Cancel | Bow Lane Dental in London

Our dental clinic is open and you can read our COVID-safe procedures here.

We have unfortunately had to temporarily stop our beauty treatments in line with Government regulations. All existing appointments will be rescheduled.

Black Friday week
Your first dental check-up now just £70
Black Friday week
30% off teeth whitening & check-up package
Black Friday week
Your first dental check-up now just £70
Black Friday week
30% off teeth whitening & check-up package
Black Friday week
Your first dental check-up now just £70
Black Friday week
30% off teeth whitening & check-up package

Bridging the Gap: Encouraging Regular Dental Visits in the UK

March 27, 2025

As a dentist with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative regular dental care can be—not just for oral health but for overall well-being. Yet, despite the critical role of dentistry in preventive health, 39% of adults in the UK don’t visit the dentist regularly.

This statistic isn’t just a number; it’s a reflection of challenges we need to address as an industry. At Smile Hub, we’ve made it our mission to break down the barriers preventing patients from prioritising their oral health.

Understanding the Barriers

The reasons behind irregular dental visits are varied, but they typically occur because of the following:

1. Lack of education regarding how your dental health and general health are linked. If this was better understood by the public, they would appreciate how important it is to look after their teeth.

2. Poor messaging around good oral health habits means that most people don’t realise that they can preserve teeth and prevent the need for extensive intervention, such as fillings and restorative care. Teeth are designed to last a lifetime but are not always given the best chance due to poor oral hygiene and diets high in sugar and acid.

3. Concerns around the cost of care – regular dental visits to ensure optimal health and minimal intervention are deemed by some to be ‘not worth it’ and ‘if it ‘isn’t broke, don’t fix it’. Unfortunately, like most areas of the body, by the time it hurts, there is a much bigger (and more expensive) problem to be dealt with.   Regular visits can help to manage issues at the earliest opportunity, avoiding emergency care and staging any necessary treatment so both the time and cost are more manageable and less stressful.  Again, the lack of understanding regarding the oral health and general health link means that people put these visits off, not realising the wider and long-term implications for their heart health, for example.

4. Time constraints – finding time to schedule and attend appointments can feel impossible at times, especially for busy professionals.

5. Cost Concerns: For many, dental care feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. The perception of high costs, coupled with other financial priorities, can push oral health down the list.

We need to find new ways to address each of these challenges and break down the barriers for patients.

Making Dental Care Accessible

At Smile Hub, we’ve adopted a patient-centred approach to address these barriers. Here’s what’s working for us—

  1. Education and Transparency - Many patients don’t fully understand the connection between oral health and their overall health. For example, untreated gum disease has been linked to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. By educating patients on the long-term benefits of preventive care, we help them see dental visits as an investment in their well-being, not just a cosmetic fix.
  2. Flexible Hours for Busy Lives - In the heart of the City of London, we know our patients lead demanding lives. That’s why we offer appointments six days a week, including Saturdays. By aligning our availability with their schedules, we make it easier for them to prioritise their oral health. Our phone lines are open until 7.30pm during the week and until 4 pm on Saturday, and our online booking facility is open 24/7.
  3. A Comfortable Environment that Works - It’s essential to create a space that feels organised and welcoming. This means investing in modern, comfortable facilities and training our team to offer the best possible experience.  When our patients arrive, they can relax and not worry about being kept waiting, and the latest tech means we can manage our appointments efficiently.

The Role of Technology

Technology also plays a vital role in making dentistry more appealing. Treatments like EMS Airflow, which provides a gentle, comfortable cleaning experience, and digital imaging tools that reduce discomfort are game changers.  At each examination, we take a 3D scan of the mouth so we have up-to-date information for monitoring and record keeping.

By incorporating cutting-edge solutions, we can not only improve outcomes but also shift the perception of dentistry by providing accurate and visual education about each patient’s oral health.

What Can We Do?

To bridge the gap, we can work with both individuals and companies to create a culture where oral health is an equal partner to general health and is seen as essential to living well.  Our extensive experience in looking after companies can help remove the friction in providing a health benefit that is really appreciated.

For anyone reading this, I encourage you to make your oral health a priority this year. Book that overdue appointment, ask questions, and let your dentist partner with you on your journey to better health.

To change the habits of a lifetime, we need to work together to make regular dental care accessible, comfortable, and empowering for everyone. Together, we can shift that 39% into a healthier, more confident future.

Let’s bridge the gap—one smile at a time.

