Dentists
Balham Lodge Dental Practice
229 Balham High Road,London, London SW17 7BG
Overview
Balham Lodge Dental Practice is a dental healthcare provider located on Balham High Road in the SW17 area of South London. The practice serves the local Balham community and surrounding areas, offering comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages. Like most UK dental practices, it likely provides both NHS and private dental services, making dental care accessible to a range of patients with different healthcare preferences and budgets.
The practice is conveniently situated on the main high street in Balham, making it easily accessible by public transport and local residents. As a dental practice, Balham Lodge typically offers services including routine check-ups, cleaning, fillings, and other general dentistry treatments. The practice aims to provide quality oral healthcare in a professional environment, helping patients maintain healthy teeth and gums.
For patients seeking dental care in the Balham area, the practice represents a local option for addressing dental health needs. Those interested in registering or learning about specific treatments and appointment availability are encouraged to contact the practice directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can register at Balham Lodge Dental Practice in London by calling 020 8672 1774, visiting the practice in person, or completing a registration form on their website. Unlike GP registration, you do not need to live within a catchment area to join an NHS dentist — you can register with any practice that is accepting NHS patients. You will be asked for your name, date of birth, address, medical history, and details of any medications you take. Your first appointment will usually include a full dental examination.
NHS dental places can be limited and availability changes frequently. Contact Balham Lodge Dental Practice directly on 020 8672 1774 to check whether they are currently accepting new NHS patients. If Balham Lodge Dental Practice is full, you can call NHS 111 or use the NHS website (nhs.uk) to find other NHS dentists near London accepting new patients. You do not need a referral — simply contact the practice.
If you are registered at Balham Lodge Dental Practice, call 020 8672 1774 during opening hours for an emergency appointment. Outside surgery hours, call NHS 111 for advice — they can direct you to the nearest emergency dental service. Go to A&E only if you have uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, or trauma to the face or jaw. For dental pain at home, take over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol), rinse with warm salt water, and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek.
NHS dental charges in England are set nationally and apply at Balham Lodge Dental Practice. As of 2024, Band 1 (check-up, diagnosis, X-rays, scale and polish if needed, preventive advice) costs £26.80. Band 2 (fillings, root canal treatment, extractions) costs £73.50. Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges) costs £319.10. An urgent dental treatment charge is £26.80. If you need more than one treatment in the same course, you only pay the highest band. You may be entitled to free NHS dental care if you are under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, receiving certain benefits, or hold an HC2 certificate.
Tooth whitening is not available on the NHS as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. However, Balham Lodge Dental Practice may offer private tooth whitening services. Professional dental whitening is safe when carried out by a registered dental professional and typically involves custom-made trays with whitening gel for home use, or in-surgery whitening. In the UK, only registered dental professionals can legally carry out tooth whitening. Ask Balham Lodge Dental Practice about private whitening options and pricing.
Balham Lodge Dental Practice in London provides a full range of NHS dental treatments including routine check-ups and examinations, scale and polish, fillings (amalgam and tooth-coloured where clinically appropriate), root canal treatment, tooth extractions, dentures (full and partial), crowns, bridges, and dental X-rays. Preventive care such as fluoride varnish for children and fissure sealants is also available on the NHS. Your dentist will explain which treatments are available under the NHS and which may only be offered privately.
Generally, you need to be registered with an NHS dental practice to receive routine care. However, any NHS dentist must provide emergency treatment if you are in pain, even if you are not registered with them. Contact Balham Lodge Dental Practice on 020 8672 1774 to ask about emergency availability for non-registered patients. If you cannot find an NHS dentist, call NHS 111 for help finding one near London.
During a routine check-up at Balham Lodge Dental Practice, your dentist will examine your teeth for signs of decay, check your gums for gum disease, examine the soft tissues of your mouth (tongue, cheeks, palate, throat) for any abnormalities including signs of oral cancer, review any existing dental work (fillings, crowns, dentures), take X-rays if needed to check between teeth and below the gum line, carry out a scale and polish if clinically indicated, and discuss your oral hygiene routine. The entire appointment typically takes 20-30 minutes.
Balham Lodge Dental Practice understands that many patients feel anxious about visiting the dentist. The practice offers a supportive, understanding environment and can accommodate nervous patients with longer appointment times, a detailed explanation of each step before it happens, the option to pause treatment at any time, distraction techniques, and referral for sedation if appropriate. Let the team know about your anxiety when booking — they will do everything they can to make your visit comfortable. Severe dental phobia can be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) through the NHS.
If you have a concern about your care at Balham Lodge Dental Practice, speak to the practice manager first — most issues can be resolved informally and quickly. If you wish to make a formal complaint, write to the practice manager with details of the issue within 12 months. The practice must acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days. If you are not satisfied with the practice response, you can contact NHS England (for NHS treatment complaints), the General Dental Council (GDC) if you have concerns about a dentist's fitness to practise, or the Dental Complaints Service for private treatment disputes.
Yes, you can transfer to Balham Lodge Dental Practice at any time. Simply contact the practice on 020 8672 1774 to register as a new patient. Your dental records will be requested from your previous practice. If you are mid-treatment at another practice, it is best to complete that course of treatment before transferring, as a new course of treatment at Balham Lodge Dental Practice may incur a new NHS charge.
Yes, every routine dental check-up at Balham Lodge Dental Practice includes a soft tissue examination where the dentist checks the mouth, tongue, cheeks, and throat for any unusual changes that could indicate oral cancer. This takes only a few minutes and is included in your Band 1 check-up. Mouth cancer can affect anyone but is more common in smokers, heavy drinkers, and those with HPV. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. If you notice any unusual lumps, ulcers lasting more than 3 weeks, red or white patches, or difficulty swallowing, contact Balham Lodge Dental Practice promptly.
Balham Lodge Dental Practice may offer private dental treatments alongside NHS care. Common private options include tooth-coloured (white) fillings on back teeth, porcelain crowns and veneers, tooth whitening, dental implants, invisible braces (such as Invisalign), and private hygienist appointments. Private treatment is not subject to NHS band charges and is priced per procedure. Ask Balham Lodge Dental Practice for a written treatment plan with costs before starting any private work so you know exactly what to expect.
Yes, Balham Lodge Dental Practice welcomes children of all ages. NHS dental care is free for all children under 18 (or under 19 if in full-time education). Services include regular check-ups, fluoride varnish applications (recommended from age 3), fissure sealants to protect back teeth, fillings, extractions, and orthodontic assessments. It is recommended to take your child to the dentist from when their first milk teeth appear (around 6 months) or by their first birthday. Early visits help children become comfortable with the dental environment.