How DentalGateways Works

Finding a good dentist shouldn’t be complicated. We’ve made DentalGateways as simple as possible – pick your location, browse what’s available, get the information you need. No accounts, no fees, no hassle.

What Makes DentalGateways Different?

There are other dental directories out there. Here’s why we think ours is better:

Complete UK Coverage

We’re not just focusing on London, Manchester, and Birmingham. We’re building a directory that covers every corner of the UK – from major cities to small towns that other directories seem to forget about.

Living in a rural area? We’ve got you covered. Moved to a smaller city? We’ve got information for your area too. Everyone deserves easy access to dental care information, regardless of where they live.

Location-Based Organization

We organize everything by geographic location because that’s what actually matters when you’re looking for a dentist. You don’t care about dentists in Newcastle when you live in Cornwall.

Our structure goes from broad to specific – country, county, city, and eventually (in major areas) down to neighborhood level. This means you can find exactly what’s available in your specific area without wading through irrelevant listings.

Helpful Context, Not Just Lists

A phonebook just gives you names and numbers. We give you context. What’s the NHS dental situation like in your area? What do treatments typically cost in your region? Where’s the nearest emergency dental service?

This extra information helps you make better decisions about your dental care. It’s not just “here are some dentists” – it’s “here’s what you need to know about dental services in your area.

Completely Free to Use

You don’t need to create an account. You don’t need to provide your email address. You don’t need to pay anything. Just visit the site, find what you need, and go about your day.

We might work with dental practices in the future for enhanced listings, but using our directory will always be free for people looking for dental care.

Mobile-Friendly Design

Let’s be honest – you’re probably reading this on your phone right now. We’ve designed DentalGateways to work perfectly on any device, because people often need to find a dentist when they’re out and about, not just when they’re sat at a desk.

Same information, same features, whether you’re on a phone, tablet, or computer.

How We Get Our Information

You might be wondering where all this dental information comes from. Here’s the honest answer:

We compile data from various publicly available sources – NHS databases, dental practice websites, local authority information, and public directories. We then verify and organize this information in a way that’s actually useful.

We’re continuously updating our directory as things change. Dental practices move, phone numbers change, NHS availability shifts – we try to keep on top of all these updates.

If you spot something that’s wrong or out of date, please let us know. We rely on users like you to help keep our information accurate. We’ll update it right away.

What We Don’t Do

Let’s be clear about what DentalGateways is NOT:

We’re Not a Booking Service

We don’t handle appointments. You’ll need to contact dental practices directly to book. We provide the information you need to make that call, but we’re not a middleman between you and the practice.

We’re Not a Review Site

We don’t rate dentists or collect reviews. There are other websites for that. We’re focused on providing factual information about what services are available and how to access them.

We Don’t Give Medical Advice

Got a toothache and wondering what to do? We can tell you where to find dental services, but we can’t diagnose your problem or recommend treatments. For medical advice, you need to speak to a qualified dentist or call NHS 111.

We’re Not Pushing Specific Dentists

We provide information about what’s available. We’re not getting paid to recommend certain practices over others (at least not in the current phase of our business). The choice of which dentist to use is entirely yours.

Using the Site Effectively

Here are some tips to get the most out of DentalGateways:

Start Broad, Then Narrow Down

If you’re new to an area, start with the county or city page to get an overview. Then narrow down to your specific neighborhood or nearby areas.

Read the Local Guides

Don’t skip the information sections on location pages. They contain useful context about dental services in your area that might affect your choices.

Always Verify Before Visiting

While we work hard to keep information up to date, things change. Always call ahead to confirm a practice is accepting new patients, check their current opening hours, and verify they offer the services you need.

Use the Search Function

If you know exactly what you’re looking for, use the search box on our homepage. Type in your town or postcode and go straight to relevant information.

Bookmark Useful Pages

Found information that’s helpful? Bookmark the page for future reference. You might need those emergency dental contacts or NHS registration guides again later.

Emergency Dental Care

This is important, so we’re giving it its own section:

If you’ve got a serious dental emergency – severe pain, facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, trauma to your teeth or jaw – don’t spend ages browsing our website. Call NHS 111 immediately or go to A&E if it’s life-threatening.

Our emergency dental information is for planning purposes and less urgent situations. It’s there so you know what’s available in your area before you actually need it.

In a genuine emergency, speed matters more than finding the perfect dentist. Get help first, worry about the details later.

For Different User Needs

New to an Area

Just moved and need to find a new dentist? Start with your city page to see what’s available. Look for practices near your home or work, check if they’re taking new NHS patients (if that’s what you need), and make some calls.

Looking for Specific Treatments

Need orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, or specialist care? Check the information on your local page about specialist services. Not all practices offer everything, so you might need to travel a bit further for specialized treatments.

Emergency Situations

Dental emergency outside normal hours? Every location page includes information about accessing emergency dental care in that area – whether it’s NHS out-of-hours services or private emergency dentists.

Parents Looking for Family Dentists

If you’re looking for a dentist that’s good with kids, check practice websites (we link to them where available) for information about pediatric services. Many practices highlight if they’re particularly family-friendly.

Senior Care

Looking for dental care for elderly relatives? Some practices offer home visits or have experience with elderly patients. Call practices directly to ask about these services – we indicate which practices might offer them where this information is available.

Future Features

We’re always working to improve DentalGateways. Here are some things we’re considering adding in the future:

Enhanced Search: Filter by specific services (orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, etc.) or requirements (wheelchair access, parking available, languages spoken).

Comparison Tools: Compare opening hours, services offered, and other key details between multiple practices side by side.

Practice Profiles: More detailed information about individual dental practices, including photos, team information, and detailed service descriptions.

Patient Resources: More guides about different dental procedures, what to expect, costs, and how to prepare for appointments.

Got ideas for features you’d find useful? Let us know. We build features based on what people actually need, not what sounds cool.

Keeping Information Accurate

Accuracy is really important to us. There’s nothing worse than calling a dentist only to find they moved location six months ago.

We update our directory regularly, checking and verifying information. But the UK has thousands of dental practices, and things change constantly. That’s where you come in.

If you notice something wrong – a phone number that doesn’t work, an address that’s outdated, a practice that’s closed down – please tell us. Send a quick email to updates@dentalgateways.co.uk with the details and we’ll fix it.

We usually update corrections within 24 hours on weekdays. Quick fixes help everyone who uses the site after you.

Privacy and Your Data

When you use DentalGateways, we don’t collect personal information about you. No registration required, no accounts to create, no forms to fill out.

We do use cookies to make the site work properly and understand how people use it (which pages are popular, what device types people use, etc.), but this is anonymous data. We can’t identify you personally.

For full details, check our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. They’re written in plain English, promise.

Still Got Questions?
If anything about how DentalGateways works is unclear, just ask us. We’re happy to explain.