When it comes to dental care, most people in the UK are familiar with NHS dentistry. It’s affordable, widely accessible, and trusted by millions. But sometimes, patients find themselves wondering whether going private might be better for their specific needs. Maybe you want faster treatment, more cosmetic options, or simply a more personalised experience.
One common question we often hear at Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic is: “Will I lose my NHS dentist if I go private?” The short answer? Not necessarily. But let’s dive into the full picture so you can make an informed choice without second-guessing yourself.
Understanding the Difference Between NHS and Private Dental Care
The purpose of understanding this difference is to guide you towards the answer to the big question. NHS Dental care is subsidised by the government and provides clinically necessary treatment to keep your teeth healthy. Examples would be anything from check-ups to fillings, extractions, and root canals. Private dentistry, however, is a much broader range of treatment. Whether it’s teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding or Invisalign and implants, private care gives greater access, faster treatment, and often a higher level of comfort and customisation. Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic is both an NHS and private practitioners, because we believe that patients should have access to the full range of care.
What are My Rights as an NHS Dental Patient?
So, If You Go Private, Do You Lose Your NHS Dentist?
The fact is, you do not get automatically kicked off your NHS dentist if you decide to go private. A lot of people in the UK have a combination of NHS and private care. For example, you might have your routine check-ups under the NHS but choose to pay privately for teeth whitening or dental implants.
Dentists are allowed to provide both NHS and private care, often within the same practice. In fact, most dental clinics – including ours – regularly care for patients under both systems.
However, there are a few points to keep in mind:
1. Your Dentist’s NHS Availability
NHS dental contracts are limited, and not all dentists have space to accept new NHS patients. If you’re already registered with an NHS dentist, that’s great. But if you leave the practice for a long time or ask to be removed from the NHS list, there’s no guarantee you’ll be re-registered easily. Demand for NHS places is high, and many practices have waiting lists.
So, if you’re thinking about going fully private, it’s worth having an honest conversation with your dentist. Ask whether keeping your NHS registration is possible while receiving some private treatments.
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2. Mixed Treatment: It’s Okay to Have Both
It’s perfectly fine – and actually quite common – for patients to receive both NHS and private treatments.
Let’s say you visit us for your six-month NHS check-up, and we discover you need a filling. You might opt for the basic NHS filling or choose a tooth-coloured composite filling as a private treatment for better aesthetics. The choice is yours.
Just remember that once a treatment is started under the NHS, you can’t switch that specific treatment to private halfway through – or vice versa. But you can receive different treatments under each scheme.
3. Private Treatment Won’t “Kick You Off” the NHS List
Choosing a private treatment doesn’t mean you’re “leaving” the NHS. It’s not an either/or situation. As long as your dental clinic offers both services and you remain on their NHS patient list, you can continue with your NHS care.
That said, if you don’t attend your NHS appointments for a long time (usually over two years), your place may be given to someone else. This is standard NHS policy and has nothing to do with private treatment.
How to Change Your NHS Dentist?
4. What About Switching Between Clinics?
If you’re registered as an NHS patient at one practice and then go to another practice for private care, you won’t lose your NHS status. NHS registrations aren’t tied to private appointments at all.
However, if you move to a fully private clinic that doesn’t offer NHS care at all, you would no longer be receiving NHS treatment from that practice. You’d need to register elsewhere if you wanted to return to the NHS. Again, this depends on local availability.
5. Why Some Patients Choose Private Dentistry
At Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic, we completely understand that choosing private care is a personal decision. Here are a few reasons why some of our patients decide to go private – either fully or for selected treatments:
Faster access – shorter waiting times and flexible appointment slots.
Wider choice of treatments – especially for cosmetic or advanced care.
High-quality materials – like porcelain crowns and tooth-coloured fillings.
More time with the dentist – longer appointments and more detailed consultations.
Modern technology – including digital X-rays and 3D imaging.
Personalised care – everything tailored to your comfort and preferences.
Private dentistry can feel more relaxed and focused, especially when patients want to enhance the look of their smiles or get treatment without long waits.
What to Do If You Can’t Find an NHS Dentist?
6. What to Ask Before Going Private
If you’re thinking about having private care but are keen on staying with the NHS, here are some useful questions to put to your dentist:
- If I have private treatment, can I still remain registered as an NHS patient?
- Will treatment I have done privately affect what treatment I can have on the NHS in the future?
- When it comes to private care, do we have different payment plans or financing options?
- What treatment option is best for me, both on the NHS and privately?
At the Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic, we are always happy to advise you on your options with no pressure.
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Conclusion: Your Smile, Your Decision
So, in short, you can’t lose your NHS dentist simply by going private, so long as you keep going to your NHS appointments and stay registered at the same practice. It’s about balance and making the right choices for your health, lifestyle and smile. Private dentistry can be a great option if you are seeking advanced cosmetic treatments or want a more personalised dental experience. And with the option of NHS or private care, you don’t need to feel that you’re making a permanent switch.
Our team at Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic is here to ensure you feel confident and looked after. At our office, we would love to guide you through your process with honesty, kindness, and the experience necessary to help you get exactly what you need.
Which Dentists Are Accepting NHS Patients?
Want to explore private options while staying on your NHS plan?
Contact Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic today and let’s have a chat about what works best for you.
