Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate private dentistry amid concerns over hidden costs.
The minister, preparing to announce her budget next week, cited “hidden costs, lack of transparency and overtreatment” as factors affecting families in need of dental care. Reeves urged “urgent action” to bring down prices, according to the Mirror.
The British Dental Association (BDA) criticized the move. Chair Eddie Crouch said: “This call for an investigation is utterly perverse. The chancellor is singling out private dentists for doing what any business does: covering their costs, some of which are of her own making. Meanwhile, NHS services continue to face chronic underfunding. Profits from private care are keeping NHS dentistry afloat.”
The announcement follows a surge in public concern over NHS dental access. More than 120,000 people signed a 38 Degrees petition calling for increased government funding for NHS dentistry. Campaigners delivered the petition to the Department of Health and Social Care, including a stunt featuring a fake “DIY dentist” with a DIY kit.
A UK-wide poll by Survation for 38 Degrees highlighted how costs are affecting access to dental care. Over the past 12 months, 34% of respondents said dentist fees often made it harder to get healthcare, rising to 37% among 18–34-year-olds and 38% for those aged 35–44.
The figure reaches 40% for residents in the North East, and 40% among Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean, or African respondents, with 39% among Asian British participants.
Households with a mortgage reported difficulty at 41%, while 39% of Reform UK supporters cited cost as a barrier—the highest among political groups surveyed.
As dental bills continue to burden families, the CMA inquiry aims to improve transparency and affordability in private dentistry, while debate intensifies over funding for NHS dental services.
