Chancellor Rachel Reeves has urged the UK competition watchdog to investigate the cost of private dental treatment, citing growing concern over sharp price increases.
In a letter to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Reeves requested a market study into “private dentistry costs and practices,” warning that patients may be paying more than necessary for essential dental care.
Private Dental Prices Surge
Research by myTribe Insurance, a private healthcare information website, shows that prices for private dental treatment have risen significantly in recent years. Data from 450 private practices indicate that, on average, the cost of a white filling rose 23 percent to £129 in 2024, while a tooth extraction increased 32 percent to £139. Overall, some procedures were up to 32 percent more expensive than in 2022.
Reeves said: “The scourge of hidden costs, lack of transparency, and overtreatment has blighted families in need of dental care for too long. That’s why I want urgent action to reduce prices while the cost of living continues to put pressure on families across the country.”
CMA Welcomes the Request
A CMA spokesperson confirmed that the agency “welcomes the request from the chancellor to carry out a study into the private dental care market.” They added: “This is an important market that needs to work well for consumers. We have been exploring the merits of work in this area and will be developing a specific proposal to put to our board.”
Background on Regulatory and Cost Pressures
Reeves’ call comes after ministers removed the CMA’s chair, Marcus Bokkerink, earlier this year amid concerns that the watchdog had not focused enough on growth. The government has since balanced its deregulatory agenda with efforts to address public concern over the rising cost of living.
The dental sector has pointed to last year’s increase in employer national insurance contributions as a factor driving higher costs for private treatment. A shortage of dentists, combined with strong demand, has also allowed practices to raise charges for private procedures.
Neil Carmichael, executive chair of the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), explained: “Without a significant increase in new dentists, inflationary pressures will continue to affect the sector. Many ADG members have already found recent increases in national insurance and essential supply costs difficult to absorb.”
NHS Contract Challenges Fuel Private Price Hikes
Dentists have highlighted problems with the NHS dental contract as another driver of rising private costs. Under the current system, practices are paid set fees to deliver a specific number of “units of dental activity” each year. Critics argue that simple and complex procedures, such as root canal surgery, are often remunerated at the same rate.
This has left some practices struggling to cover the cost of NHS work, pushing them to increase private fees to compensate.