The evolving landscape of aesthetic dentistry

The crisis in NHS dentistry in the UK has been widely reported. Despite an increase in dentist registrants with the General Dental Council (GDC) over the past decade, data from NHS England and Wales shows that over 2500 dentists (8%) stopped treating NHS patients in 2021.¹ The ‘GDC Public Survey 2022’ also highlighted a significant shift towards private dental care since 2019/2020.² In 2020/2021, the UK dental market was valued at £8.3 billion, with the NHS component accounting for only £3.8 billion.³ This growth in private dentistry is likely to lead to more complex treatment plans and care items not typically available under the standard NHS General Dental Services contract.

Concurrent with the rising tide in private dentistry in the UK is the practice of defensive dentistry, an approach often driven by perceived fears of litigation and dental regulation. As part of this, dentists commonly take extra precautions, frequently recommending more conservative treatments. This trend is likely to be associated with a significant increase in the prescription of minimally invasive dental treatments aimed at enhancing the smile zone, including (but not limited to) clear aligner treatments and composite bonding, which are often perceived as lower-risk options. This is highlighted by the projected growth in the global market for clear aligners, estimated to rise from US$6.7 billion in 2023 to US$29.9 billion by 2030.⁴