The proposals are out for consultation

It follows a report last year from the Office of Fair Trading suggesting that some patients were being "ripped off" by private dentists.

In future, dentists will have to give patients full information on their treatment options, the cost and whether or not it can be done on the NHS.

Those who fail to do so could face disciplinary action.

The OFT report followed a year-long inquiry into private dentistry. It found evidence that some patients were paying for private treatment when they could have been treated on the NHS.

It is excellent news for patients and dental professionals Hew Mathewson, General Dental Council

The report said some dentists were failing to tell patients about NHS alternatives. It also found that some patients were only told how much their treatment would cost after it had started.

Under proposals drawn up by the Department of Health, private dentists will have to be more upfront with patients.

Make complaints

Ministers will also make it easier for patients to complain about private dentists.

At present, there is no formal complaints system for non-NHS dentists. The General Dental Council, which regulates the profession, can only investigate serious complaints.

It will be given new powers to investigate less serious charges, such as failure to be upfront with patients about the cost of treatment.

The GDC has the power to discipline dentists and ultimately to ban them from practising in the UK.

Under the proposals which are out for public consultation, dentists will also be required to have indemnity insurance before they are allowed to practise.

The move will ensure patients are able to seek compensation if they have poor treatment.

"We are determined to make sure that patients get a fair deal and clear information when they receive dental treatment, whether in the NHS or in the private sector," said Health Minister Rosie Winterton.

"Our proposals are about assuring the quality of care that patients receive and will provide a more robust and effective complaints system to take early action when things go wrong."

'Excellent news'

The General Dental Council, which helped draw up the proposals, backed the changes.

"It is excellent news for patients and dental professionals," said Hew Mathewson, its president.

"We are committed to introducing a fair and effective complaints system to deal with private patient complaints that do not call into question the dentist's fitness for registration and which, therefore, cannot be dealt with effectively under the GDC's existing procedures.

"This new scheme should fill that gap, by enabling patients and dental professionals to resolve complaints fairly, efficiently, transparently and quickly."

Liberal Democrat health spoksman Paul Burstow welcomed the proposals.

But he added: "For those patients finding it impossible to even register with an NHS dentist, these changes will not be greeted with hearty cheers."