The average UK dental check-up now costs £55 – and a watchdog is investigating why prices keep climbing
Brits are facing steeper bills for routine dental care, with the average price of a private routine check-up now sitting at £55 for existing patients as more people are pushed into the private sector amid ongoing NHS access problems.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on Thursday (5 March) that it is launching a full market study into the £8.4 billion private dentistry sector to determine whether it is delivering good value, transparency, and fair outcomes for consumers.
The probe comes at the request of Chancellor Rachel Reeves and follows sharp price rises in recent years. According to CMA analysis, routine check-ups for existing patients rose more than 14% between 2022 and 2024, reaching £55 on average, while initial consultations increased over 23% to £80 during the same period.
These increases have outpaced general inflation, raising questions about competition and pricing practices in a market where private services now dominate.
Private dentistry accounted for over two-thirds (69%) of the overall dental market in 2025, driven largely by difficulties in accessing NHS treatment.
Recent surveys show that one in five people in Great Britain used private dental care in 2024, and 29% of adults in England relied exclusively on private services in 2023/2024.
Many patients turn to private options out of necessity: 36% reported being unable to get any NHS treatment, 31% faced unacceptable delays, and 25% encountered practices that had stopped offering NHS services altogether.
“Going to the dentist is an important part of health and wellbeing, yet we’re concerned many may be uncertain about costs, availability, treatment options and what they’re entitled to. For some, turning to private dentistry is a choice – but for many, it’s a necessity. People need clear, accessible information at the right time so they can make the right decisions for themselves and their families,” said Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA.
The market study will examine a broad range of issues, including:
- How easy it is for consumers to find and switch between private providers.
- Transparency around pricing, treatment options, and what patients are actually entitled to.
- Whether business practices – such as misleading information, overtreatment, or anti-competitive behaviour – are harming consumers.
- The effectiveness of complaints and redress systems.
- The role of regulation in supporting better outcomes.
The review will cover both essential dental care and cosmetic treatments but will not focus solely on the NHS system, though it will consider how NHS shortages influence the private market. Variations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will also be taken into account.