Request your appointment

Book a check-up

For routine check-ups and dental hygiene appointments that look after your dental health.

Book a consultation

Transform your smile with Invisalign, teeth whitening and composite bonding.

Great service.

Dylan Barber

Clean dental clinic. Maria dental hygienist was professional and caring. Highly recommend!

NazzaSIddi

The clinic has such a nice atmosphere. I highly recommend smile hub and Dr Hena.

Aron

Would recommend this dental practice to anyone

Daniel Backman

I was made to feel completely at ease throughout the whole process and I’m thrilled with the results.

Sophie Hawksworth

Great experience! I’ve been a few times, and the staff are all very friendly and efficient.

Bhavi

Very highly recommended! Definitely going back!

Walé A

Great attention to detail.

Hayley

Very happy with the service and treatment provided.

Karin Oberlechner

Excellent team; lovely new premises.

Lucy Finch

Excellent service. Highly recommend Kush and his staff.

Scott Dilena

Fantastic service, efficient, friendly, and amazing results. Highly recommended!

J Hinksman

Friendly, helpful, considerate and honest. Would happily recommend Smile Hub.

Holly

Excellent new premises and, as ever, impeccably professional friendly treatment.

Guy Morton

Very efficient and thorough with good guidance to ensure teeth remain sparkling.

Oliver Marsh

Superb facility, professional staff and fantastic service. I highly recommend Smile Hub at Spitalfields.

Steve Best

As always, Dr Mehta and all his staff are outstanding, could not recommend more.

Sara Biondi

5* service from Cath and the team - as always. I couldn't recommend highly enough.

Caroline Fearnside

Clean and welcoming place, nice and skilled staff. I had a cleaning and I recommend it.

Marie Collion

Really excellent dentist. Very caring & put me at ease. Highly recommended.

Alexandra Potts

Who knew that visiting the dentist could actually be a pleasant experience? Thank you!

Andrew Newman

A fantastic service from Smile Hub Spitalfields. Catherine and the team are great. I highly recommend.

Brooke Gilmore

Awesome service! They will be my go to dentists in future.

Nimo Ahmed

Maria Balas was incredibly friendly and helpful. Would recommend her to anyone looking for a thorough hygiene.

Eyo Ntekim

Very helpful and professional - repaired my chipped tooth on short notice and I’m very pleased with the work. Great experience!

Theo Benmar

I have been a patient of the clinic for five years and found them always competent, informative and pleasant.

Alessandro Merlo

Very professional clinic, friendly bunch. Unbeatable price and amazing finish.

Sam Sho

Great service, lovely people, very thorough, value for money. Thanks to Cath and the team.

Jed Curtis

Very friendly and professional. Always get great service and feel very comfortable. Very nice facilities.

Josh Chamberlain

Fantastic as always. Really efficient. Felt completely safe. Thorough and professional. Lovely new consulting rooms.

Alex Carver

Highly recommended and have been a customer for years.

Mark Jewell

Excellent, caring and friendly service. I am sure to return!

Yadubara Das

Friendly and professional service from all staff at Smile Hub. I had new Vivera retainers made and I am very happy with them!

Dianne Tipping

The service and care offered by the clinic was amazing

Maria Alonso

Kush was super helpful, patient and informative. Happy with the end result.

Christian Hayles

High quality dentists and hygienists in a beautiful office

Caroline Raul

Very professional and excellent customer service.

George Yeboah

Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable and 100% puts me at ease.

Leanne Glover

Excellent service and very friendly and competent.

Kenneth Baird

I can't speak highly enough of Catherine Freestone. She has been my dentist for a year and is amazing and a lovely person. Highly recommend Smile Hub.

Timothy Crooks

I highly recommend visiting this clinic if you want great, competent service by friendly experts!

Nicholas Newell

Excellent service and highly recommend Cath and Smile Hub.

Mary O'Reilly

The whole team is friendly and professional and they have the comfiest dental chair I've ever sat in!

D Valdar

My most trusted place for any dental issues. Kush is excellent at what he does and the staff is friendly and makes you comfortable.

Sirsa Majumder

Cath Freestone has been my dentist for just over three years. She has been fantastic and I recommend smilehub highly.

Celia Carr

Appreciate the service and quality, very good doctor. Definitely recommend.

Yuliia Kulykovska

I would definitely recommend people to contact Dr Freestone at Smile Hub.

