Children's dentistry in London

632 London practices name children’s dentistry on their own websites. Some are general practices that are good with children; a smaller number are specialist paediatric practices, which is a recognised speciality with its own GDC register entry.

Dental care for children is free on the NHS

This is the most important thing on this page, and plenty of parents do not know it. NHS dental treatment is free for anyone under 18, and for under-19s in full-time education. That covers check-ups, fillings, extractions and orthodontic treatment where it is clinically needed.

It is free regardless of whether you as a parent are paying privately, and regardless of borough. The barrier is finding a practice with an open NHS list, not the cost. Our NHS dentists in London hub covers how to find one, and it is worth registering your child somewhere even if you go private yourself.

The private figures in the borough table below are what practices charge when you go outside the NHS, usually for convenience, a specific practice, or because no NHS list nearby is open. The London median for a child appointment is £55, with most practices between £40 and £75.

When to take a child for the first time

The advice is earlier than most people expect: by their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. That first visit is not really a treatment appointment. It is about getting the child used to the chair, and getting you advice on brushing, bottles and weaning.

Going early and often, when nothing hurts, is the single best thing you can do for how a child feels about dentists later. A first visit that happens because of toothache tends to set the tone.

What to look for in a practice

• Do they see children routinely? A practice that sees children all day is quicker and calmer than one that sees them occasionally.
• NHS list open for children? Many practices that are full for adults still take children, so ask specifically rather than assuming.
• Appointment times. After school and Saturday slots go fast. Ask what they actually have before you register.
• Prevention. Fluoride varnish is recommended twice a year for children from age 3 and is free on the NHS. Fissure sealants on adult molars are worth asking about.
• Specialist referral. For very anxious children, complex treatment, or additional needs, ask whether they refer to a paediatric specialist and where.

If your child is anxious

Dental anxiety usually starts in childhood, and how the first few appointments go matters more than anything technical. Practices vary enormously in how much time they will spend on a nervous child.

For treatment that genuinely cannot be done otherwise, inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide, often called happy air or gas and air, is widely used with children and is much gentler than it sounds. See sedation dentistry in London for practices that offer it.

Braces and children

Orthodontic treatment is free on the NHS for under-18s where there is a clear clinical need, assessed on a standard scoring system rather than on appearance alone. Waiting lists are long, and the assessment usually happens around age 11 to 13.

If your child does not qualify, or you would rather not wait, see orthodontics in London for private options.

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

This information is a general guide and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. Always consult a qualified dentist about your individual circumstances.

Written and reviewed by the Dentist-London.com Editorial team. Last reviewed 12 August 2026. Prices shown are indicative ranges, not quotes - confirm costs directly with the practice.