Inside the CMA review of private dentistry

Following the announcement last week that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to undertake a review of private dentistry, Dentist Times editor, Jo Makosinski, has spoken to the study leads and looks more closely at how the probe will be carried out

Earlier this month The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced it will undertake a review of private dentistry following a request from Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, over mounting concern about a sharp increase in prices.

The market study into the £8bn private dentistry sector will decide if it is working well for UK consumers and will cover both essential care and cosmetic treatments.

And it is seeking feedback from consumers and dental professionals as it explores how well the market is working – from finding a dentist and understanding prices to knowing where to go if something goes wrong.

On the day the probe was announced, the CMA released advice for consumers – as well as 3 top tips – to help them understand private dental costs, explore available options, and know what to expect before starting treatment.

It has also issued a Call for Views, which asks dental professionals to share their experiences of private dental services, in particular, the services they provide, the challenges they face, and their views on how consumers make treatment choices.

Dentists have until 19 March to give their responses, a process which the CMA says should take less than 10 minutes.

And it has provided an online Roadmap to take dental professionals and patients through the likely timeline for the study, which, under the Enterprise Act 2002, will need to report its findings by 4 March 2027.

To ensure the probe covers all the pressing points, the CMA wants to hear from interested parties on the proposed scope of the investigation and what they expect from any findings and recommendations.

The deadline for responses for this is 2 April.

The CMA has also published a market study notice, which sets out the legal scope of the study.

In addition, a webinar will be held on 18 March for stakeholders on how the market study will run. It will be led by Jennifer Halliday (SRO), Daniel Rawling and Nicola Brown (project directors).

The CMA hopes feedback from these approaches, and ongoing engagement with the sector, will help it understand how the private dentistry sector works, and whether any changes are needed.

And it wants a broad perspective from both large players and independent practices to help it do this.

It is expected the year-long probe will result in market recommendations and/or calls for changes to the way the sector is regulated.

But the CMA also said it is going into the process ‘with an open mind’ and will ‘be led by the evidence’ when coming to any conclusions.

Reeves asked the CMA to carry out the study 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.”