Looking for a new dentist in Hitchin? What happens at your first appointment
4 November 2026
Quick answer
If you are looking for a new dentist in Hitchin, we are welcoming new patients. Your first visit is a new patient examination, currently £65, which includes a full check-up, small x-rays and a written treatment plan with fees. You can book online, call 01462 451 300 or call in at reception.
Key takeaways
- Registering with a dentist in Hitchin starts with a new patient examination
- The new patient exam is currently £65, with a £45 deposit taken when you book
- Children under 18 have their own new patient exam, currently £35 with fluoride included
- You can see our hygienist without registering as a patient first
- After your first visit, you can join one of our membership plans starting from £26.11 a month
How to register with a new dentist in Hitchin
Registering with a private dentist is different from registering with a GP surgery. With us, it simply means booking your first new patient appointment.
You can book online at any time, ring us on 01462 451 300, or call in at reception at 5 Paynes Park, Hitchin SG5 1EH. We take a £45 deposit from you when you book, and the rest is paid on the day at your new patient appointment.
If you are moving from another practice, remember to cancel any payment plan you have there once you have moved. You can also ask your previous dentist for copies of recent x-rays if you would like us to see them.
In pain and need to be seen urgently?
You do not have to wait for a new patient appointment if you have a dental problem now. Same-day emergency appointments are available, so contact the practice and the team will help you find the earliest slot.
What happens at a new patient appointment
Your first visit is about getting to know your mouth, and you. We will ask about your medical history, anything that has been bothering you and what you would like from your dental care, then carry out a full assessment. It is what our patient journey page calls your new patient appointment, and it sets up everything that follows. Our Hitchin Dental Care team understand that some patients are nervous about their new patient appointment, you are welcome to call in advance if you have any questions.
The examination
We check each tooth for signs of decay, look closely at your gums and screen for mouth cancer. Small intra-oral x-rays then show what cannot be seen by eye, such as decay between teeth or underneath old fillings.
Your treatment plan
Before you leave, we talk through anything that needs attention and give you a personalised plan including fees and timescales. If your mouth is healthy, that may simply mean booking your next check-up.
How much is a new patient exam in Hitchin?
A new patient dental exam at Hitchin Dental Care is currently £65, reduced from £99 for a limited time. That covers everything above, from the x-rays to your treatment plan, and every price we charge is listed in our fee guide.
If a larger orbital x-ray is needed, for example to assess wisdom teeth or advanced gum disease, there is an extra fee of £72.50. After your first visit, the fee for a routine dental check-up is £62.95 pay as you go, or it is included in a membership plan.
New patient exams for children
As a family dentist in Hitchin, we see patients of every age. Children under 18 have their own new patient exam, currently £35 with fluoride included. We suggest bringing children in when their first tooth appears, usually at around six months, so the dentist feels familiar long before they need any treatment. Our children's dentist page explains how we look after younger patients.
What to bring to your first appointment
You do not need much, but a few things help us get the full picture.
- A list of any medicines you take, and details of any medical conditions
- The name of your previous dentist, if you have had one
- Any questions you have been saving up, however small they seem
Some medical conditions and medicines affect your teeth and gums, which is why we go through your history before we start.
How often should you go to the dentist?
We recommend a check-up every six months, even when nothing feels wrong. Gum disease and early decay rarely hurt at first, and finding them at a routine visit usually means a smaller, simpler fix. Your dentist may suggest a different interval, depending on your oral health.
Seeing a hygienist without registering
Our hygiene appointments, from a scale and polish to Airflow, are direct access, so you do not need to be a registered patient or have a referral to book one. You can see our dental hygienist in Hitchin first and book your new patient exam later, or the other way round.
How membership plans work after your first visit
Once you have had your new patient exam, you can join one of our membership plans, which spread the fees for routine care into a monthly payment. Plans start from £26.11 a month for two examinations and two hygiene appointments a year, and members get a discount on further treatment. You can compare the adult and children's plans on our dental membership plan page.
Nervous about the dentist?
You are far from the only one, and it helps to mention it when you book. We will go at your pace and explain each step before we do it. Dr Raju Jobanputra puts nervous patients at ease, and Dr Andrew Brown is a caring dentist who is very good with nervous patients too, so you can ask for either of them if that would help. You can read more about our dentists on the team page.
Visiting from Letchworth, Stevenage or Luton
We are at 5 Paynes Park in the centre of Hitchin, with parking nearby. If you are looking for a dentist in Letchworth, we are less than 15 minutes away. From Stevenage it is around 20 minutes along the A602, and from Luton about 19 minutes on the A505. Early morning and evening appointments make it easier to fit a check-up around work or the school run.
Looking for an NHS dentist?
Hitchin Dental Care is a private practice, so we do not offer NHS registration. There is no formal NHS dental register either, as NHS practices take on patients when they have space, and local availability can change often. If you want NHS dental care, the NHS find a dentist service shows which practices near you are accepting new NHS patients. If you would rather be seen sooner, or you are unsure what fits, registering with us is simple.
- Book a private new patient exam with us
- No waiting list for registration
- A full check-up, x-rays and a written plan at your first visit
- Hygiene appointments you can book directly, even before you register
Booking your first visit
If you are reviewing dentists in Hitchin, the first visit is the clearest way to see how we work or call in to ask any questions you may have. When you are ready, you can book your new patient exam online, call us on 01462 451 300 or call in at reception, and we will look forward to meeting you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hitchin Dental Care taking new patients, and how do I register?
Yes, we are a dentist accepting new private patients in Hitchin, and you register by booking a new patient examination online, by phone or at reception.
What happens at a new patient appointment?
We take your medical history, check your teeth and gums, screen for mouth cancer, take small x-rays, then give you a treatment plan with fees.
How much is a new patient exam, and what does it include?
It is currently £65 and includes a full dental assessment, small x-rays, a mouth cancer screen and a personalised treatment plan.
Do children need a separate new patient exam, and what is the fee?
Yes, children under 18 have their own new patient exam, currently £35 with fluoride included.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a list of any medicines you take, details of any medical conditions and the name of your previous dentist if you have one.
How often should you go to the dentist?
Most people should have a check-up every six months, although your dentist may recommend a different interval for you.
Can I see a hygienist without registering first?
Yes, our hygiene appointments are direct access, so you can book one without being a registered patient or having a referral.
How do membership plans work after the first visit?
After your new patient exam, you can join a plan from £26.11 a month that covers routine examinations and hygiene visits, with a discount on further treatment.
I am nervous about the dentist. What can I expect?
Tell us when you book and we will go at your pace and explain each step, and Dr Raju Jobanputra and Dr Andrew Brown are both known for putting nervous patients at ease.
How far is the practice from Letchworth, Stevenage and Luton?
By car, we are less than 15 minutes from Letchworth, around 20 minutes from Stevenage and about 19 minutes from Luton.
What should I do if I am not registered with a dentist?
If you are not registered with a dentist, the simplest step is to book a new patient exam with a practice that is taking on patients, and in an emergency you can call NHS 111 or a practice directly for advice.
Do I qualify for an NHS dentist?
Anyone can ask to be seen as an NHS patient, though availability depends on each practice, and some people, such as children and pregnant women, get NHS dental treatment free.
Is there a register for dentists?
There is no formal patient register for NHS dentistry, and every dentist in the UK must be registered with the General Dental Council, which you can check on the GDC register.
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