Dentists
Drury Lane Dental Care
59 Shorts Gardens,Covent Garden,London, London WC2H 9AA
Overview
Drury Lane Dental Care is a dental practice located in the heart of Covent Garden, London's vibrant entertainment and cultural district. Situated on Shorts Gardens, the practice serves the local community and visitors to central London with comprehensive dental services. The location in this well-established area makes it easily accessible for both routine appointments and emergency dental care needs.
The practice provides a full range of general dental services including check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and tooth extractions. Drury Lane Dental Care also offers cosmetic treatments and preventative dental care to help patients maintain healthy smiles. The team works to create a welcoming environment for patients of all ages, from children to adults requiring ongoing dental support.
Being situated in Covent Garden, the practice benefits from excellent public transport links via London Underground and buses, making it convenient for patients across the capital. The practice operates standard dental care hours and welcomes new patients. Those seeking dental treatment in central London can contact the practice directly to book appointments or discuss their specific dental care requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can register at Drury Lane Dental Care in London by calling 020 7240 1778, 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 Drury Lane Dental Care directly on 020 7240 1778 to check whether they are currently accepting new NHS patients. If Drury Lane Dental Care 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 Drury Lane Dental Care, call 020 7240 1778 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 Drury Lane Dental Care. 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.
Yes, Drury Lane Dental Care 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.
Drury Lane Dental Care follows strict infection control protocols as required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Department of Health. Measures include sterilisation of all instruments using autoclaves, single-use disposable items (gloves, masks, suction tips) for every patient, surface disinfection between appointments, hand hygiene protocols for all clinical staff, and regular infection control audits. These measures protect patients and staff from cross-infection. You can ask to see the practice's infection control policy if you wish.
If you have a concern about your care at Drury Lane Dental Care, 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, Drury Lane Dental Care uses dental X-rays as part of routine examinations. These may include bitewing X-rays (to check between teeth for decay and bone levels), periapical X-rays (to see the root of a specific tooth), and panoramic X-rays (a full view of all teeth and jaws). Dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation and are safe. Your dentist will only take X-rays when clinically necessary — typically every 6 to 24 months depending on your risk of dental disease. X-rays are included in NHS Band 1 charges.
Dental implants are generally not available on the NHS except in very specific clinical circumstances (for example, if you cannot wear dentures due to severe bone loss or after oral cancer treatment). Drury Lane Dental Care may offer dental implants as a private treatment, or can refer you to a specialist implant dentist. Implant treatment involves placing a titanium post into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or bridge. Ask Drury Lane Dental Care about implant options and costs.
NHS dental charges at Drury Lane Dental Care are payable at the time of treatment. Most practices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. You should receive a receipt and an FP17DC form confirming your NHS treatment and the band charged. If you are exempt from charges, bring evidence (such as a maternity exemption certificate, HC2 certificate, or proof of benefits). For private treatment, Drury Lane Dental Care may offer payment plans or finance options — ask the practice for details.
Drury Lane Dental Care 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.
Your dentist at Drury Lane Dental Care will recommend a recall interval based on your individual oral health needs. NHS guidelines (NICE) recommend check-ups every 3 to 24 months for adults and every 3 to 12 months for children and young people under 18. If your teeth and gums are healthy, you may only need to visit once every 12-24 months. Patients with gum disease, a history of decay, or other risk factors may need more frequent visits. Your dentist will advise the best interval for you at each appointment.
Drury Lane Dental Care 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 Drury Lane Dental Care for a written treatment plan with costs before starting any private work so you know exactly what to expect.
Tooth whitening is not available on the NHS as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. However, Drury Lane Dental Care 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 Drury Lane Dental Care about private whitening options and pricing.