Bishopthorpe Dental Centre
Located at 30 Sim Balk Lane in the Bishopthorpe area of York, Bishopthorpe Dental Centre is a trusted local practice dedicated to providing professional, modern, and affordable dental care to families and individuals. As part of the highly-rated Thorpe Dental Group, this clinic combines clinical expertise with a genuinely warm and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every visit feels personal and stress-free. Whether you are seeking routine check-ups, complex restorative work, or emergency treatment, the experienced team is committed to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile.
The practice is renowned for its gentle approach, particularly for patients with dental anxiety or phobias. The skilled clinicians specialize in sedation dentistry, including intravenous and inhalation sedation, making difficult procedures like extractions and root canals comfortable and manageable. Children are also welcome; the team has extensive experience in paediatric dentistry, offering acclimatisation appointments and gentle care to build positive dental habits from a young age. Emergency services are available, with a dedicated out-of-hours hotline for urgent issues such as toothaches, swelling, or trauma.
Bishopthorpe Dental Centre offers a comprehensive range of treatments, from essential general dentistry to advanced cosmetic solutions. Patients can access Digital Dentistry via CEREC technology for same-day crowns, ensuring precision and efficiency. For those looking to transform their appearance, the clinic provides Invisalign aligners, professional teeth whitening, and cosmetic bonding. The practice is also a specialist center for dental implants, offering everything from initial consultation to 'Teeth-in-a-Day' solutions and long-term maintenance. Additional services include dental hygiene, air polishing, facial aesthetics, and a variety of restorative options like bridges and veneers.
To make dental care more accessible, the centre offers flexible private membership plans (Silver, Gold, and Plus) designed to encourage regular preventive care. These plans include routine examinations, hygiene appointments, X-rays, and discounts on most treatments, along with a worldwide emergency assistance scheme. With a reputation reflected in hundreds of five-star reviews, Bishopthorpe Dental Centre is the go-to choice for residents in south York seeking compassionate, high-standard dental healthcare.
Opening hours
- sunday: (closed)
- monday: 9h-17h
- tuesday: 9h-17h
- wednesday: 9h-17h
- thursday: 9h-17h
- friday: 9h-17h
- saturday: (closed)
Photos of Bishopthorpe Dental Centre
Our comment from Best Dentists about Bishopthorpe Dental Centre:
A Compassionate Approach for Anxious Patients and Children
Bishopthorpe Dental Centre, operating under the Thorpe Dental Group and Implant Suite, has established itself as a welcoming sanctuary for patients who have previously experienced dental anxiety or trauma. The team is consistently praised for their patience, compassion, and ability to put nervous patients at ease. Many reviews highlight successful treatments performed without the need for heavy sedation, attributing this to the clinicians' skill and calming demeanor. Special attention is given to children, with the practice receiving commendation for handling pediatric patients with fear of dentistry, ensuring their first visits are positive and manageable.
Comprehensive Care and Patient-Centric Communication
The practice provides a full range of general and private dental services, including cosmetic dentistry, implantology, and digital dentistry. What sets the team apart is their commitment to thorough education and clear communication. Patients frequently mention that their dentists, such as Dr. Catherine Lightowler and Dr. Carlie Betts, take the time to explain procedures clearly, discuss treatment options, and answer all questions without rushing. This approach ensures patients feel informed and in control of their oral health journey, leading to high satisfaction rates regarding consultations and check-ups.
Efficient Emergency Services and Professional Hygiene
Beyond routine care, the centre is highly regarded for its responsive emergency services. Patients have reported receiving prompt appointments for urgent issues, such as broken teeth or severe pain, with many noting that they were seen within hours of contacting the practice. The hygiene team is also highlighted for its meticulous care; long-term patients appreciate the comprehensive gum disease assessments and deep cleaning services that address underlying health issues, resulting in visibly improved gum health and overall oral hygiene standards.
A Trusted, Community-Focused Practice
Located in the south suburb of York, Thorpe Dental Group combines professional expertise with a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. The staff, from receptionists to clinicians, are described as welcoming, polite, and professional. The practice is noted for its fair and competitive pricing, including well-regarded membership plans, which make quality care accessible. With a reputation for consistency and high standards, many patients state they would not go anywhere else, praising the team for treating them with respect and delivering excellent care without chasing targets.
