afford essential dental care.
Investigation into Private Dentistry Practices
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating whether dentists are exploiting the shortage of NHS care. The inquiry examines price increases and how dentists communicate costs and treatment options to patients. Many dental practices offer a combination of NHS and private services.
Rebecca Curtayne from Healthwatch England, a patient advocacy group, expressed concerns about the high cost of private dentistry. She noted that people in deprived and rural areas are disproportionately affected due to poorer NHS access and lower ability to pay private fees.
For Deacon, the £800 dental bill meant he could not afford specialist equipment to support his studies.
"It has just made juggling everything more difficult this year. It shouldn't be like this."
Pregnancy and Dental Care Challenges
Another individual, Sophie Bingham, a 32-year-old mother from Suffolk, shared her experience with Your Voice.
Since age 18, Sophie has paid for private dental treatment but became frustrated when she could not access free NHS care during pregnancy. In the UK, pregnant women are entitled to free NHS dental treatment due to increased risks to dental health from hormonal changes, morning sickness, and acid reflux.
Although Sophie had a maternity exemption certificate, she was informed it was not valid at private dental practices.
She paid for dental check-ups throughout her pregnancy and the first year after childbirth, eventually requiring a £200 filling.
"I certainly think pregnancy affected my teeth – that's why it was so frustrating not to get the free dental care I was entitled to. I was paying out £70 for check-ups, but could not afford as many as I would have liked. It was too expensive,"
she says.
"That is money that I should have been able to put towards my daughter."
British Dental Association's Perspective
The British Dental Association (BDA) expresses sympathy for patients who feel compelled to pay for private care.
"Millions make a positive decision to go private,"
says BDA chair Eddie Crouch. "But many have felt forced to do so or simply gone without the care they need."
Crouch maintains that recent price increases are justified due to high inflation in the dental sector.
He also explains that dentists often need to supplement income from private patients to offset inadequate NHS payments.
In its submission to the CMA investigation, the BDA estimates that providing NHS dentistry in England costs £4.2 billion annually, but government funding covers only £3 billion, leaving a £1.2 billion shortfall.
The BDA argues this funding gap is a primary reason why dental practices are shifting toward more private work. Data suggests about one-third of practices aim to increase private services, and over a quarter operate as private-only.
Potential Impact and Calls for Reform
Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust health think-tank, warns that if this trend continues, it could have devastating consequences.
At a time when many face cost-of-living pressures, she says this risks "locking people out of care altogether" and urges urgent reform of the "broken NHS system."
Governments across the UK are increasing investment in NHS dentistry and revising dental contracts to improve patient choice. England plans a complete overhaul of NHS dentistry by 2029.
The Department of Health and Social Care in England emphasizes the need to hold private dentistry accountable, which underpins the CMA's investigation.
"Families up and down the country are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living and no-one should have to choose between paying their bills and looking after their teeth,"
a spokesman said.
Additional reporting by Kris Bramwell.
