UK Dentistry Review: CMA Investigates Rising Private Dental Costs
The UK’s private dentistry market is under scrutiny as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launches a formal review following significant price increases, with initial consultations rising by over 23% between 2022 and 2024 to an average of £80. This investigation comes as more Britons find themselves turning to private dental care, often due to difficulties accessing timely treatment within the National Health Service (NHS).
The CMA’s review, announced on March 5, 2026, will examine whether the £8 billion private dentistry sector is functioning effectively for consumers. It will consider issues ranging from the ease of finding a dentist and understanding pricing structures to knowing what recourse is available if treatment goes wrong. The regulator estimates that one in five people in Great Britain used private dental care in 2024, a figure driven in part by the challenges facing the NHS system.
The Rising Cost of Care and the NHS Context
The price increases aren’t occurring in isolation. Dentists are increasingly opting out of providing NHS-funded care, citing that the fees offered by the NHS often don’t cover the actual costs of treatment. This creates a situation where patients face longer waiting lists for NHS appointments, effectively pushing them towards the private sector. The British Dental Association (BDA) has highlighted that the NHS service is currently reliant on a “cross subsidy of over £400m a year from private activity to break even,” illustrating the financial pressures within the system. Cases of individuals resorting to self-treatment, such as pulling their own teeth due to lack of access to emergency NHS dental care, have also been reported, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Guardian reported on these cases last year.
What the CMA Will Investigate
The CMA’s investigation isn’t intended as a critique of dental professionals or the quality of care they provide. Instead, it’s a broad examination of how the market operates for patients. Specifically, the CMA will focus on three key areas: finding a dentist, understanding the costs involved, and knowing where to turn for urgent dental needs. To aid consumers, the CMA has also published an online guide to aid individuals navigate the process of selecting and paying for dental treatment.
Concerns About Transparency and Choice
Sarah Cardell, the CMA’s chief executive, expressed concern that many patients may be unsure about costs, treatment options, and their rights when seeking private dental care. “For some, turning to private dentistry is a choice – but for many, it’s a necessity,” she stated. The CMA is actively seeking input from both consumers and dental professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market’s dynamics. This call for evidence aims to build a clear picture of how the private dentistry market functions in practice.
Market Size and Political Pressure
The UK private dentistry market is substantial, valued at £8.4 billion in 2023/2024 and accounting for over two-thirds (69%) of the overall dental market in 2025. The review wasn’t initiated in a vacuum; in November 2025, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves urged the CMA to investigate the industry, citing concerns about “hidden costs, lack of transparency and overtreatment.” This political pressure highlights the growing awareness of the challenges facing patients seeking dental care.
What Happens Next: A Market Study and Potential Regulatory Changes
The CMA’s review is a “market study,” a process that allows the regulator to gather information and assess whether there are competition problems within a specific sector. The study will involve collecting data from dental practices, interviewing patients, and analyzing market trends. The CMA will then publish a report outlining its findings and any potential remedies. These remedies could range from increased transparency requirements for dental practices to changes in how the industry is regulated. The BDA has stated it will cooperate with the CMA, aiming to “spell out the facts” about the realities of delivering private dentistry.
The outcome of this review could have significant implications for both patients and dental professionals. Whereas the CMA has emphasized that the review is not a criticism of clinicians, it signals a willingness to intervene if it finds that the market is not serving consumers effectively. The BDA, however, frames the investigation as a response to the government’s underfunding of NHS dental care, arguing that the issues stem from systemic problems within the public system rather than failings in the private sector. The Financial Times reported on this dynamic.
The CMA is expected to publish its findings and any proposed remedies within the next year. Consumers and dental professionals are encouraged to share their experiences with the CMA through the online forms available on the CMA’s website. This review represents a critical step in addressing the challenges facing the UK’s dental care system and ensuring that patients have access to affordable, high-quality treatment.