Bishopthorpe Dental Centre: Reviews
Reviews are the opinions of their authors. We do not verify that the author was a customer.
Reviews on Google
4,9 out of 5 from 143 reviews
Fantastic experience: This is, without a doubt, the best dental surgery I've ever had the pleasure of going to! The staff are amazing. After many bad experiences of dentistry, Im a scardy baby, previously paying a lot of money for sedation for tooth extractions.. today, I had a tooth taken out with no sedation.. Cathy is such a super dentist.. the whole team at Thorp Dental surgery are amazing.. understanding, compassionate, and caring. Thank you all so much! A very Happy toothless customer!
Fantastic experience: My 10 year old daughter has a phobia of dentists which has made treatment difficult in the past. The team here gave my daughter the time and compassion to achieve a tooth extraction with the help of sedation. Without this help, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been possible. Dr Carlie has been absolutely fantastic. Thank you once again
Fantastic experience: Catherine is a brilliant dentist. Explains everything very clearly and is very reassuring. Receptionist is lovely and the whole practice has a very positive atmosphere.
Fantastic experience: What a fabulous experience. My daughter had to have an extraction and she was so frightened. She had it taken out with gas and air, done in a jiffy, highly recommend. Xxx
Fantastic experience: As good as it can be at a dentist!!
Fantastic experience: This practice is so caring, l am having a period with a very poorly partner,and needed a quick solution to a bad tooth ache preventing me being at my best too support my partner, from receptionist to dentist they understood and fixed it. HUGE THANKYOU ...
Fantastic experience: Lovely, friendly, knowledgeable dental practice.
Fantastic experience: Best dental practice I've ever been a patient at.
Fantastic experience: The whole team at Bishopthorpe practice are lovely and professional. My dentist Gwyneth is exceptional at putting me at ease and my hygienist takes such time and care with me.
Fantastic experience: Friendly, professional experience. So pleased that l found this group practice after moving back up North after 5+ yrs in London. Thanks team.
Fantastic experience: Pleasant, painless - will come again
Fantastic experience: Thanks to Carlie and the team at Bishopthorpe. Fitted me in at short notice which was much appreciated.
Fantastic experience: On time no fuss no probs
Fantastic experience: As usual very competent and extremely pleasant staff.
Fantastic experience: Another pleasant visit to the dentist, thank you
Fantastic experience: new staff and as friendly as always plus great treatment
Fantastic experience: Great as always the team are on the ball and very understanding with a nervous Client like me
Fantastic experience: Sorry if my first attempt went wrong: everything was excellent this morning.
Fantastic experience: Very professional and pleasant
Fantastic experience: Professional service and friendly staff. Excellent!
Fantastic experience: Can't rate the service I received highly enough.
Fantastic experience: Very friendly and professional
Fantastic experience: All the staff were extremely welcoming and incredibly understanding in respect of my late arrival! Very professional and friendly!
Fantastic experience: Great personalised service and high quality dental work. I appreciate the time taken to explain what is going on and the possible treatment options. Very happy customer!
Fantastic experience: Friendly and helpful staff, excellent service
Fantastic experience: 3rd visit in as many weeks and each visit has been a great experience! I know it is the ‘Dentist’ but everyone I have met has been really helpful and thorough. Kids first visit next week!
Fantastic experience: Amazing service, highly recommended.
Fantastic experience: Very welcoming and pleasant experience. Thank you
Fantastic experience: Excellent service, after getting a broken tooth I got a appointment quickly and had my choices fully explained
Positive experience: Very good consultation - good COVID precautions. Set up further visit.
Fantastic experience: The Dentists and assistants offer a great service and are really friendly and accommodating. Dr Lightower is very thorough and I feel at ease when she is working on my teeth.
Fantastic experience: Highly professional and excellent treatment.
Fantastic experience: I wouldn't go to any other dentist. After years of poor service I finally found Dr Carlie Betts at Bishopthorpe. She turned me from a nervous patient into someone who actually looks forward to going!
