What will it cost?
What is the price of having a healthy mouth again? Or teeth that do their job, so eating isn’t a worry? Or a smile that really expresses my happiness?
As more and more people have to make the move to private dental care, treatments we used to take for granted as NHS patients are becoming a concern. Just thinking about what it might cost, often prevents people from asking. This is why SpaDental has a list of indicative costs on the website.
You may be surprised, though.
In this article, we aim to try to put prices into perspective. Below you can get a rough idea of indicative dental prices, against the cost of other lifestyle expenses. Here are some dental costs in the context of other household expenses.
It’s worth comparing dental costs with other expenses
As well as spending on essentials, we spend on entertainment, hobbies and enjoying our time when we’re not working. Although spending on our dental health may not be top of our wish list, it’s worth thinking about health care costs as a long term investment. Moreover, if you are spend on investment dressing, it’s worth remembering cosmetic dental treatments can have a greater transformational impact than a new pair of shoes! Here are some figures advertised online to help compare different costs. It may seem like a random list of items, but then our spending is diverse too. And yes, comparing a cute puppy with a dental crown is a bit like comparing an apple to a space station!
| What we spend our money on | Cost?* | Dental treatments and prices** | Cost?** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky TV and sports channel/month | £35.00 | 1 exam +1 hygiene Practice Membership/month | £14.91 |
| 50 litres of petrol (E10) | £67.00 | 2 exam +4 hygiene Practice Membership/month | £44.92 |
| Youth Man United Home Jersey | £60.00 | Child’s new patient examination | £47.00 |
| Child’s BMX bike | £149.99 | Fluoride application | £20.10 |
| Standard sprung double mattress | £279.00 | Night guard | £164.80 |
| 2 ABBA Voyage seats | £432.00 | White filling | £147.40 |
| Jimmy Choo court shoes | £675.00 | Tooth whitening | £481.00 |
| Registered Labrador puppy | £1,800.00 | Crown | £830.20 |
*Please note the prices costs quoted are a guide only.
**SpaDental costs vary from practice to practice. These are based on the SpaDental Plymouth fees from October 2025.
*** A dentist finalises individual treatment costs with each patient before proceeding with treatment. Costs very according to individual need.
Where does our money go?
Of course there are lots of variables when we talk about spending, such as income and region. However, sources seem to agree that the areas people spend most of their money on are transport, housing, food and entertainment. As an average across all income groups, a household spends just £8.90 a week* on health.
Why choose private dentistry?
People who choose private dentistry usually do so because:
- There’s a wider choice of materials used to achieve aesthetic effects for white fillings and composites, crowns and restorative care.
- Patients can access a wider range of cosmetic treatments such as tooth whitening and dental implants.
- Appointments don’t feel rushed.
- There’s not usually a waiting list to join a practice if you’ve moved to a new area.
Putting the real cost of private dental care into perspective.
One of the best investments a patient can make is to sign up to a practice care plan. Practices usually offer different levels of care according to a patients overall health, dental health and need.
For patients who enjoy good oral health, a plan that covers essential care is a great choice, as it covers regular visits to the dentist, and hygiene appointments.
Become a Member – find out more here.
If you would like to learn more about private dental care costs:
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