As the cost of living continues to rise, an increasing number of parents in England are finding themselves under immense financial pressure to fund essential dental treatments, particularly orthodontics, for their children. With NHS waiting lists stretching into years and private treatments often prohibitively expensive, families might be pushed into debt, relying on credit cards, payment plans, overdrafts, or personal loans to cover mounting costs.
In light of this, Pepper Money is highlighting the financial challenges families face when it comes to funding essential dental treatments, particularly for children. This article aims to shed light on the rising costs of private dental care, the strain of NHS waiting times, and the difficult financial decisions parents are having to make.
The growing demand for dental care and the shortage of dentists
A stark imbalance exists between the number of dental professionals and the growing population of children in need of care. Latest data reveals:
- Number of children under 18 in England: 14,403,544
- Number of registered NHS dentists: 24,200
This equates to one dentist for every 600 children, a concerning ratio that fails to account for adult patients or dentists who work part-time or exclusively in private practice. The strain on NHS dental services is clear, leaving families facing lengthy waiting times. For children requiring orthodontic work, delays can mean missing the crucial developmental window for treatment. As a result, many parents feel forced to turn to private care, where costs escalate quickly. In fact, 27% of Brits report having to go private after being unable to secure an NHS appointment, highlighting the growing pressure on public healthcare and the financial burden it places on households.
The financial burden of private dental treatments
Private dental care is a costly option for many families, and the numbers paint a clear picture of the financial challenge:
- New customer examination: £74
- Existing customer examination: £52
- Hygienist appointment (30 mins): £67
- Non-surgical extraction: £125
- Filling (white composite): £124
- Anterior root canal (front tooth): £403
Orthodontic treatments, such as braces, are the most significant expense, costing between £2,000 and £5,000 depending on the complexity. Combined with rising household bills, mortgage repayments, and childcare costs, many families find these out-of-pocket expenses impossible to manage without taking on debt.
How much debt are parents taking on?
To fund dental care, parents are turning to credit options that often exacerbate their financial struggles:
- Credit Cards: With average interest rates at 24.57%, borrowing £2,500 for orthodontic treatment could add nearly £600 in interest over a year if only minimum repayments are made.
- Overdrafts: At an average interest rate of 38.02%, borrowing just £1,000 to cover dental bills could add up to £380 in annual interest.
- Personal Loans: While offering lower rates at an average of 6.57%, a £3,000 loan over three years would still incur over £300 in additional costs.
For families already stretched thin by the rising cost of living, taking on this level of debt often means sacrificing savings, cutting back on essentials, or delaying other financial priorities.
Why families have few alternatives
While the NHS provides free orthodontic treatment for children who meet certain clinical criteria, the waiting process can take years. For some children, this delay means treatment becomes less effective or more complex. Faced with the risk of long-term dental issues, parents often feel they have no choice but to seek private care despite the financial strain it creates.
What needs to change?
To ease the pressure on families and ensure children can access dental care when they need it, practical solutions are essential.
One option is for private dental practices to offer flexible financing plans. Spreading the cost of treatments, such as braces, into manageable monthly payments could make private care more accessible for parents without the need to turn to high-interest credit.
At the same time, there’s a growing call for increased NHS funding to address the long waiting times. Greater investment in NHS dental services would allow more families to access orthodontic care without the financial strain, reducing reliance on expensive private alternatives.
Finally, financial education could play a key role. Helping families understand their borrowing options, avoiding high-interest traps like overdrafts and credit cards, and exploring lower-cost alternatives could prevent manageable expenses from spiralling into long-term debt.
Without intervention, the financial burden on parents will only grow, leaving many to choose between their child’s health and their own financial stability.
Ryan McGrath, director of second charge mortgages at Pepper Money comments, “More and more families are facing tough financial decisions when it comes to their children’s healthcare, particularly dental treatments like orthodontics. The rising cost of private care, combined with long NHS waiting lists, means many parents feel they have no choice but to borrow. We believe it’s important to raise awareness of these challenges and help families make informed financial decisions, ensuring they can access the care their children need without falling into unsustainable debt.”