How to Get an NHS Dentist

Content medically reviewed by Dr Ali Rifai.

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Guidance on Getting an NHS Dentist

Searching for an NHS dentist near me is a nationwide challenge with very limited availability for new NHS patients. Private dental care offers affordable alternatives like check-ups from £55, including X-rays. Choosing private care doesn’t affect your NHS dental entitlement. To find an NHS dentist, use the NHS website, contact local practices, join waiting lists, or contact your local ICB for help.

Searching for an NHS dentist near me, but struggling to find one currently accepting new patients. Unfortunately, it’s not limited to your area. It’s a UK-wide issue.

For example, if you’re in Weybridge like us and search the NHS Find a Dentist register, you’ll see that not one practice on the list is taking on new patients.

The closest you’ll get is practices only taking on new NHS patients for specialist dental care by referral, or “When availability allows”, which shows just how dire the situation really is.

So what can you do? Go private for £55

As a private dental practice in Weybridge, we can’t match NHS prices for a check-up (£27.40), but we can offer some of the most affordable costs in the area.

Whether you’re a new or existing patient, we now offer a dental check-up for £55, including X-rays. Same-day dental emergencies are also £55.

Registered children’s check-ups are £55. That’s half the price of any other dental practice within miles.

Booking a check-up for £55

Call: 01932 989785
Email: hello@myodental.co.uk
WhatsApp: 07961920047
Book online: Select a date and time
Registration: New patient sign-up

Just because you go private doesn’t mean you’ll lose your NHS entitlement

You’re free to choose your oral care provider, and going private for an appointment doesn’t mean you’ll lose your entitlement to NHS dentistry.

Currently, across the UK, it’s challenging to see an NHS dentist, and waiting lists are very long, which may mean you’ll have to wait months, and possibly even years, for a check-up.

To prevent your oral health from declining in the meantime, patients can opt for private care for check-ups and hygiene appointments, avoiding larger dental issues that may arise from neglecting care for an extended period.

Because, in all honesty, this is likely to put a greater strain on NHS dentistry, once the matter of availability has hopefully been addressed – and if it never gets better, and you’re forced into private dentistry regardless, you don’t want to start with large bills for multiple fillings or other restorative treatments due to a lack of preventive measures. Have a question? Email us at hello@myodental.co.uk.

Steps you can take to find an NHS dentist in 2025

The guidance below can help you find an NHS dentist, but availability in your local area may be a factor.

When you find a practice, contact them directly to check whether they’re currently accepting new NHS patients.

If they are not, they may ask you to join a waiting list. If you continue to struggle and need urgent dental care, you can contact NHS 111.

Use the NHS website’s dentist finder to find an NHS practice near you.
Contact your local practices to see whether they can help.
If local practices are full, ask to join a waiting list, but try to understand timelines.
As a last resort, you can contact your local ICB to find dental services in your area.

Getting an NHS emergency appointment.

Find us: MyoDental, 40 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8AB.

Want to find out more? Live locally to Weybridge KT13?

Dr Ali Rifai

Dr Ali is a highly experienced dentist who enjoys writing articles and blogs to connect with his existing patients and welcome new ones. Dr Ali specialises in dental implants and Invisalign and owns his own practice in Weybridge, Surrey. Read Bio.