COVID-19 turned the world upside down — and the dental sector was no exception.
When the first lockdown hit in 2020, dental practices across the UK were forced to close their doors overnight. NHS practices were given government guidance and financial support to continue, despite reduced patient numbers. But for private practices, the picture was very different.
Without the safety net of an NHS contract, many private practices faced real uncertainty. Staff were furloughed, overheads remained, and patient flow stopped. For some, it meant survival mode.
Yet as restrictions eased, something unexpected happened.
Private patient numbers began to rise — particularly for high-value treatments such as implants, Invisalign, and smile makeovers. Why?
Many believe it was a mix of things:
- People had disposable income from cancelled holidays or reduced spending
- Lockdown led to more self-reflection and a desire to feel better about oneself
- Zoom calls made people hyper-aware of their smiles
Whatever the reason, private dentistry saw a rebound — and in some cases, a boom.
The pandemic brought chaos, but it also led many practices to rethink their services, adopt digital tools faster, and re-evaluate what patients truly want. If there’s one takeaway, it’s that private dentistry proved remarkably resilient — and patients continue to seek value, convenience, and confidence in their care.