To change your NHS dentist, you book an appointment at a new practice and go to it. That is all. There is no form to leave your old practice and no transfer process. This is because you are not registered with an NHS dentist in England the way you are with a GP.
The hard part is finding a new practice with space for NHS patients. So find the new practice first, and only then stop going to the old one.
Step 1: Find a practice taking new NHS patients
You can go to any NHS practice in England. There are no catchment areas.
Start with our NHS dentist directory. It lists London practices by borough and shows the date we last checked whether each one is taking new NHS patients. The nhs.uk “Find a dentist” service has similar information. Practices must confirm it at least every 90 days.
Then call. A listing can be out of date by the time you read it. Ask these questions:
- “Are you taking new adult NHS patients for routine care, not just urgent appointments?”
- “How long is the wait for a first appointment?”
- “After the first appointment, will you invite me back for check-ups on the NHS?”
If the answer is no, try other practices, and try other boroughs. Some London boroughs have much better NHS access than others. If you cannot find anywhere, our guide to finding an NHS dentist in London explains what to do next, including how to contact your integrated care board (ICB), the NHS body that pays for dental services in your area.
Step 2: Book and go to your first appointment
You do not need a referral or a letter from your old practice. The new practice may ask you to fill in a form with your details and medical history. This puts you on its own list of patients.
The first appointment is an examination. The dentist checks your teeth and gums, may take X-rays, and tells you what treatment you need and what it will cost. On its own it is Band 1, which costs £27.90 in 2026/27. If you then need fillings, the whole course becomes Band 2 at £76.60. You do not pay the £27.90 as well. Our guide to NHS dental charges explains the bands.
Step 3: Get a copy of your records, if you want them
Your old practice keeps your dental records. You have a legal right to a copy. Ask the practice in writing. It must usually reply within 1 month, and it cannot normally charge you.
You do not have to do this. Most new dentists will do their own full examination anyway. Recent X-rays are the most useful part, because the new dentist may not need to take them again.
Step 4: Tell your old practice, if you have appointments booked
You do not have to tell your old practice that you are leaving. But if you have an appointment booked, cancel it, so the time can go to someone else. The old practice will take you off its list in time if you stop going.
Before you switch: finish any treatment you have started
This is the one point where timing matters.
Say your dentist found 3 fillings and has done 1. You have paid, or will pay, Band 2 at your current practice. If you leave now, the new practice will start a new course of treatment. You will pay Band 2 again for the other 2 fillings. If you finish at your current practice, you pay once.
Also think about the 12-month guarantee. NHS fillings, root fillings, inlays, porcelain veneers and crowns are guaranteed for 12 months. If one fails, the practice that did the work must repair or replace it free. That guarantee stays with the old practice. A new practice will charge you for the same repair.
If you are leaving because something went wrong, you can still complain. Complain to the practice first. If you are not happy with the answer, you can complain to your ICB, which took over NHS dental complaints from NHS England in July 2023.
Related guides
- If you have moved to another part of London, see what happens to your NHS dentist when you move borough. You may not need to change at all.
- If you are not sure whether to change, our guide on whether switching dentists is easy covers what you gain and what you can lose, including for private patients.
- If you have not been to the dentist for a while, check the 2-year rule for NHS dentists. Your old practice may already have taken you off its list.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to deregister from my old NHS dentist?
No. There is no NHS dental registration, so there is nothing to cancel. Just book with your new practice.
How long does it take to change NHS dentist in London?
The change itself takes no time. Finding a practice with space can take a few phone calls or several weeks, depending on the borough.
Will my records go to my new dentist automatically?
No. Ask your old practice for a copy and give it to the new one, or ask the new practice to request it with your permission.