The CMA market study of private dentistry: What does it mean?
April 2026
Written by Dr. Matthew Nolan, Head Dental Officer, Denplan
The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) review of private dentistry is an important moment for the sector. At a time when patient access and affordability of dentistry frequently make headlines, this is an opportunity to spotlight some of the challenges the sector is also facing, including recruitment difficulties, rising costs, and commercial uncertainty.
As a practising dentist myself, I know that the UK dental sector is often misunderstood – with patients and policymakers lacking clarity on how dentistry is funded and delivered in practice. While the CMA’s review focuses on private dentistry in isolation, the reality is more complex. Most practices provide both NHS and private care and all are subject to wider system pressures – including workforce shortages, limited NHS capacity, and a lack of focus on prevention. These are all shaping how dentistry functions as a whole and how patients access care.
At Denplan, supporting our members means not only providing practical tools and services but also making sure your voice is heard in national policy discussions. It is therefore vital that the experiences and perspectives of our members are clearly represented as part of the CMA’s work.
What is the CMA’s market study?
The CMA is the UK’s independent market regulator, responsible for promoting competition and protecting consumers. In early 2026, the CMA launched a review to assess how well the private dentistry market is working for patients. This included a particular focus on pricing transparency, consumer choice, and whether competition between providers is working effectively.
Responding to this evidence gathering exercise, Denplan submitted a detailed response to the CMA’s consultation and met with officials at the CMA to provide additional evidence to support their understanding of how the private dental market operates in practice.
How has Denplan responded?
Private and NHS dentistry should be seen as complementary components of the same system
Recent data from the General Dental Council shows that the majority of practices deliver both private and NHS care, with private income often critical to maintaining the financial sustainability of practices that also provide NHS services. We called for recognition of the mixed economy of dentistry in the UK, with this context being central to understanding that a well-functioning private market does not sit separately from the NHS.
Payment plans support patient access and practice stability
Payment plans offer a transparent solution in the form of predictable monthly payments, with benefits for both patients and practices. In our submission, we highlighted how spreading the cost of care through predictable monthly payments can reduce the barrier of unplanned one-off expenses and support more consistent patient engagement with dental care.
As dental professionals, we know that consistent care underpins prevention and earlier-intervention, both of which can reduce the likelihood of more complex and costly treatment in the future. While the delivery and funding models of private care vary across the market, for many practices monthly plans can also provide more predictable income, supporting financial planning in an unpredictable commercial environment.
I appreciate the option of Denplan and liked that extra cover options were available but not compulsory. In particular Denplan is helpful for me as it spreads the cost of dental treatment over the year rather than in sudden costs.
A Denplan patient quote included in our submission (Dec 2025).
Transparency is central to a well-functioning dental sector
Transparency is another key focus of the review, and one we support. Patients should have clear, accessible information about their treatment options, costs, and how care is funded.
However, we have been clear that action to improve transparency is not just about what happens in practices, but should also reflect the need for better public understanding of how the dental system works more broadly – including the role of NHS patient charges and the true cost of delivering care.
Where competition and patient choice are constrained, it is often as a result of pressures on NHS provision.
We also emphasised that many of the challenges shaping patient behaviour – particularly around access – we consider to be driven by constraints within NHS dentistry, including workforce challenges, insufficient funding, and inflexible contracts.
NHS provision must remain available for those who rely on it. At the same time, it is important that private care is accessible, transparent and easy for patients to navigate. We have therefore encouraged the CMA to consider how wider access challenges are shaping patient behaviour across the system.
What happens next?
The CMA will continue gathering evidence over the coming months, with further engagement expected across the sector. Its final report, due in March 2027, will set out recommendations for both government and industry – potentially including new requirements around transparency, pricing, and consumer information. Implementation of any changes is likely to take time and may be subject to further consultation.
This review process offers an opportunity for the sector, with the aim of ensuring that policymakers better understand how care is delivered in practice and the central role that private and mixed models play in supporting access for patients.
At Denplan, we will continue to engage closely with the CMA and wider stakeholders, ensuring that member voices are central throughout this process. We will also keep you updated as the review progresses, and as potential implications for practices become clearer.
We’d welcome you to share your perspective via [email protected]
As ever,
Matthew Nolan, Head Dental Officer at Denplan