Private dental treatment gone wrong can leave patients facing unexpected bills, ongoing pain and uncertainty about where to turn for help. A recent investigation by Which? has highlighted serious concerns about the cost of private dentistry, the quality of treatment and the difficulties patients face when trying to resolve complaints.
Published this month, an investigation by Which? included a survey of 1,009 adults who had experienced problems with private dental treatment in the last two years. Its findings raise important questions about patient rights, accountability and what people can do if they believe their dentist has provided negligent treatment.
For patients who may have paid thousands of pounds for dental care, understanding the difference between a dental complaint and a potential dental negligence claim is an important first step towards seeking compensation if someone has received avoidable harm.
What did the Which? survey reveal about private dentistry?
The Which? survey identified several areas of concern for private dental patients, from unclear pricing to potentially serious treatment problems and a complaints system that many patients felt offered below the expected standard.
Some of its key findings included that:
- 39% felt the cost of their dental treatment was excessive.
- 22% paid more than they had been quoted.
- 21% said pricing was unclear.
- 26% reported dissatisfaction with the quality of their treatment.
- 10% reported a direct clinical mistake by their dentist.
- 16% felt pressured into specific treatments.
- 11% said they had been forced onto monthly dental payment plans.
Source: Which?, “Consumer harm and complaints experience in private dentistry”, September 2026
Finally, it also found that 62% of surveyed patients who experienced a problem did not complain directly to their dental practice. Among those who did complain, 46% received only a verbal apology without any financial or dental resolution.
These findings in the survey highlight the difficulties some patients encounter when private dental treatment does not go as expected. They also demonstrate why it is so important for patients to understand the options available to them if they believe their treatment was below an acceptable standard.
When does a problem with a private dentist amount to dental negligence?
Not every negative dental experience amounts to dental negligence. However, when treatment falls below the standard reasonably expected of a dental professional and causes avoidable harm, you may have grounds for a dental negligence claim.
Dental negligence can arise from a range of different scenarios, including:
- Dental Injuries: There are many different injuries you can receive at the hand of your dental professional, but all ultimately have a negative impact on a patient’s experience. They can include experiencing significant pain, requiring unexpected additional treatment at a cost, and suffering the loss of teeth.
- Failure to Diagnose: If a patient has visited a dentist or dental practice regarding an issue where symptoms were not considered. The dental professional may have not diagnosed the problem correctly or misdiagnosed it for another which has caused either more treatment, pain or suffering for the patient.
- Failure to Treat: Patients often explain problems they may be having with their teeth that is causing them pain or discomfort, if the dental professional has not treated the patient correctly the condition could get worse or further costly treatment may be required to rectify the issue.
- Failure to obtain patient consent: Where a patient is not given adequate information about potential risks, alternative treatments or consequences of the proposed treatment.
When establishing a negligence claim, at The Dental Law Partnership our legally and dental trained experts will review dental records in order to demonstrate that the dentist or dental practice have breached their duty of care.
Hidden dental costs: what are your rights as a private dental patient?
Unexpected dental bills were a major theme in the Which? findings. In the survey 22% of patients reported paying more than they had been quoted, while 21% said the pricing structure was not given to them clearly.
Private dentists should provide patients with clear information about proposed treatment and its costs. Patients should understand what treatment is recommended, what it is expected to cost and whether additional procedures or charges may become necessary.
Why is it so difficult to complain about a private dentist?
The Which? survey found that many patients were reluctant to complain because they feared damaging their relationship with their dentist or believed their complaint would make no difference. It also highlighted some limitations in the current complaints process for private dental patients.
The findings found that just 9% of those surveyed took their complaint to the Dental Complaints Service, while 5% went to the General Dental Council and only 1% actually pursued legal action. Finally, nearly two-thirds (63%) of those who did not escalate said they felt further action was pointless.
Firstly, patients are generally recommended to raise concerns or complaints with the dental practice itself. If an issue remains unresolved, the Dental Complaints Service (DCS) are able to help private dental patients reach a resolution through its complaints process, however they cannot provide any compensation to the patient.
Alternatively, the General Dental Council (GDC) regulates dental professionals and can investigate concerns about professional fitness to practise. It does not ordinarily resolve individual consumer disputes but can protect the public, when necessary, such as suspending or putting conditions on a dental professional’s registration.
Finally, pursuing legal action is easier than patients may think. At the Dental Law Partnership (DLP) we are a no win no fee specialist dental negligence law firm and ensure patients have a clear route to justice and compensation to hold those accountable whom have caused avoidable harm.
Will private dentistry patients get better protection?
Which? has called on the government and regulators to create a mandatory independent ombudsman specifically for private dentistry, with the power to investigate disputes.
The survey also comes as The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) began a market study into private dental services early this year, which is examining concerns including competition, clearness on price and complaints processes.
In the meantime, patients should familiarise themselves with the routes and processes about how complaining to a dental practice is not the same as a dental negligence claim.
When should you speak to a dental negligence solicitor?
The Which? survey highlights the financial and emotional difficulties patients can experience when private dental treatment does not go as expected. Unexpected bills, repeated procedures and unresolved complaints can leave people uncertain about their rights and feel reluctant to challenge their dental professional or practice.
If you believe your dentist has been negligent and caused you avoidable harm, you do not have to only rely on dental practice’s internal complaints process to understand your options.
A specialist dental negligence firm like The Dental Law Partnership can assess the circumstances of your treatment, explain your options and advise on the potential routes as to whether you have a claim.
You can contact our friendly dental negligence team to discuss your experience and find out whether you may be eligible to pursue a claim. Every case is different, and an assessment of your individual circumstances by our dental and legally trained experts will be needed to determine the options you have.