Children's dentistry in London

NHS dental care is free for children. Anyone under 18 pays nothing, and so does anyone under 19 in full-time education. This covers check-ups, fillings, extractions and braces when there is a clinical need. It is free in every borough, and it is free even if you pay privately for your own care.

The hard part is finding a practice with space, not the cost. In our check of nhs.uk on 5 October 2026, 429 of 779 London NHS practices (55%) said they take new child patients. Fewer take new adults, so a practice that is full for you may still have space for your child. Ask about children specifically. Our NHS dentists in London page shows which practices say they are taking new patients.

Most practices on this page are general practices that see children. A smaller number are specialists in paediatric dentistry (dentistry for children). This is a recognised specialty, and specialists are on a separate list held by the General Dental Council (GDC).

Private prices

The prices in the borough table below are what practices charge when a child is seen privately. Parents usually choose this for convenience or because no NHS practice nearby has space. The London median for a private child appointment is £50. Half of all practices start between £40 and £75.

When to take your child for the first time

Take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, and before their first birthday. This first visit is not about treatment. It helps your child get used to the dentist, and you get advice on brushing, bottles and sugar.

After that, the dentist will suggest how often to come back. For children this is every 3 to 12 months, depending on the risk of decay. A child who first sees a dentist because of toothache often stays nervous about dentists. Regular visits when nothing hurts help prevent this.

What to ask a practice

• Do you see children often? A practice that sees children every day usually handles them more calmly.
• Is your NHS list open for children? Ask this even if the practice is full for adults.
• What appointment times do you have? After-school and Saturday slots are popular. Ask what is actually free before you sign up.
• Do you offer fluoride varnish? Children aged 3 and over should have it at least twice a year. It is free on the NHS. Fissure sealants (a coating on the back teeth) can also help prevent decay.
• Where do you refer? For a very anxious child, complex treatment or additional needs, ask where the practice refers to.

If your child is anxious

How the first few visits go matters more than anything technical. Practices differ a lot in how much time they give a nervous child, so ask before you book.

For treatment that cannot be done any other way, some practices use inhalation sedation. The child breathes nitrous oxide through a small nose mask. It is often called “happy air” or “gas and air”, and the child stays awake. See sedation dentistry in London for practices that offer it.

Braces for children

NHS braces are free for under-18s when there is a clear clinical need. The orthodontist uses a standard scoring system called IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need). Treatment for appearance alone does not qualify. Children are usually assessed at around 12, when most adult teeth have come through. Waiting lists for NHS orthodontics can be long, so ask your dentist for a referral early.

If your child does not qualify, or you do not want to wait, see orthodontics in London for private options.

To compare prices across every borough and treatment, see our London Dental Cost Index.

Written and reviewed by the Dentist-London.com Editorial team. Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Prices are advertised starting prices, not quotes. Confirm the cost with the practice. This is general information and does not replace advice from a dentist about your own teeth.