Health and care
Websites & marketing for dentists and dental practices
There are 14,710 dental practices registered in the UK, and the number has risen 21.2% since 2021. Here is how they win customers online, and what a dental practice’s website needs to do.
Choosing a dentist is a personal decision. People look for reassurance first: who they will see, what treatments are offered, what it will cost and whether the practice is accepting new patients. Many put off booking, so a calm, clear website can make the difference.
Dental advertising is regulated, so claims need care. A good website sticks to accurate, plain information and makes it easy to see the team, the treatments and how to book.
The UK market for dental practices
The number grew 21.2% between 2021 and 2026, well ahead of the +0.8% for UK businesses overall, so more firms are competing for the same customers.
79% of them have fewer than 10 employees, 17% are sole proprietors and 75% are limited companies. Most are small operations, so a clear, quick website is a genuine way to stand out from competitors who have not looked after theirs. The ten areas with the most firms hold about 31% of the UK total.
Where dental practices are concentrated
| Area | Firms | Per 10,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| London | 2,915 | 3.2 |
| Birmingham | 330 | 2.8 |
| Leeds | 225 | 2.7 |
| Buckinghamshire | 180 | 3.1 |
| Glasgow | 170 | 2.6 |
| West Northamptonshire | 150 | 3.4 |
| Manchester | 145 | 2.5 |
| Cardiff | 135 | 3.5 |
| Kirklees | 130 | 2.9 |
| Cheshire West and Chester | 125 | 3.3 |
Most firms per 10,000 residents
| Area | Per 10,000 residents | Firms |
|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham | 9.1 | 110 |
| Hertsmere | 7.3 | 80 |
| Broxtowe | 6.6 | 75 |
| Three Rivers | 6.2 | 60 |
| Watford | 5.6 | 60 |
| Trafford | 4.6 | 110 |
Source: ONS UK Business Counts 2026 (enterprises), SIC 86230: Dental practice activities, and mid-2025 population estimates, via Nomis. Open Government Licence v3.0. Counts are rounded by ONS and cover VAT- and/or PAYE-registered businesses only. London is the 33 boroughs combined; areas under 60,000 residents, and areas with very few firms, are left out of the density table.
What a dental practice’s website needs to do
- Team profiles, with the registration details of your clinicians shown as required
- A page for each main treatment, explained in plain English
- Clear information on fees, and on whether you are taking on new patients
- Opening hours, emergency appointment arrangements and how to book
- Accessibility and location information, including parking and transport
- Honest before-and-after material only where it follows the relevant advertising rules
Mistakes we see
- Claims about results that go beyond what you can fairly say
- Prices and fees buried or missing
- No clear way to book or register as a new patient
- Out-of-date information on opening hours and emergency care
How we would approach it
- Bespoke web design. A calm, clear site with team profiles, treatments and booking builds the trust patients need.
- SEO. Most people search for a dentist close to home, so local visibility matters.
- Meta and Google ads. Ads can reach people looking for new treatments, provided the claims follow dental advertising rules.
Guides that help
- How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Breaking the Rules)
- Do I Need a Website If I Have Social Media? An Honest Answer
- How to Rank Higher on Google: SEO Tips for UK Businesses
Find your area
See the business picture where you work: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, or browse all areas.
Questions from dental practices
What should a dental practice website include?
Team profiles and registration details, the treatments you offer, fees, whether you are accepting new patients, opening hours, emergency arrangements and how to book.
Are there rules about dental advertising?
Yes. Dental advertising is regulated, so claims about treatments and results need to be accurate and follow the guidance that applies to dental professionals. We write plain, factual copy and leave the final check with you.
How do dental practices attract new patients online?
By being easy to find in local searches, showing the team and treatments clearly, collecting genuine reviews and making it simple to register and book.
How many dental practices are there in the UK?
ONS counts 14,710 dental practices registered for VAT and/or PAYE in the UK for 2026. That figure excludes firms below the VAT threshold that are not registered for PAYE, so the real number is higher.
Where are most dental practices based?
By number of firms, the biggest concentrations are in London, Birmingham and Leeds. Per 10,000 residents, Cheltenham, Hertsmere and Broxtowe come out highest.
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