David Saunders
If you’ve ever tried to squeeze a hygienist visit into a lunch break and emerged feeling like you’ve been through a car wash with feelings, Slow Dentistry is here to tell you—politely, firmly, and with a global movement behind it—that speed might be the very thing putting standards under pressure.
Modelled in spirit on the Slow Food Movement, Slow Dentistry reflects a cultural backlash to our breathless, “I want it now” pace of life. The premise is straightforward: better dentistry takes time—time to explain, time to consent, time to treat, and time to clean properly.
And cleanliness, it turns out, is not a footnote.
FOI inspection findings put infection control in the spotlight
As many as 1.9 million courses of dental treatment carried out in England over the last 12 months may have taken place at clinics that breach strict guidelines on health, safety and welfare, including cleanliness and infection control designed to prevent the spread of conditions such as HIV, hepatitis and vCJD.
Under Freedom of Information laws, Slow Dentistry obtained the results of inspections carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the healthcare regulator. The analysis points to a worrying gap between what patients assume is happening behind the scenes, and what inspection reports sometimes find.
According to the figures provided in the release, of the 1,067 dentists inspected by the CQC last year, 48 were found to be in breach of strict Department of Health regulations covering infection control (maintaining people’s health, safety and welfare) and the suitability and safety of premises where dental treatments take place. For context, NHS England reports 39.7 million courses of treatment were delivered in 2018-19.
In plain terms, most practices are doing the right thing, but the outliers matter—because infection control is not an “aim for” standard. It’s a baseline.
The man behind Slow Dentistry: “Time is crucial”
The results are of little surprise to dentist Miguel Stanley who initiated the Slow Dentistry movement and who commissioned the Freedom of Information request.
“As dentists we all want to deliver the best quality patient care. However, as the results of the CQC inspections have shown, steps to protect patients can be delivered inadequately by some, leading to patient safety being put at risk. I believe that the number of safety breaches could be reduced significantly if dentists had the right amount of time to deliver care.
Time is crucial when consenting patients, delivering treatment, and, importantly, when preparing a safe, hygienic environment for every patient. As dentists, we enter the profession with an aim of helping as many patients as possible, so its vital to make patient safety a top priority.
This is why the Slow Dentistry initiative was designed to improve standards of dental care around the world. We are working to encourage both dentists and patients to embrace a slower pace of dentistry, before, during and after treatment.
As our movement grows, we would aim to see the volume of these breaches decline significantly, as dentists would be afforded the time they need.”
It’s the sort of quote that lands because it refuses to play games: patient safety is not a marketing line; it’s the job. And the subtext is familiar in modern healthcare—when time is squeezed, corners get tempted.
What is Slow Dentistry, exactly?
Slow Dentistry describes itself as the brainchild of a group of renowned international dental clinicians, positioned as a global initiative designed to improve standards of dental care worldwide.
It’s also, crucially, a patient behaviour reset.
Because plenty of us are complicit. We book dentistry like it’s a tyre change: quick in, quick out, back to emails. Slow Dentistry argues that mentality is mismatched with what high-quality dental care actually requires—particularly when you factor in detailed explanations, careful consent, appropriate pain control, and rigorous room and equipment disinfection between patients.
The “slower mindset” patients need too
Slow Dentistry isn’t only calling on clinics to change pace; it’s asking patients to adjust expectations. No more “Can we just do it in twenty minutes?” as if teeth are a minor administrative task.
For member clinics aligned with the initiative, the promise is extra time before and during appointments: to inform people about their treatment, allow questions, and deliver care compassionately and safely.
The ABCD questions to ask before treatment
Dr Rhona Eskander, a key UK advocate for Slow Dentistry, has developed a mnemonic designed to keep patients focused on safety and standards before any work begins.
“The ABCD questions will make sure that your experience at the dentist is as safe, pain-free, clean and risk free as possible.”
Here’s the ABCD framework, in plain English.
A is for anaesthetic
Is my local anaesthetic working effectively before you start treatment so that my experience is pain-free?
B is for barrier
Is a rubber dam being used? A rubber dam is an isolating rubber barrier used in root canal treatments and other procedures where there is a risk of cross-contamination.
C is for consent
Your dentist should take time to explain the treatment you are having in detail, make sure you understand the details and sign a document to show that you have.
D is for disinfect
A full and appropriate disinfection of the dental consulting room and equipment is essential to avoid cross-contamination.
In other words: don’t be shy. You’re not being “difficult” by asking these questions—you’re being sensible.
What this means when you’re booking your next appointment
If you take one practical lesson from Slow Dentistry, let it be this: build time into the decision. A clinic that is willing to slow down—explaining options, checking comfort, documenting consent, and demonstrating clean protocols—shouldn’t feel like a luxury. It should feel normal.
And if a practice is rushing you through like a supermarket self-checkout, Slow Dentistry would argue that’s the moment to pause and ask: what exactly are we speeding past?
How to find a Slow Dentistry clinic in the UK
All member clinics which have signed up to the Slow Dentistry initiative have gone through rigorous checks to ensure they adhere to the four cornerstones. To find a Slow Dentistry clinic which has signed up to the initiative throughout the UK visit www.SlowDentistry.com/our-members/
FAQ
Is Slow Dentistry a formal regulation or a philosophy?
It’s a global initiative and approach to care, focused on time, safety processes, patient communication, and hygiene standards.
What should I look for in a safe dental appointment?
Clear explanation before treatment, documented consent, appropriate pain control, visible hygiene processes, and the willingness to answer questions without rushing.
What is a rubber dam and why does it matter?
It’s an isolating barrier commonly used during root canals and other procedures to reduce contamination risk and improve clinical control.
Do CQC breaches mean a practice is dangerous?
A breach indicates non-compliance with required standards identified during inspection. It doesn’t automatically define every aspect of care, but it is a serious signal patients should take into account.
