Answers to those frequently asked questions when looking for a private dentist in London, from out-of-hours dentist information to appointment costs.

6 minute read

Visiting London, whether for business or a holiday should be a pleasure, not a pain. But what if you unexpectedly need to see a dentist while you are in the UK capital?

Maybe a crown has fallen out leaving you with a grin that rivals the Watford Gap, you have broken a tooth, or worst of all, you’ve been up all night with toothache.

In this guide, we will cover how to find a private dentist offering emergency, next-day, out-of-hours appointments and home visits in London, what you can expect to pay for your treatment and how to choose a private dentist in the capital — whether you are just visiting or call the city home.

How do I find a dentist in London?

Google is your friend when it comes to finding a dentist (or any other service) in London. You can either search for private dentists in your area or use one of the guides below:

• Dental Guide — lists over 80 NHS and private dental practices across London. The guide also includes a free online tooth assessment and patient guides on topics including general dentistry, dental hygiene, and orthodontics.

• Dentists in London — provides a guide to private dental practices in London that work with Bupa health insurance.

How much is a standard private dentist appointment in London?

London is the second most expensive place to see a private dentist in the UK (behind Bristol), with prices 23% above the national average.

The cost of private dental treatment in the capital also varies significantly, based on the type of treatment, the location of the practice, and the experience and expertise of the dentist.

On average, an initial consultation with a private dentist in London ranges from £50 to £100.

Treatment prices also vary with the cost of a filling ranging from £80 to £150 and root canal treatment costing between £200 and £900 per tooth. On average a tooth extraction in London will set you back around £150.

What are my options if I’m visiting London and I have a dental emergency?

If you’re visiting London either from overseas or elsewhere in the UK and you have a dental emergency that can’t wait, many private dentists across the capital offer emergency appointments.

You may need an emergency dental appointment if you have:

• Lost a tooth

• Severe pain or bleeding after dental surgery

• A dental abscess with symptoms such as a fever, intense toothache, gum pain, difficulty opening your mouth, and swelling of your face and jaw

• Cracked or broken teeth

• A tooth that has been knocked loose or out of alignment

If you have had an accident or injury that involves facial injuries and broken teeth, or if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to your nearest A&E department.

Top London private dental clinics

• Boston House Dental Clinic is located in East London and provides a range of dental services including emergency appointments. The cost of a problem-specific appointment (excluding X-rays) is £69. Book an appointment online or call 0207 628 4869.

• Emergency Dentist offers 24-hour emergency appointments at two locations, Baker Street and Liverpool Street. An emergency consultation (not including a full mouth check-up) is £45 plus the cost of any necessary treatment. Finance options are available. Book an appointment online or call 0207 486 1047.

• Victoria Dental Centre offer walk-in emergency appointments in central London and routinely provides dental treatment to overseas visitors. The practice accepts dental insurance on a pay-and-claim basis, meaning you pay for your treatment upfront and will be given the necessary documentation to claim the cost back from your insurance company. For an emergency appointment at Victoria Dental Centre call 020 7834 6161.

How much does an emergency dentist appointment cost?

The cost of an emergency appointment depends on the individual practice, the type of emergency, and the treatment required.

Normally appointments range from £50 to £150 for the consultation, assessment, and any necessary X-rays. Additional treatment such as temporary fillings, crowns or tooth extractions is paid for separately.

Will my health insurance cover my dentist costs?

Whether your health or travel insurance covers the cost of your dental treatment depends on your policy and whether the dental practice works with your insurance. If you want to use your insurance, check with the practice when booking your appointment.

Do I need to inform the dentist I’m registered with before seeing a private dentist?

You are not obliged to inform your regular dentist before seeing a private dentist. However, it may be helpful to get a letter detailing any treatment you received to pass on to your usual dentist so that they are kept up to date.

Can I get a next-day appointment with a dentist in London?

Many private dental practices in London offer next-day appointments. This may be a good option if you don’t need an emergency or same-day appointment but would like to be seen quickly.

How do I know which dentist to go to in London?

The first thing to do before booking an appointment with a private dentist is to make sure they are fully qualified and registered. In the UK, qualified dentists are legally required to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Dental Council. You can check that your dentist is listed on the General Dental Council website.

Take a look at the dental practice’s website and see what services they offer and how up-to-date their facilities are. The website can also provide information about different treatments, give clear prices and opening hours, and provide customer reviews (remember these reviews have been chosen by the practice).

If possible, ask for recommendations from family and friends or check out the practice’s ratings and reviews on Google or Trustpilot.

Some other things to take into consideration when choosing a private dentist include:

• Where they are located

• Their fees

• Whether the cost is covered by your insurance

• Whether they offer finance or payment plans

• What treatments they offer

• Whether they offer emergency, short-notice or out-of-hours appointments

What is the difference between a dental clinic and a dental hospital?

While there may be some similarities between the treatments provided at a dental clinic and a dental hospital, in general, a dental hospital provides more complex treatments and surgeries requiring a general anaesthetic.

Are there any out-of-hours dentists in London?

There are many dental clinics offering appointments during evenings and weekends across London.

Bayswater Dental Clinic is open seven days a week, Mondays to Saturdays from 9 am to 8 pm and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm. There is also an emergency service available 24 hours a day. An emergency dental consultation costs £49.

Forest & Ray Dental Practice are located in central London and is open seven days a week. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. A new patient consultation, including two X-rays, costs £119.

Are there any mobile dentists that do home or hotel visits in London?

If you are unable to visit a dental clinic, several private dentists in London provide dental consultations and treatment in your own home.

Camberdent offers home visits in South London and Hampshire. Visiting fees vary according to the distance your dentist needs to travel, accessibility and the treatment required. A fee of £250 is required as an initial payment. Book an appointment online or call the practice on 020 7703 5110.

Dental Comfort provides dental home visits to homes or care homes throughout London and the surrounding areas. The call-out fee for within a 5-mile radius of W5 is £149. Services outside this area are available for an extra £10 per mile. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, with weekend and evening appointments available on request. Book an appointment by email admin@dentalcomfort.co.uk, or call 0203 576 5697.

I’m in London and I have a broken tooth, what should I do?

A broken tooth may or may not be an emergency, depending on the extent of the damage. If all or a part of your tooth has fallen or been knocked out, make an emergency appointment to see a dentist the same day.

Depending on how badly your tooth is broken, your dentist may glue the broken piece back on, or apply a filling or a crown over the broken tooth. For a badly broken tooth where the nerves are exposed, you may need a root canal treatment.

Some things you can do yourself while waiting for your appointment include:

• Apply pressure to the broken tooth to reduce or stop bleeding

• Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling

• Rinse your mouth with warm salty water

• If you have pain, take over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, but avoid aspirin as it can make bleeding worse

• If your tooth has come out of its socket, rinse it carefully, taking care not to touch the roots. Keep it in milk or saltwater until your appointment. Your dentist will decide if your tooth can be reattached or needs replacing.