The UK Competition and Markets Authority has officially launched a market study into the private dental sector, with initial consultation prices rising by over 23% within two years.

Image source: GOV.UK

DentalGoodNews | The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) officially announced on March 5, 2026, the launch of a market study into the UK's private dentistry market, covering both basic dental treatment and cosmetic dental services. The CMA simultaneously published a statement of scope, opening a call for evidence from consumers and dental professionals.

Price data was the direct trigger for this regulatory intervention. According to data from the independent research firm MyTribeInsurance, between 2022 and 2024, the cost of a private dental initial consultation in the UK rose by over 23% to £80 (approximately RMB 735.84); the cost of a routine check-up for existing patients increased by over 14% to £55 (approximately RMB 505.89). Concurrently, in 2024, one-fifth of UK adults used private dental services (official data source: Denplan 2024 UK Adults Survey), with private services accounting for approximately 69% of the overall dental market (2025). The UK private dentistry market was valued at £8.4 billion (approximately RMB 77.263 billion) (2023/2024, official data source: LaingBuisson).

The British Dental Association (BDA) points out that a significant number of dentists have left the National Health Service (NHS) system because its fee structure does not cover their costs. Private practices provide over £400 million (approximately RMB 3.679 billion) in cross-subsidies to NHS work annually just to break even. Data from a 2024 General Dental Council survey shows that 36% of patients turned to private care because they could not access NHS services, 31% due to inability to get a timely NHS appointment, and 25% because their previous practice stopped offering NHS services.

The CMA clarified that this study will not directly examine the NHS dental system but will consider the impact of the NHS's operation on the private market, including knock-on effects on patient choice and service accessibility.

The CMA's published statement of scope indicates the investigation will focus on the following areas: service accessibility (geographical coverage density and referral convenience), consumer information and choice (price transparency, practice comparison, disparities for vulnerable groups), price changes (relative to inflation), business practices (whether unfair, misleading, or anti-competitive conduct exists), quality of competition, complaint and redress channels, and the effectiveness of the existing regulatory framework.

This market study was requested by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves in a letter to the CMA in November 2025, calling for a review of consumers' ability to choose and secure value for money in the private dentistry market. The CMA stated that the study's conclusions could lead to: recommendations to governments for regulatory reform, direct enforcement action by the CMA, or the issuance of compliance guidance for dental businesses. The findings may also influence dental policy directions in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (dental services are a devolved matter).

The BDA stated it will engage with the study and will explain the "complex reality" of operating private dentistry to the CMA. BDA Chair Eddie Crouch noted that patients turning to private care due to lack of NHS access is "entirely a consequence of Treasury decisions."

CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said: "For many, moving to private dentistry is not a choice, it's a necessity."

The CMA has also published practical advice for consumers and established an online channel for submitting evidence.

Sources and Reference Links

• CMA official press release (2026-03-05): https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-launches-review-of-private-dentistry
• CMA market study case page: https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/private-dental-services-market-study
• CMA statement of scope (PDF): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69a80b13622103d52c1a9b65/Statement_of_scope.pdf
• The Guardian (2026-03-05): https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/05/uk-competition-watchdog-to-review-private-dentistry-market-after-prices-rise
• MyTribeInsurance price research: https://www.mytribeinsurance.co.uk/news/private-dental-costs-soar-our-research
• Denplan 2024 survey: https://www.denplan.co.uk/the-core/industry-and-company-news/paying-for-private-dental-care
• LaingBuisson market report: https://www.laingbuisson.com/press-releases/the-uk-high-street-dentistry-market-value-rises-to-12-16-billion-as-continued-challenges-accessing-nhs-dentists-push-people-towards-private-dentistry-according-to-a-new-report-by-la/
• General Dental Council (GDC) 2024 survey: https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/reports-and-publications/views-and-experiences-of-dentistry---2024-survey-of-the-uk-public.pdf
• Chancellor's letter to the CMA: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-correspondence-in-relation-to-private-provision-in-the-dentistry-market