22 BILLS TRACKED
Dental (scale, polish & extractions)
The classic surprise bill. Sedation, imaging and per-tooth extraction fees stack up fast: one owner in our data was quoted £600 and billed £900.
Every price we track (hover a dot)
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 84% more than the advertised list price for dental.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
| Year | Region | Practice | What it was | List | Paid | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Yorkshire (York) | Independent / charity | Dental scale & polishFrom £77 | £77 | — | source |
| 2026 | Yorkshire (York) | Independent / charity | Dental scale & polishFrom £112 | £112 | — | source |
| 2022 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dog dental (5 extractions + scale/polish)Low-end example: five teeth removed plus scale and polish. | — | £116 | source |
| 2025 | UK unspecified | Independent / charity | Dental scale and polish (dog)The Craig Vets; scale and polish only, extractions extra; cat £210; undated list | £240 | — | source |
| 2022 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dog dental (clean, polish + 2 extractions)Scale and polish with two teeth removed. | — | £280 | source |
| 2025 | North West England (Liverpool) | Independent / charity | Cat dentalFrom £290 up to £540 by time | £290 | — | source |
| 2025 | North West England (Liverpool) | Independent / charity | Dog dentalFrom £320 up to £570 by weight/time | £320 | — | source |
| 2026 | North West England / Wales | Independent / charity | Dental incl. extractions (up to 90 min)Extractions included | £419 | — | source |
| 2024 | UK unspecified | Independent / charity | Dental: 3 extractions | — | £450 | source |
| 2026 | UK | Unknown | Dental assessment + scale & polish (survey avg, 58 vets)ManyPets Jan 2026 | £475survey avg | — | source |
| 2024 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dental: 2 extractionsMinimum figure | — | £500 | source |
| 2023 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dog dental (5 extractions + 2 follow-ups)Five teeth out including two follow-up visits. | — | £509 | source |
| 2025 | UK unspecified | Independent / charity | Dental procedure under GA (cat)Just Cats Veterinary Clinic; extractions extra (molar £45/canine £90); undated list | £545 | — | source |
| 2022 | UK unspecified | Independent / charity | Dental: 3 extractions at smaller practiceAfter a higher quote elsewhere | — | £550 | source |
| 2024 | Midlands | Independent / charity | Dental: 3 extractions + bloods + x-rays | — | £560 | source |
| 2025 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dental: 5 extractionsAmount approximate | — | £580 | source |
| 2025 | North England / Midlands | Independent / charity | Dental stage 1: scale, polish, essential extractionsIncl. pre-op bloods, IV fluids, dental x-rays | £595 | — | source |
| 2024 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dental: 5 extractions | — | £600 | source |
| 2024 | Lancashire | Corporate / chain | Dental: 11 extractions + cleanAt Medivet | — | £620 | source |
| 2022 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dental: near-full mouth extraction | — | £650 | source |
| 2022 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dental: 5 extractions + consult + meds13-year-old cat, incl. meds | — | £875 | source |
| 2022 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Dental: multiple extractions (tooth resorption)Final bill 50% over quote | — | £900 | source |
Common questions
How much does dental cost in the UK?
Across 22 real UK prices, the median is £505, with bills running from £77 to £900. These are real prices people paid or that practices published, not estimates.
Why do dental prices vary so much?
It depends on where you are, who owns the practice, and exactly what is included. The Competition and Markets Authority found corporate-owned practices charged 18.3% more on average than independents, and vet prices rose 63% between 2016 and 2023.
Is dental cheaper at an independent vet?
Often, yes. The CMA's 2026 review found independent practices averaged 18.3% less than the six large corporate groups for comparable work. From September 2026 every practice must publish a price list, so comparing a few nearby is worth it.
Related free guides
- Cat and dog dental costs in the UK: what people really pay →
- How much does a cat dental cost in the UK? →
- Dog teeth cleaning cost in the UK: what people really pay →
- Signs your dog needs a dental, and what it will cost →
- Dog tooth extraction cost in the UK: what to expect and why →
- Cat tooth extraction cost in the UK: what to expect and why →
Methodology: prices here are published list prices, bills people reported in public posts or submitted directly, and survey averages. Each row says which it is, with a link to the source where one exists. We never estimate and no sponsor can touch a number. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix or remove it fast.