How Much Do Dentists Make in London? Your Easy Guide to Dental Salaries

Are you thinking about becoming a dentist in London or just wondering what they really make? Good question! London is a huge city with many dentists, where pay can be very different, and it costs a lot to live there. If you want to know what dentists earn, why their pay changes so much, and what it takes to reach the highest pay, this article is for you. Read on to find out why dentists get paid the way they do and get some good career tips along the way!

Table of Contents

What Is the Average Dentist Salary in London?

When you ask, how much does a dentist earn in London, you probably want numbers. So, let’s get right to the facts! Most dentists in London earn between £60,000 and £130,000 a year (before tax and other costs). That’s the average, but the number can change depending on things like experience, workplace, and special skills.

But here’s the catch: pay in London is different from other places in the UK. Think about how expensive it is to live there, more dental clinics, lots of patients, but also many other dentists.

Why should you care? If you’re picking a job, salary is very important. And if you already work in dentistry, you’ll want to know if you’re getting paid fairly.

Example Salary Table for Dentists in London

Why Do Dentists Earn More or Less in London?

Two dentists can work just a street apart and make very different amounts of money. Why does that happen?

Problem: People often think being a dentist in London means you’ll automatically make a lot of money. That’s not always true. Agitate: With so many dental clinics and high running costs, some dentists find it hard to keep what they expected after paying their bills. Solution: Knowing the real reasons for pay differences can help you make better choices about your dental career.

Here are the main things that change dentist salaries in London:

• Where You Work: The center of London usually means higher prices, but also higher rent and costs for dental clinics.
• How Busy You Are: Dentists who can see more patients, or do expensive treatments, usually make more.
• Practice Type: NHS dentists, private dentists, mixed (NHS and private), or hospital/community dentists all have very different ways of getting paid.
• Special Skills: Dentists with more training (oral surgeons, orthodontists) often earn more, especially in private clinics.
• Your Job Title: Are you an employee, a self-employed associate, or do you own the practice? Each has its good and bad sides.

How Does Experience Change a Dentist’s Pay?

Experience changes everything. Just like many jobs, dentists start with lower pay and work their way up.

Dentists who just finished school, called Foundation Dentists, start with about £35,000–£45,000 a year. These jobs are full of training and paid for by the NHS.

After those first years, dentists work as associates. Usually, they make more as they get faster and better at dental treatments. Mid-career associates (3-10 years in) might earn £70,000–£120,000. The top-earning senior associates can make over £180,000.

Practice owners can earn the most, but only if they manage their clinic well, control their costs, and get a lot of patients. Sometimes, the money they take home is even less than that of successful associates because the owner has to pay for everything: staff, equipment, rent, and more. But if the business does well, they can make a lot.

NHS vs Private Practice: What’s the Difference in Pay?

London dentists can work in the NHS, in private clinics, or in both (mixed practice). This choice makes a big difference to their pay.

NHS Dentists

If you work mostly with NHS patients, you earn based on something called Units of Dental Activity (UDA). Each treatment has a UDA value. Dentists get paid a fixed amount for each UDA, usually £20–£30 per UDA in London.

Imagine an NHS associate has a target of 6,000 UDAs per year at £25 each:

• Total: 6,000 x £25 = £150,000 total income.

But keep in mind: you’ll still have to pay for staff, supplies, and other costs from that amount.

Private Practice

Private dentists earn by charging patients for each treatment. Usually, associates get a 45–55% share of the money they make for the clinic. If a dentist does a lot of cosmetic or specialist work, the earnings can be much higher.

For example, making £250,000 per year in private fees at a 50% share will give you £125,000 before you pay tax and your own costs.

Mixed Practices give you a steady income by mixing NHS and private work.

Do Specialists Like Orthodontists Earn More?

You’ve probably seen braces specialists (orthodontists), oral surgeons, or dentists doing expensive cosmetic work on social media. Many of them do earn more than general dentists.

Orthodontists in London often earn £100,000–£200,000+ per year. Oral surgeons sometimes make even more, especially if they do private surgeries.

Special skills like endodontics (root canal work), periodontics (gum treatment), or prosthodontics (making bridges and dentures) mean you’ll get more referrals and can charge higher fees.