Alex Wu

Outstanding customer service and the way they treat their customers is like no other dentist I've ever come across.

Nils

I had a great experience with Dr Cath Freestone at Smile Hub! She provided excellent advice and care and the surgery is very professional and modern.

Genevieve Aldridge

Took my 3 year old to see the dentist here last week. Wonderful service.

Sam Cook

Excellent service from Smilehub, the whole team is very professional and attentive.

Jonathan Russo

Dr Kush dealt with my situation with great professionalism and made the whole experience go smoothly.

Renu

I received an excellent service right the way through and the staff were very helpful and knowledgable.

Chris Murphy

Great and professional service! Lovely office as well.

Nadir Chioino

Really great dental practice, came here for a hygienist appointment and everything was perfect

Natalia

I can not recommend there professionalism, compassion, without judgment enough.

Paul Stansfield

I would highly recommend him for anyone looking for an honest and approachable dentist.

Giovanna Hsu

I really felt calm and well looked after. Well worth the visit and seamless experience.

Annette Neto

I would absolutely recommend if you are looking for an honest dentist that knows what they are doing!

Sophia Hannah

Their receptionist is very professional and helpful, and their facilities are kept very clean.

TM

I would give this 6 stars if I could. Great service from Emma who was extremely attentive and thorough. Highly recommend.

Emma Sabry

Kush is amazing and makes you feel so at ease; so friendly and professional.

Chloe Bowden

The results were amazing. Highly recommended.

Matt Scott

They explain everything that is happening in a clear, concise manner.

Claire Slora

I would always highly recommend them!

Bojana Jovanovic

Great service, easily the best dental surgery I've ever been to.

Rachel Edwards

Catherine's guidance is incredibly comforting and I would absolutely recommend

Craig Pechey

A wonderful dentist for small children.

Lucy Blake

Friendly and professional service from start to finish.

Aaron Kempen

Dr Kush was efficient and professional, explaining what he was doing and made me feel comfortable and putting my mind at ease.

Karen German

Have just finished my Invisalign treatment with Cath and I couldn’t be more pleased with my teeth.

Briony Steele

Everyone is very kind and attentive and the care and advice I received from Dr Catherine Freestone were absolutely brilliant.

Ana Draskovic

Staff were very attentive and made sure my whole experience from start to finish was as pleasant as possible.

Stuart Walton

Smile Hub has stood out as being consistently organised, kind and accommodating, and their work have always been impeccable.

Caitlan Lloyd

Excellent practice. Efficient, clean and always accommodating on availability.

Matthew Raeside

Fantastic Service with my Dental Hygienist Emma. Good Banter and a great clean.

Jeames Horn

Dr. Hena was wonderful ! She made me feel calm and explained the whole process calmly to me

Lisa Gabbai

The facilities are modern and clean.

Sean Bale

Fantastic service, best equipment and new techniques always being introduced.

Victoria Harud

Dr K is brilliant, made me feel super secure and relaxed, 100% booking all future visits here!

JW

Really fantastic place, would recommend.

Amanda Yim

Throughout I was confident I was in good hands

Henry Sykes

Hena and the team have been amazing as I worked through various dental issues with them.

Donall Breen

Came in with a toothache and the team there were very thorough and professional.

Jim Wee

Professional and caring. Thank you Kath & her team for your great service. Dr Hannah is a jewel of the dental practice.

Wijay Pitumpe

Comfortable atmosphere despite my initial stress regarding the treatment - would recommend!

Chris Ashfield

I will continue to go to Smile Hub for my regular dentist appointments as they have won me over with their efficient and friendly service.

Jantien Van Renterghem

Dr. Hena went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable during the procedure

Erica Corson

Happy to recommend Hena and Smile Hub to anyone else considering Invisalign treatment.

Gareth Haddow

could not be happier about the results or the service!

Sanjana Suresh

Would certainly recommend this practice to anyone!

Iain French

I highly recommend this dentist to anyone. Their reception team is also very accommodating!

JJ

Follow us on social media

See what’s happening at Smile Hub by following us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Find us

Smile Hub Spitalfields

8a Brushfield Street
London
E1 6AN

Opening times

Monday - Friday

9am - 5pm

Saturday

9am - 1pm

(By appointment only for Invisalign and composite bonding)

Sunday

Closed

Smile Hub Linklaters

Linklaters Wellness Centre
2nd Floor Milton House
One Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8HQ

Opening times

Tuesday - Thursday

9am - 5pm

Monday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Closed