Just moved to SE22? Or finally decided to find a dentist after a few years without one? East Dulwich has a good number of practices within walking distance of Lordship Lane, which is great, but it also makes it harder to know where to start. This guide covers how registering with a dentist actually works in the UK, what to look for, and what to expect at your first appointment.
“Registering” with a dentist doesn’t quite work like a GP
This surprises a lot of people. With a GP you sign up to a list in your catchment area. Dentists don’t work like that. There’s no formal catchment and no lifelong list. You simply book an appointment with a practice, become one of its patients and keep going back for check-ups.
NHS places in South London are often limited, and waiting lists can be long. Private practices like ours can usually see new patients within days. Whichever route you take, it’s worth booking a check-up soon after you move rather than waiting until something hurts.
What to look for in an East Dulwich dentist
1. Proper registration
Every dentist, hygienist and dental nurse in the UK has to be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). Good practices publish GDC numbers on their website so you can check them yourself on the GDC register. You’ll find ours on our Meet the Team page.
2. Specialists in-house
Ask whether the practice can handle more complex work itself or whether you’ll be sent elsewhere. At our practice, Dr Ohsun Kwon provides orthodontics (including Invisalign), Dr Ahmed Ali does root canal treatment under a microscope, and we place Straumann dental implants on site.
3. Opening hours that fit your life
If you commute into town, an appointment at 11am on a Tuesday is no good. Look for evening and Saturday slots. We open late several evenings a week and on Saturdays. Check our contact page for current hours.
4. Clear costs
You should get a written treatment plan with prices before any work starts. If a practice is vague about fees, ask why. Our full fee list is on our prices page.
5. Real reviews
Read Google reviews, and look past the star rating to what people actually say. Comments about how staff handled a nervous patient or an emergency tell you more than a row of five-star ratings with no text.
6. Somewhere you can actually get to
A dentist you can walk to is a dentist you’ll actually visit. We’re at 2 Lordship Lane, at the Goose Green end, a short walk from East Dulwich station (about eight minutes from London Bridge by train). Buses come in from Peckham, Camberwell, Herne Hill, Nunhead, Forest Hill and Honor Oak.
What happens at your first appointment
Here’s what a new patient visit with us looks like, so there are no surprises:
- A quick medical history form. Medication, allergies and any health conditions all matter for dental care, so we’ll ask.
- A chat. What’s bothering you, what you’d like to change, and anything that makes you anxious.
- A full examination. Teeth, gums, bite, and a check of your mouth for early signs of problems, including oral cancer screening.
- X-rays if needed. These show decay between teeth and problems below the gum line that can’t be seen by eye.
- A written plan. If anything needs doing, we explain the options, the costs and the timing. Nothing happens without your agreement.
If you’re due a clean, you can book a hygienist appointment straight after, on the same day or later.
What to bring
- A list of any medication you take
- Details of your previous dentist, if you have them (helpful but not essential)
- Any recent X-rays, if you had them taken elsewhere in the last year or so
- Questions. Write them down, because it’s easy to forget them in the chair.
Bringing the family?
We see patients of all ages, so the whole household can come to one place. Children should start check-ups around age two. Our dental care plan spreads routine check-ups and hygiene visits into a monthly payment, which many families find easier to budget for.
Common questions
Do I need to live in East Dulwich to register?
No. There’s no catchment area for dentists. Plenty of our patients live in Dulwich Village, Peckham, Herne Hill or work nearby.
How quickly can I be seen?
New patient appointments are usually available within a few days. If you’re in pain, call us, because we keep time for same-day emergencies.
Is it a problem that I haven’t seen a dentist for years?
Not at all. That’s very common. If you’re feeling nervous about it, have a read of our guide for nervous patients.
Can I switch dentists if I’m already with another practice?
Yes. Just book with us. You don’t need to tell your old practice, although asking them to send your records can help.
Book your first visit
Aesthetic Dental Zone has been looking after patients on Lordship Lane since 2012, alongside our sister practice Dulwich Dental Clinic, which has been part of the area for over 20 years. If you’re looking for a dentist in East Dulwich, call us on 020 8299 1434 or book online, and we’ll find you a time that works.
