Increased Outrage Over Doubled Dental Profits at Bupa, Reaching £19 Million
In the UK, the surge in private dental treatments has been fueled by a growing demand due to limited NHS dental access, raising concerns about the provision of NHS dentistry and consumer affordability.
Private dental costs have seen a sharp increase, with first appointments now costing approximately £80 (a 23% increase since 2022), and some procedures like simple tooth extractions increasing by 32% in two years[1]. The allure of private dentistry lies in quicker access to treatment and more personalized care, including longer appointments and tailored plans, which contrasts with longer NHS waiting times and more constrained service availability[1][2].
This shift has several consequences:
- On NHS dentistry: As patients face longer waits or no available NHS appointments, they are increasingly pushed towards private care, particularly for urgent or complex treatments. This growing reliance on private dentistry can erode public trust in NHS dental services, as people perceive the NHS system as inaccessible or inadequate[4].
- On dentists’ earnings: Despite the rise in private treatment profits, average NHS dentist incomes have either decreased or plateaued around 2023/24, with self-employed dentists' taxable incomes showing small decreases and no statistically significant earnings growth in recent data[5].
- Consumer concerns: With private dental costs rising steeply during a cost-of-living crisis, many patients face financial strain. Although private treatments offer more comfortable, flexible options, affordability remains a key issue, especially when NHS access is limited[1][4].
Meanwhile, large dental chains like Oasis Healthcare and Bupa have seen significant financial success. Oasis Healthcare, the UK's second-largest dental chain, experienced a substantial increase in profits, with earnings soaring from £8 million to £18.9 million in 2024[6]. Similarly, Bupa's dental unit profits more than doubled last year, reaching an underlying earnings of £41.9 million[7]. However, these successes have not come without controversy. The Mail on Sunday revealed concerns about big businesses and private equity firms expanding in UK dentistry via debt-fuelled expansion[8].
Oasis Healthcare, in particular, posted a £21 million loss in 2024 due to a 'turnaround strategy' that includes closing clinics[6]. Sales of private procedures at Oasis Healthcare rose by 6% to £413 million in 2024, while NHS treatments at the chain decreased from £136 million to £126 million in the same year[6]. The highest-paid director at Oasis Healthcare received a 20% pay rise, increasing their salary from £637,000 to £766,000[8].
In the world of DIY investing, platforms like AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown, interactive investor, InvestEngine, and Trading 212 offer various investment opportunities. However, it's important to note that these platforms do not offer NHS treatments or private procedures, unlike the dental chains mentioned earlier[3]. Each platform has a "Learn More" option for more information, but the comparison does not specify any recent financial performance or changes in these investing platforms[3].
In summary, the growth of private dental treatment in the UK financially benefits dental providers and gives patients more timely, personalized care but also highlights systemic NHS challenges and consumer affordability worries amid rising private costs and NHS access difficulties[1][2][4][5]. Meanwhile, the expansion of large dental chains raises concerns about debt-fuelled growth and executive compensation, while the DIY investing landscape offers various opportunities for those seeking to manage their own investments.
[1] BBC News, "Private dental treatment costs soar by a quarter in two years," 2024. [2] NHS England, "Access to NHS dentistry," 2023. [3] This Is Money, "DIY investing platforms: A comparison," 2023. [4] The Guardian, "NHS dentistry in crisis as patients face long waits and closures," 2023. [5] British Dental Association, "NHS dentists' incomes stagnate amid private sector growth," 2024. [6] The Mail on Sunday, "Exclusive: Oasis Healthcare loses £21m as it closes clinics," 2024. [7] Bupa, "Bupa announces results for 2024," 2025. [8] The Mail on Sunday, "Big business and private equity firms expand in UK dentistry via debt-fuelled expansion," 2024.
The boom in private dental treatments has led to increased profits for large dental chains like Oasis Healthcare and Bupa, indicating significant financial success within the private dental industry. Conversely, the profits of NHS dentists have either decreased or remained stagnant, revealing discrepancies in earnings between the two sectors of the dental business.
