Preventive dentistry means stopping tooth decay and gum disease before they start, instead of only treating them once they appear. It is mostly about daily habits: brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cutting down on sugar. In June 2026, NHS England put prevention at the centre of its new standard for children's dental care.
What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is any care that keeps teeth and gums healthy, rather than repairing them. It includes:
- check-ups, where the dentist looks for early problems and decides how often you need to come back
- visits to a hygienist, to clean below the gum line and show you how to clean your teeth well
- fluoride varnish, a strong fluoride coating painted on the teeth to help stop decay. NHS guidance says children aged 3 and over should have it twice a year
- fissure sealants, a thin plastic coating on the back teeth of children at higher risk of decay
- advice on brushing, diet, smoking and alcohol
On the NHS, all of this is in Band 1, which costs £27.90 in England from April 2026. NHS dental care is free for everyone under 18. A problem found early is usually quicker, cheaper and less painful to fix. A small filling is a Band 2 charge (£76.60). If the same tooth later needs a crown, that is Band 3 (£332.10). Our guide to NHS dental charges explains the bands.
The new NHS standard for children
On 22 June 2026, NHS England published a new clinical standard for children's oral health and dental care. It replaces the 2018 standard for paediatric (children's) dentistry. It was written by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry with the Office of the Chief Dental Officer for England.
The standard says prevention must be part of care at every level. It says children's treatment should be "minimally invasive", which means removing as little of the tooth as possible. It also says children should be treated in the most local and least specialist setting that is right for them. For most children, that means their usual high-street dentist.
Oosh Devalia, president of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, welcomed it.
This standard is a pivotal moment for children's oral health in England.
Oosh Devalia, president, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry
The need is clear. In England, tooth decay is the most common reason for children aged 5 to 9 to be admitted to hospital. In 2024/25, 21,162 children in that age group were admitted to hospital because of tooth decay, according to the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Most tooth decay can be prevented.
Prevention needs enough dentists
Dentists have welcomed the standard, but many have also said it will only work if there are enough dental staff to deliver it. Professor Martyn Cobourne, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, called for more investment in the NHS dental workforce and for changes to the NHS dental contract.
This matters in London, where NHS appointments can be hard to get. In the 2 years to 31 March 2026, 36.9% of London adults saw an NHS dentist. The figure for England was 40.4%. On 5 October 2026, 44% of the NHS practices we list in London said they were taking new adult patients. Our NHS dental access in London page has the figures for each borough.
Why prevention matters in London
Many Londoners only see a dentist when something hurts. In every London borough, a larger share of NHS dental treatment is urgent care than in a typical part of England. Across England, 9.6% of NHS treatment in a typical area is urgent. In Hackney it is 17.1%.
The share is highest in poorer areas. In the most deprived tenth of London's neighbourhoods, 25.9% of NHS dental treatment in 2025/26 was urgent. In the least deprived tenth it was 12.3%. Regular check-ups and good habits at home can stop many problems before they become urgent.
Which daily habits protect your teeth?
These are the main steps in the NHS guidance for dental teams, "Delivering better oral health":
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. One of those times should be last thing at night.
- Check the fluoride level on the toothpaste label. It is given in ppm (parts per million). Adults and children aged 7 and over should use 1,350 to 1,500 ppm.
- Children under 7 should use a toothpaste with at least 1,000 ppm. Use a smear of toothpaste for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for children aged 3 to 6.
- After brushing, spit out the toothpaste. Do not rinse with water. This leaves fluoride on your teeth.
- Have sugary food and drinks less often, and keep them to mealtimes. How often you have sugar matters, as well as how much.
- Do not smoke, and keep alcohol within the recommended limits. Both raise the risk of gum disease and mouth cancer.
- Go for check-ups as often as your dentist recommends.
How to choose a prevention-focused practice
Look for a practice that gives you advice that fits your mouth, not just a quick check. A good practice will tell you your risk of decay and gum disease, and use it to decide how often you need to come back. It may involve a hygienist or dental therapist in your care. If your teeth are healthy, it should not ask you to come back more often than you need.
To find a practice near you, start with our borough pages. Our guide on how to choose the right dentist has questions to ask before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What does preventive dentistry include?
Check-ups, hygienist visits, fluoride varnish, fissure sealants for children's back teeth, and advice on brushing, diet, smoking and alcohol. The aim is to stop decay and gum disease before they start.
How often should I see a dentist?
It depends on your risk. NICE guidance says adults should be seen every 3 to 24 months, and children every 3 to 12 months. Your dentist decides the gap based on your mouth. If your teeth and gums are healthy, it may be up to 2 years.
Does the NHS cover preventive dental care?
Yes. Band 1 (£27.90 in England from April 2026) covers a check-up, X-rays, advice, a scale and polish if you need one, fluoride varnish and fissure sealants. NHS dental care is free for everyone under 18.
What is the best way to prevent tooth decay?
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, including last thing at night. Spit out the toothpaste but do not rinse. Have sugary food and drinks less often, and keep them to mealtimes.
Why is tooth decay still so common in children?
Mainly because of sugary food and drinks, brushing that is not regular, and unequal access to dentists. In England, tooth decay is the most common reason for children aged 5 to 9 to be admitted to hospital. In 2024/25, 21,162 children in that age group were admitted because of it.