To choose a dentist, first decide whether you want NHS or private care. Then check the practice’s CQC inspection report and the dentist’s GDC registration, read recent reviews, and call with a few questions before you book. This guide takes you through each step.
Decide NHS or private first
NHS dental care in England costs the same at every NHS practice. You pay one charge for each course of treatment (all the visits needed to finish your treatment). From 1 April 2026 there are 3 charges:
- Band 1, £27.90: a check-up, X-rays and a scale and polish if you need one.
- Band 2, £76.60: everything in Band 1, plus fillings, extractions and root canal treatment.
- Band 3, £332.10: everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, bridges and dentures.
Some people get NHS dental care free, including everyone under 18. Our guide to NHS dental charges explains who pays nothing.
The difficulty is getting in. On 5 October 2026, 342 of the 779 NHS practices we list in London said they were taking new adult patients. That is 44%. Some boroughs have far fewer places than others. Our NHS dentists in London page shows which practices are taking patients.
Private care usually means you can book sooner, and practices offer more cosmetic treatments. You pay for each treatment separately. In London, the median lowest published price for a private check-up is £55. A private crown has a median price of £695, about double the NHS Band 3 charge. Our dental price list shows London prices for each treatment type, and our guide to NHS vs private dentists compares the two in more detail.
Many practices offer both. You can be an NHS patient for check-ups and fillings, and pay privately for something the NHS does not cover, such as whitening.
Check the CQC inspection report
Every dental practice in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC inspects practices against 5 questions: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led? It publishes its reports at cqc.org.uk.
The CQC does not give dental practices a rating, as it does for GP surgeries and hospitals. So read the latest report itself. Check the date as well. Some practices have not been inspected for several years. On our listings, we show the date of each practice’s last CQC inspection where we have it.
Check the dentist is GDC registered
Every dentist in the UK must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). So must hygienists, dental therapists and dental nurses. You can search for anyone by name on the GDC online register at gdc-uk.org. If someone is not on the register, they must not treat you.
The register also shows if a dentist is on one of the GDC’s 13 specialist lists. Only these dentists can call themselves a “specialist”, such as a specialist in orthodontics or oral surgery. Titles such as “cosmetic dentist” or “implant dentist” are not GDC specialties. They tell you what the dentist does, not that they have specialist registration.
Read reviews properly
Look at the number of reviews, not just the stars. A practice with 4.5 stars from 350 reviews tells you more than one with 5.0 from 14.
Read the newest reviews first. A run of bad reviews from 2 years ago may be about a dentist who has since left. Recent reviews are a better guide to what you will find now.
Look at how the practice replies to complaints. A calm, specific reply that offers to put things right is a good sign. We show each practice’s Google rating and number of reviews on its listing. Google collects these, not us.
Ask who you will see
Ask whether you will see the same dentist at each visit. At some practices, you see whoever is free. A dentist who sees you every time gets to know your teeth, your gums and how you feel about treatment. They are more likely to notice small changes early.
Practical things to check
- Location. Choose a practice near your home or work, or on your way between them. You are more likely to keep appointments.
- Opening hours. If you work office hours, check for early, late or weekend appointments.
- Access. If you need step-free access or a ground-floor surgery, ask before you book.
- How they treat you on the phone. Do they answer your questions clearly? Do they tell you how long the wait is? This is a good guide to how they will treat you as a patient.
What should happen at your first appointment
A first check-up should look at your teeth, gums and the soft tissues of your mouth. This includes a quick check for signs of mouth cancer. You may have X-rays if the dentist thinks you need them.
Before you agree to any treatment, the dentist should explain what they found, what they recommend, and what it will cost. For NHS treatment in Band 2 or Band 3, you should get a written treatment plan. Ask for a written estimate for private treatment too.
If you leave without knowing what was found or what it will cost, ask the practice to explain. If they will not, think about going somewhere else.
Questions to ask before you book
- Are you taking new NHS patients, or private patients only?
- How long is the wait for a first appointment?
- Will I see the same dentist each time?
- What happens if I need urgent treatment between appointments?
- Will you give me a written estimate before you start any treatment?
When you are ready, browse practices on our borough pages. Our guide to the best dentists in London explains what we show on each listing.