Are you really accepting new NHS patients?

Yes - we're accepting new NHS patients, and we have capacity right now. Unlike many Edinburgh practices, our NHS list is open: you can register with us and book your first NHS examination online in minutes, and appointments are readily available.

How do I register as an NHS patient?

Just book a New Patient NHS Exam through our online booking system, or call us on 0131 228 2442 - registration happens as part of your first visit. There are no forms to complete before you book.

How much does NHS dental care cost?

NHS dental examinations are free for everyone in Scotland. For NHS treatment, you pay 80% of the cost, and you'll never pay more than £384 for a single course of treatment - anything beyond that is covered by the NHS. Under-26s, pregnant women and new mothers, and people on certain benefits pay nothing at all.

Can I be an NHS patient for check-ups and private for cosmetic treatment?

Yes - in Scotland you are entitled to mix NHS and private dentistry in a hybrid treatment plan, and many of our patients do exactly this. Your check-ups and routine care stay on the NHS, and treatments the NHS doesn't cover, such as whitening, composite bonding or Invisalign, can be done privately whenever you choose. You don't have to pick one or the other.

What does the NHS cover in Scotland?

The NHS covers the treatment needed to keep your mouth healthy - examinations, fillings, inlays and onlays, root canal treatment, extractions and dentures among others. Mainly cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening and veneers are private only. We'll always tell you before any treatment whether it's NHS or private, and what it costs.

How long is the wait for a first appointment?

There's no waiting list - new NHS patients can book directly into available appointments online and choose a time that suits them.

What is the £10 booking fee?

When you book an NHS examination we take a £10 appointment-holding fee. It's credited against any treatment you have, and refunded in full if you have no treatment or are exempt from NHS charges - so the examination itself stays free.

Is there parking at the practice?

Yes - the Princes Exchange Car Park is in our own building, accessed from Riego Street at the rear (9/2 Riego Street, EH3 9BL). Parking is payable: £3 for 1 hour, or £5 for up to 3 hours. The car park opens at 9:30am, so if you are driving to an earlier appointment we suggest street parking nearby. Blue Badge holders can park free on Fountainbridge, and we are a short walk from Haymarket Station.

NHS Dentist in Edinburgh — Now Accepting New Patients

Our NHS list is open. While most Edinburgh practices have closed their books, you can register with City Dental Care on Earl Grey Street and book your first free NHS examination online today — no waiting list.

Book your NHS exam online Call 0131 228 2442

Open until 8pm Monday to Thursday — see a dentist after work.

What happens when you register

Book online or call. Choose a New Patient NHS Exam through our booking system — registration happens as part of your first visit, with nothing to fill in beforehand.

Your first examination is free. NHS dental examinations cost nothing in Scotland. A refundable £10 appointment-holding fee secures your slot and is credited against any treatment, or returned in full.

A clear, honest plan. Your dentist examines your teeth and gums, takes any x-rays needed, and explains exactly what — if anything — needs doing, what NHS Scotland covers, what you could choose to have privately alongside it, and what everything costs before anything happens.

Getting here

We're at 9 Earl Grey Street, EH3 9BN — on Lothian Road at Tollcross, in the heart of Edinburgh, minutes from Fountainbridge and the Exchange business district, and a short walk from Haymarket Station and Princes Street. The Princes Exchange Car Park is in our own building (entry from Riego Street at the rear; opens 9:30am, £3 for an hour), and buses along Earl Grey Street and Lothian Road stop close by.

Want the detail on how NHS dentistry works in Scotland? See NHS & You — or browse our fees and meet the team.

A word from the practice

We're welcoming new NHS patients

Nervous? Don’t be! You’re Welcome

Dental Nerves Can be a hard thing to shake off. Anxiety from the Dentist is a common thing. However, it surely does help knowing that you have thoughtful caring that will listen to everything you have to say and make sure there is nothing for you to worry about. It also gives our patients a peace of mind knowing that our space feels nothing like a Dental Clinic!

Have Questions? Contact Us Now!

Dr. Amir, Associate Dentist at City Dental Care

Contact City Dental Care Experts Today

Our dental clinic in Edinburgh specialises in all types of dental treatments, including Invisalign and teeth-whitening options. Thanks to our expert team, our clinic at 9 Earl Grey Street delivers superior dental services to patients in a comfortable environment.