NHS dentistry has been significantly impacted in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating systemic weaknesses. Pre-existing issues including chronic underfunding, workforce issues, and unattractive NHS contracts have collided with pandemic-related disruptions to leave millions of patients waiting for care.

With the recent uplift in NHS dental contract falling short of the recommendations from the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB), the Labour government has failed to alleviate the funding challenges associated with NHS dentistry, and intensified financial pressures on NHS dental providers. As investors look towards the rest of 2025 and beyond, one key question is this: how are these challenges accelerating uptake of private dentistry within the UK dental landscape, and what new investment opportunities may they present in the future?

In this paper, Marwood examines the implications of the NHS contract uplift and broader funding constraints, assessing their impact on the competitive landscape of UK dentistry. We explore key market trends, identify potential areas of growth for private providers, and outline strategic considerations for investors seeking to capitalise on emerging trends in dental care.