But remember, it takes more years of school and a lot of training to become a specialist. Is it a good idea? If you really enjoy one area of dentistry and want to earn more, the answer is probably yes!

How Much Do New Dentists Make in London?

Let’s say you just finished dental school and you’re starting your career. London can feel like a lot, but the pay for foundation dentists is quite clear: most earn £35,000–£45,000 a year during this period.

Once you finish your first year, you’ll work as an associate, often with an NHS contract, maybe some private patients. As a new associate, you can expect between £45,000 and £75,000 per year.

What’s the catch? London is expensive! Rent alone can use up a lot of your money. But those who work hard, get patients to trust them, and never stop learning will see their pay go up year after year.

What Benefits Do Dentists Get With Their Salary?

Pay isn’t everything. London dentists usually get other benefits too.

NHS dentists often get a good pension plan, holiday pay, help paying for work costs, and sick pay. Private dentists might not have great pensions, but some practices give bonuses or pay for more training.

Other common benefits:

• Insurance (called indemnity) to protect them legally
• Paid time off or holiday pay
• Help with ongoing training (learning new dental skills)
• Sometimes even private health insurance

So, it’s not just your salary you should look at—these extras can improve your life.

Is Dentistry a High-Paid Job in London?

To be honest: Dentistry is one of the higher-paid jobs in London. But is the pay good enough for how expensive it is to live there?

• The average dentist’s salary is a lot higher than many other jobs.
• BUT: London’s rent, travel, and food cost more too. Rent for a small flat in Central London can be more than £2,000 a month.
• Some dentists finish paying off student loans from dental school years after they begin work.

Still, many dentists live comfortably – nice home, holidays, and feel safe with their money. Is it easy money? Not really. Dentistry can be hard on your body and mind. But for those who work smart and plan well, the money can be very good.

How Can a Dentist Make More Money?

Maybe you’re already a dentist and want to make more money. Or maybe you want to plan for a high-paying dental career before you even start. Here’s what works:

If you want to know how dental technicians help dentists get better results or lower their costs, check out what a china dental lab can do for you—offering low-cost and good quality dental products made to order.

For dentists who like technology, partnering with a digital dental lab helps you work faster and give the best modern care. Want your patients to have bright, strong, natural-looking smiles? Good materials are important, so learn about the difference a top-class dental ceramics lab makes in a dental clinic.

So, it’s clear: with the right choices, a dentist can earn more and more in London.

FAQs

What is the average UDA rate in London?

The average UDA value for NHS practices in London is around £20–£30 per UDA, but this can change depending on the area and the contract. It’s an important number in NHS dentist salaries.

How much does a dental hygienist make in London?

Dental hygienists usually earn £28,000–£40,000 per year, with hygienists with more experience, especially in private clinics, making over £45,000.

Are dentists rich in the UK?

Dentists have one of the higher-paid jobs in the UK, especially in London. But “rich” depends on things like clinic costs, student loans, and how good you are at business.

What are the common costs for a dental practice in London?

Costs for practice owners are high. These costs include:

• Rent/mortgage for the clinic
• Staff wages
• Equipment and dental materials
• Bills and insurance

These often use up 60-70% of the money the clinic makes before the dentist gets paid.

Is there a big need for dentists in London?

Yes! London’s big and always needs dentists. But there are many other dentists competing, especially for private patients and in busy areas.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Remember

• Dentist salaries in London go from £35,000 for newcomers up to £300,000+ for some practice owners.
• Where you work (NHS, private, mixed) and what you do (general, specialist) can make your pay two or three times higher.
• Cost of living is high. That high salary is spent on rent and other costs, especially in Central London.
• Becoming a specialist or owning a practice usually means more money, but also more risk, loans, and hard work.
• Good contract negotiation, learning new skills, and looking after patients well are the best ways to do better in your career.
• Don’t forget the other benefits: pensions, paid holiday, and ongoing training support a dentist’s life, not just their bank balance.

If you want to learn how dentures are made or the newest technology for removable dentures, there’s plenty to learn from a solid removable denture lab. And for even more on mouth health, check out the basics of dental diseases.

Whether you’re a curious student, future dentist, or are managing your own dental clinic, London’s dental salary scene has lots of opportunities—if you’re willing to work for it