Free UK dentist comparison. Ratings cannot be bought —how we make money· methodology
Compare dental practices for children — free NHS dental care for under-18s, first visits, fluoride varnish, fissure sealants and finding a child-friendly dentist.
NHS dental care is free for all children in the UK until their 18th birthday (or 19th if they're 18 and in full-time education) — check-ups, fillings, extractions and even braces where there's a clinical need. That makes the main job finding a practice that accepts child NHS patients and makes visits positive: many practices will see children on the NHS even when their adult list is closed, especially when a parent attends privately. Children should have their first dental visit by age one or when the first teeth appear, then attend at least annually. Preventive treatments — fluoride varnish (recommended at least twice a year from age 3, and available from age 0–2 as needed) and fissure sealants on adult molars — are free on the NHS and are the most effective way to avoid fillings. Some families also choose private children's dentistry for longer appointments or specific specialists; private child check-ups typically cost £25–£60 where offered.
Typical cost
Free on the NHS (where eligible)
Ratings and rankings are our editorial opinion, based on our publishedmethodology — they are not dental advice and practices cannot pay to change a score. Where a practice has no reviews we show "Not yet rated" — we never invent scores.Listings labelled Featured orReferral partner are paid placements; payment affects visibility only, never ratings or match results. We may receive a fee when you send a private-treatment enquiry.Private treatment prices are indicative — always confirm directly with the practice.
Dental Practice · Liverpool · L1 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team
NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning
Not Yet Rated
City-centre NHS and private dentistry with same-day emergency slots.
Check-Up from £47
Dental Practice · Cardiff · CF11 · GDC-registered team · HIW-registered practice
NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning
Not Yet Rated
NHS and private family practice in Pontcanna, Cardiff.
Check-Up from £46
Dental Practice · Bristol · BS8 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team
NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning
Not Yet Rated
NHS and private family dentistry in Clifton Village, Bristol.
Check-Up from £58
Dental Practice · Leicester · LE1 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team
NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning
Not Yet Rated
Family-run NHS and private dental practice in central Leicester.
Check-Up from £45
Dental Practice · Leeds · LS1 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team
NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning
Featured Practice
Not Yet Rated
Long-standing NHS and private family practice on The Headrow.
Check-Up from £49
Dental Practice · London · N1 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team
NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning
Featured Practice
Not Yet Rated
Family-friendly NHS and private dentistry beside the Regent's Canal in Islington.
Check-Up from £79
Dental Practice · Edinburgh · EH3 · GDC-registered team · Denplan practice
NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning
Featured Practice
Not Yet Rated
NHS and private family dentistry in Edinburgh's Stockbridge.
Check-Up from £52
Yes — NHS dental treatment is free for under-18s across the UK, and for 18-year-olds in full-time education. That covers check-ups, X-rays, fillings, extractions, and preventive care like fluoride varnish and fissure sealants. Orthodontic treatment (braces) is also free where there's a qualifying clinical need.
By their first birthday, or as soon as the first teeth come through — whichever is sooner. Early visits are mostly about getting the child used to the surgery, checking development and advising parents on brushing and sugar. Regular visits at least once a year follow from there.
Often, yes. Practices with closed adult NHS lists frequently still accept children on the NHS — it's always worth asking directly. The NHS website's dentist search shows which practices have told the NHS they're accepting new child patients.
Fissure sealants are thin protective coatings painted into the grooves of adult back teeth, usually soon after they erupt (around ages 6–7 and 11–13), to keep decay out. Fluoride varnish is brushed onto teeth at least twice a year from age 3 to strengthen enamel. Both are quick, painless and free on the NHS.
Yes, if an orthodontist assesses their need as high enough on the IOTF scale (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) — typically grade 4 or 5, or grade 3 with significant appearance impact. NHS waiting lists can be long. Cosmetic-only cases don't qualify, which is why some families pay privately (fixed braces typically £1,500–£3,500).
Start young, keep language positive (avoid words like 'hurt' or 'injection'), let them watch a parent's check-up first, and choose a practice that's happy to do gentle acclimatisation visits. Tell the practice about anxiety when booking — many have team members who particularly enjoy treating nervous children, and a dentist can discuss options for genuinely phobic children.