Frequently Asked Questions

BookMyDentist is a UK dental booking platform that lets you search for dental practices near you, compare dentists, and book appointments instantly. We connect directly to practice diary software so you see real-time availability — no phone calls needed.

Yes. Searching, comparing, and booking in-person appointments is completely free. Virtual consultations have a fee set by the dentist, typically between £65 and £85.

Enter your postcode, choose a practice or dentist, pick an available time slot, and confirm. If you don't have an account, you'll be asked to create one. The whole process takes less than 60 seconds.

Yes. Practices that accept NHS patients are clearly marked with a green “Accepting NHS” badge. You can filter search results by NHS availability.

Yes. Log in to your dashboard and manage your bookings. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before your appointment. Late cancellations may be subject to a fee set by the practice.

Every dentist on BookMyDentist is GDC (General Dental Council) registered. Every practice is verified against the GDC register. Practices offering virtual consultations are CQC registered.

Yes. Every practice and dentist profile shows verified reviews from patients who actually attended an appointment. Reviews cannot be left without a confirmed booking.

Yes. We use bank-level encryption, store data in UK servers, and comply fully with UK GDPR. We never sell your data. Read our full Privacy Policy at /privacy for details.

Yes. Your patient dashboard includes a secure medical history section where you can record conditions, allergies, medications, and other health information. This is shared with your dentist before your appointment.

No. BookMyDentist works entirely in your web browser on desktop, tablet, and mobile. No app download needed.

Visit /for-practices/register and complete the registration form. You'll need your practice name, GDC number, address, and contact details. Our team reviews every application and typically approves within 48 hours.

We offer a free launch period for founding practices. After launch, plans start from £49/month. Contact us for details.

We connect to your practice management software (Dentally, EXACT, Sensei, or Semble) through a secure API. You generate an API token in your software settings and paste it into BookMyDentist. We can then see available slots and create bookings — nothing else. You control access and can revoke it at any time.

We currently support Dentally, EXACT/SOE, Sensei, and Semble. If your practice uses different software, contact us and we'll see if we can connect.

You can still join. We offer a manual slot management tool where you can add and manage available appointments directly in your BookMyDentist dashboard.

Yes. When connected to your practice software, patient bookings appear directly in your diary. No double-entry, no phone calls, no extra admin for your reception team.

Yes. Patients can only book slots that are marked as available in your practice software. You manage your diary as normal — BookMyDentist simply shows what's available.

We only access available appointment slots, dentist names and schedules, and basic booking information. We cannot see clinical notes, financial records, NHS claim data, or treatment records. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Yes. You can disconnect your practice software and deactivate your listing at any time from your dashboard. Your data will be deleted within 30 days of deactivation.

No. Dentists can only join BookMyDentist when invited by a registered practice. Your practice admin sends you an email invitation, and you create your account from there.

Yes. Your BookMyDentist dashboard supports multiple practices. You can switch between them and see your diary at each location separately.

Yes. Once you claim your account, you can edit your biography, photo, qualifications, languages, services, and GDC details. Your practice manages practice-specific fields like your role and working days.

Yes. When your practice connects to BookMyDentist, your basic details are synced automatically from the practice software. Your practice admin can then add your photo, bio, and services. When you claim your account, you take over and can edit everything yourself.

Yes. As soon as your practice connects their software, patients can see your available slots and book with you. You don't need an account for this — bookings appear in your practice diary as normal. Creating an account gives you your own dashboard, diary view, and profile control.

A video consultation with a GDC-registered dentist from the comfort of your home. You can get advice on dental concerns, emergency guidance, prescriptions, referrals, and cosmetic assessments — all via video call.

Virtual consultations are provided under Smile Connect Ltd, a CQC-registered healthcare provider. Every virtual care dentist has been individually verified and approved.

Fees are set by each dentist, typically between £65 and £85 for a 20-minute consultation. The fee is displayed before you book.

Payment is taken online when you confirm your booking. We use Stripe for secure payment processing. You won't be charged until you confirm.

Yes. Smile Connect dentists can issue prescriptions for dental conditions such as antibiotics and pain relief if they judge it necessary. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy or to your email. Patients can also decide to have it delivered.

Full refund if cancelled more than 2 hours before. 50% refund if cancelled within 2 hours. No refund for no-shows or after the consultation has taken place.

Just a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection. No app download required.

Yes. For CQC compliance, your dentist will verify your identity briefly at the start of your first consultation. This is a one-time check.

Once you book, a secure messaging thread is created between you and your assigned dentist. You can send text messages, photos of your concern, and voice notes before, during, and for 7 days after your consultation. (Note: messaging launching soon.)

You must be a GDC-registered dentist linked to a practice on BookMyDentist or a Smile Connect member. Apply from your dentist dashboard — you'll need your GDC number, professional indemnity insurance, and a profile photo. Our team reviews every application.

Our AI dental triage helps you understand the urgency of your dental concern. Answer a few questions about your symptoms and receive guidance on what to do next — whether that's an emergency video consultation, an in-person appointment, or self-care advice.

No. The triage tool provides guidance only. It is not a medical diagnosis and does not replace professional clinical judgment. Always consult a qualified dentist for clinical advice.

The triage follows a clinical decision tree designed by practising dentists, covering toothache, swelling, trauma, broken teeth, and other dental concerns.

Yes. Your triage conversation is stored securely and shared with your dentist if you book a consultation. This helps the dentist prepare for your appointment. All triage data is logged for CQC clinical governance.

Yes. If you're in pain and find typing difficult, you can record voice answers to the triage questions. Your voice is transcribed automatically and the triage continues as normal.

Yes. During triage, you can upload a photo for the AI to review. The AI will describe what it observes but will not diagnose. The photo is saved and shared with your dentist if you book a consultation.

If the AI identifies emergency symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe swelling, or uncontrolled bleeding, it will immediately direct you to call 999 or attend A&E. Patient safety always comes first.

Yes. The AI triage tool is completely free and available to everyone, even without an account.