What to do If You Can’t Afford Dental Care in the UK

Written by

Cara Bradley

9 min read

Updated: 17/02/2026

Dental care is an important part of supporting our overall health, but, as many of us are sadly aware, it can come at a high cost.
A whopping 75% of UK adults admit they don’t regularly visit the dentist, and in 2024, 1 in 5 said they would avoid going to the dentist because of the cost.
With this in mind, it’s perhaps no wonder that 64% of dental professionals report noticing a decline in oral health in the UK population between February 2024 and February 2025.

In our guide, Viva Money explores some of the options, including free dental care, that could be available if you can’t afford a dentist in the UK.

Should I go to the dentist even if I can’t afford it?

Even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your teeth, it’s important to attend regular dental check-ups; however, we understand that forking out the cost just to be told that everything is fine could be frustrating.
Remember, though, check-ups are an investment in your future health, as they can prevent, identify, and treat any issues before they get severe enough to require an urgent appointment, which could end up costing you more in the long run.

How often you need a check-up will depend on the condition of your teeth. The time between appointments could be anywhere between 3 months and 2 years. Your dentist is the best person to recommend a personal schedule for you.

How much does it cost to go to the dentist?

The cost of a dental visit in the UK will depend on whether you attend a private or NHS practise, and the treatment(s) you have.
Treatment carried out on the NHS is categorised into bands, reflecting different costs.

You could also get an urgent dental appointment on the NHS at a set cost of £27.40.

What to do if you have a toothache but can’t afford to go to the dentist?

If you have a toothache, it is very important to get it checked out.
If left untreated, a toothache could become a problem, which is likely to require dental treatment further down the line.
It’s best to get it looked at as soon as possible, for both the sake of your health and your wallet.

Please refer to the section below, ‘What to do if you can’t afford to go to the dentist’, for a list of options that could be available to help with the expense.

What to do if you can’t afford to go to the dentist

What if you can’t afford dental treatment? If you can’t afford to go to the dentist, there could be certain schemes and options available to you.

• Payment plan
  Some dental practises may allow you to pay in instalments over a set amount of time, for example, 12 months. You may or may not be charged interest.


• NHS help
  Who gets free NHS dental care?
  You may be able to claim free dental treatment on the NHS if you;
  
  - Are under the age of 18, or 19 if you’re in full-time education
  - Are pregnant
  - Have given birth in the past 12 months
  - Have had a stillbirth in the past 12 months
  - Are receiving treatment in an NHS hospital from a hospital dentist.
  - Are in receipt of certain benefits; and/or
  - Receive War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments, and the dental treatment you are having is for your registered disability.
  
  You can find out more about free NHS dental care here, including the documentation you may need to provide.


• Find a local dental school
  Students at a local dental school may offer free or reduced-cost dental treatment to members of the public.


• Speak to friends and family
  If you need to book a dental appointment but are struggling to cover the cost, could a family member or friend help you out? Remember, when borrowing money from a loved one, it’s crucial to set clear boundaries, and when it comes to repayments, it’s important to stick to the arrangement set by both parties.


• Loan
  Could I get a loan for dental treatment?
  You could get a loan to cover the cost of dental treatment, although you should think very carefully before you apply. Taking on a loan is a serious financial commitment, and extensive research is needed before you decide.
  Consider how the cost of monthly repayments, which will include interest, will affect your monthly budget. You should never apply to borrow money that you don’t need or can’t afford to repay.

Viva Money: search for a loan for dental costs

Viva Money is a credit broker, and we work with a large panel of direct lenders who offer short-term, personal loans between £100 and £10,000, with a range of repayment terms from 3 to 60 months, depending on the amount of money you apply to borrow.

You could use Viva Money’s credit broking service to search for a loan to cover the cost of emergency dental care if you:

• Are over the age of 18;
• Are a UK resident;
• Have a UK bank account and a valid debit card; and
• Have a regular source of income paid directly into your bank account.

Please note that cosmetic dental procedures, such as whitening or composite bonding, are generally not considered an essential expense.

Bad credit dental loans

You could still search for a loan to cover dental expenses, even if you have bad credit.
Several lenders on the Little Loans panel specialise in loans for people with bad credit, although please be aware that a bad credit loan could come with a higher rate of interest, which will influence your monthly repayments as well as the overall cost of the loan.

Can you be struck off from your NHS dentist?

Yes, you can be removed from an NHS dental register; however, you should be given notice and be provided with clear reasons before you’re struck off. There are various examples of why you could be removed from an NHS dental register, including missing appointments or not following treatment advice.

In August 2025, it was reported that 9 in 10 NHS dental practises in the UK do not have the capacity to take on new patients; a statistic that could mean thousands are currently without access to NHS treatment. This could result in patients needing to seek treatment privately, and private dental treatment typically costs more than that offered by the NHS.

With these figures in mind, it’s important to try to keep your registration at an NHS dental practise. To reduce the risk of being struck off from your NHS dentist, you should follow treatment advice, try to attend any scheduled appointments, and, if you’re not able to attend, let a member of staff know as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT: NEVER carry out ‘DIY’ dentistry on yourself

A 2024 survey showed that a horrifying 82% of dentists had treated patients who had, since the COVID-19 lockdown, attempted to perform DIY dentistry on themselves, including tooth extraction.
If the cost of dental treatment has your teeth chattering, you might have wondered, ‘can I do my own dentistry?’.
The answer to this question is a resounding NO. You should never try to do your own dentistry work. Doing so carries many risks, including serious and even life-threatening infection, as well as irreversible damage.

I’m worried about my finances; is there anyone I can speak to?

If you’re worried about money, please remember that you don’t have to suffer in silence. There are a number of UK charities and organisations that offer free, impartial, confidential financial advice, including: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.