Chancellor calls for probe into private dental treatment fees

Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has called for an investigation into the cost of private dental treatment in the UK.

She has asked the UK watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority, to probe costs amid mounting concern about a sharp increase in prices.

Prices for private dental treatment have climbed sharply in recent years, according to research by myTribe Insurance, a website providing information about private healthcare and insurance.

The research, published in December last year, found that patients were paying up to 32% more for private dental procedures in 2024 compared with 2022.

An analysis of data from 450 private dental practices found the average cost of a white filling had increased 23% to £129 last year, while the average cost of a tooth extraction had risen 32% to £139.

Reeves said: “The scourge of hidden costs, lack of transparency, and overtreatment has blighted families in need of dental treatment for too long.

“That’s why I want to see urgent action taken to help reduce prices, while the cost of living still puts pressure on families across the country.” 

A spokesperson for the CMA said they ‘welcome the request from the chancellor to carry out a study into the private dental care market’.

“This is an important market that needs to work well for consumers,” they added.

“We have been exploring the merits of work in this area and will be developing a specific proposal to put to our board.” Reeves’ request to the CMA comes after ministers forced out the regulator’s then chair, Marcus Bokkerink, in January of this year, because of concerns that the watchdog was not sufficiently focused on growth.

The dental sector has said the Government’s increase in employer national insurance contributions in last year’s Budget has pushed up costs for practices and played a role in the increase in prices for private treatment.

A shortage of dentists, combined with strong demand for their services, has enabled practices to push up their charges for private procedures, according to one trade body.

Neil Carmichael, executive chair of the Association of Dental Groups, said: “Without a significant increase in new dentists, consequential inflationary pressures are bound to be felt across the sector.

“Many ADG members have already found recent increases in national insurance and costs for essential supplies to be difficult to absorb.”

Dentists have also flagged major problems with the NHS dental contract, which has contributed to long waiting times for treatment on the NHS.