Each year, more patients in the UK are turning to private dental practices to access the care they need. As of this summer, almost a third of people in England use, or have used, private dental services in the past year, representing a whopping 10% increase since just 2023.
There are many reasons why you might be considering the switch to private this summer. The state of NHS dentistry currently is dire, and to help you understand the differences between the two (and why going private is preferable), we have put together this guide to private vs public care.
Why are Patients Choosing Private Dental Practices?
In certain areas of the UK, there are no dentists accepting new NHS patients, and scheduled appointments are becoming harder to come by.
The mounting pressures on NHS practices have rendered subsidised dental care essentially unavailable for many UK adults, and right now private dentistry isn’t just the most attractive option: it is often the only one available.
More Appointments Available
As we have already touched upon, there are fewer dentists offering NHS appointments - and those remaining slots are in higher demand than ever.
According to NHS England statistics, only 78% of UK patients who tried to see an NHS dentist last year were successful, leaving the remaining 22% without an appointment. On top of this, a quarter of those who had not tried to get an NHS appointment said that this was because they thought that they would be unable to do so, having already heard just how difficult it was to secure one.
Shorter Wait Times
Having to wait for an appointment is an uncomfortable experience at best, and a dangerous delay at worst, and the consequences of not being able to attend routine checkups go far beyond teeth.
What starts as a simple issue may soon worsen into an infection, and spread from the mouth to other areas of the body. Similarly, since NHS appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis, patients may struggle to get one at a time that suits them. Factor in the time spent travelling to the nearest NHS practice, which may be many miles away, and most patients are now waiting until emergency care is needed to try for an appointment.
Focus on Preventative Care
Earlier this year, the government announced its intention to deliver 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments. As part of this initiative, British dentists are now required to offer a number of additional appointments: however, these appointments are for urgent or unscheduled dental treatments only.
Currently, issues like tooth decay are not considered eligible for these additional appointments, resulting in patients with treatable issues being unable to access the care they need until their conditions become clinically urgent and in need of extensive intervention that could have been avoided.
Why are Londoners Choosing Riverside Dental Spa?
Looking for a private dental practice in London?
Here’s why we should be your first choice when going private this summer.
No Waiting Lists
It may seem impossible to register with a dentist right now, but at Riverside Dental Spa, we are currently accepting new patients, with no delays and no waiting lists.
Whether you require urgent treatment after months of waiting for an NHS appointment, or simply haven’t had a checkup in a while, it’s time to book the appointments you need, when you need them.
Plus, if you do require immediate treatment, then we also offer our own emergency appointments within 24 hours. All you have to do is get in touch.
A Range of Treatments
With mostly urgent appointments available on the NHS, it might not be possible for you to access the treatments that you want.
Non-essential procedures are generally not covered by the NHS, but we offer a range of cosmetic and restorative treatments to suit your budget and transform your smile, including:
- Implants, including All-on-4
- Crowns and bridges
- Dental veneers
- Teeth whitening
- Invisalign
And more, all covered by our great value maintenance plans.
Affordable Dental Plans
With more patients than ever turning to private dental practices like ours, we aim to make your treatments easier to budget for with ongoing maintenance plans.
We offer 2 dental plans to help you spread the cost of your routine care, as well as up to 12 months 0% finance on additional treatments. With no deposit and no extra costs, our flexible finance options put your smile first and allow you to pay for the care you need in manageable installments.
Plus, we run regular special offers to help you save even more on treatments such as Invisalign, teeth whitening, and even entire smile makeovers.
Your Local Private Dental Practice in London
Right now, we have a special offer just for you, so if you’ve been waiting for that sign to go private, then this is it!
Until 31st August 2026, our New Patient Assessments are available for just £85 (usually £99), and include 2 bitewing x-rays at the discounted price.
Take advantage of this new patient offer today by calling 020 7091 0677 or click here to fill in our online enquiry form at your convenience.
