The Competition and Markets Authority wants to see how well the market is working, given both the rise in private dentistry and its fees.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a review of private dentistry, looking at both essential care and cosmetic treatments. It is looking for feedback from consumers and dental professionals as it explores how well the market is working – from finding a dentist and understanding prices to knowing where to go if something goes wrong.
The CMA said that difficulties in accessing NHS treatment have driven up demand for private dentistry in recent years, with one in five people using private dental care in 2024 and prices for initial consultations increasing by 23% between 2022 and 2024.
It is looking at a number of different areas including the availability of private dental services in different areas, and how easily people can switch between providers; how people search for dental care, compare providers, and understand the information they receive from dental professionals – including how experiences may vary for different consumer groups, such as vulnerable individuals; as well as how prices for private dental services have changed compared with inflation.
At the same time, the CMA wants people’s views on business tactics and behaviour. Whether dentists engage in any practices that may be unfair, misleading or anti-competitive that could harm consumers or limit their choice, and how dental practices compete to attract and retain patients, and whether competition is leading to good results for consumers on pricing, and experience.
It also wants views on whether people can easily raise concerns or seek redress when things go wrong and whether the regulatory frameworks support good outcomes for consumers.
Costs, availability, treatment options
“Going to the dentist is an important part of health and wellbeing, yet we’re concerned many may be uncertain about costs, availability, treatment options and what they’re entitled to,” said CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell.
“For some, turning to private dentistry is a choice – but for many, it’s a necessity. People need clear, accessible information at the right time so they can make the right decisions for themselves and their families,” she added.
Dentistry is devolved to national governments, which means people’s experiences and the options available to them can vary depending on where they live. The CMA has said that it will take these differences into account and work closely with all four governments as its study progresses.
The review has been welcomed by the industry.
“Access to NHS dental services has become increasingly difficult since the pandemic, driven by significant post-Covid backlogs that have been exacerbated by patients presenting with more complex needs, as well as workforce constraints leading to thousands of dentists retreating from NHS contracts that may be deemed less lucrative than treating private patients,” said Rebecca Hainsworth, partner in commercial healthcare at law firm Browne Jacobson.
“This intervention reflects how the government views dentistry as a priority within its focus on improving healthcare. It has made a number of pledges around dentistry, including providing 700,000 extra urgent appointments annually and investing £100 million in encouraging dentists to take on NHS work,” she continued, adding that this move has echoes of the CMA’s previous investigation into fertility clinics.