Fantastic experience: Fantastic service from start to finish! I’m not great with dentists but Carlie and Shannon both made me feel at ease all the way through my appointment. Very professional, knowledgeable and friendly staff across the board. Highly recommend!
Positive experience: Visiting the dentist is a necessary activity, and not one I ever look forward to, but the friendly faces and professionalism for keeping my teeth in good order make it worthwhile.
Fantastic experience: First rate highly professional care - efficient, very friendly and extremely reassuring.
Fantastic experience: Excellent standard of service with professional, friendly staff who are focussed on looking after patients rather than chasing NHS targets. Their monthly membership plans are very competitively priced compared to other private dental practices.
Fantastic experience: My experience has always been positive. Staff are caring and professional.
Fantastic experience: Lovely practice, always great friendly service
Fantastic experience: I had a dental emergency with a broken tooth.I received an early appointment and a difficult problem fixed.I was most grateful and appreciative of the care and attention I received.
Fantastic experience: Rang for an emergency appointment and was offered one within 2 hours. Excellent service.
Fantastic experience: Excellent dentist. Thank you
Fantastic experience: Great service and excellent care! Exceptional safety procedures in place . Lovely friendly staff x
Fantastic experience: My half yearly checkup today. Its unusual to be able to say its always a pleasant experience to visit the dentists but in the two years I have used this practice I can honestly say for me this is the case. Even when treatment has been required I've walked out smiling. The professionalism of all the staff is excellent. Couple this with an excellent helping of humour and you have an exemplary dental practice. Its 10 out of 10 for me.
Fantastic experience: Doctor Betts and the team have been amazing. My daughter is severely dental phobic. They have treated her with respect and never ending patience. Always warm in their welcome and listening to her concerns. I can't praise them enough.
Fantastic experience: Great experience here, extremely professional and knowledgable giving the best care possible!
Fantastic experience: Excellent service as ever, very friendly and highly efficient. All in all a top notch dental practice!!
Positive experience: The only downside was a 10 minute wait.
Fantastic experience: Genuinely the friendliest, most caring dentist I’ve ever used. Everything is explained, care is first class, and you never feel like you’re being rushed in and out. Would recommend to anyone!
Fantastic experience: Excellent service, great dentist.
Fantastic experience: Excellent service. Lovely, friendly and reassuring staff. Would highly recommend.
Fantastic experience: Friendly, pleasant and efficient but caring service
Fantastic experience: A friendly and polite daental practice, who’s staff provide a professional and thorough service, In general a good service all round.
Fantastic experience: Friendly staff. Professionally run. No complaints.
Negative experience: Absolutely appalled Haven’t been to this dentist in a couple of years as my life was in such turmoil and over lockdown was made homeless etc, only just got back on my feet and am desperate to see dentist but haven’t got any money until August so asked if I could make an appointment for first week In August and join their payment plan, then to be told I have to pay money upfront to make an appointment knowing full well I had just told her I had no money until August. I have massive gum infection, teeth moving and a massive hole in a tooth through lockdown and now to be told they want money upfront to make an appointment is awful especially when so many have been struggling and no nhs are taking on at the moment. I am in pain but can cope until August and now I have no hope of getting anything fixed and with an infection in my gums which could spread I am disgusted that I was spoke to this way and asked for money upfront when I have never been asked before. I work full time and have worked all through lockdown and needed some help and now I have no dentist and have no idea what to do. There is nothing on their website that states they need money upfront to make an appointment either.
Fantastic experience: Excellent dentist and care. The dentist put me at ease straight away, excellent care and treatment. Highly recommend
Fantastic experience: Got an emergency appointment for a tooth removal fantastic service
Fantastic experience: Lovely little surgery, very clean and friendly staff who are very quick to reassure you and help in anyway they can
Fantastic experience: Friendly and professional dentist. I would willingly recommend to others.
Fantastic experience: Nice people, fixed me up quick.
Fantastic experience: Always friendly and professional, I feel like I'm in the hands of experts everytime I go for a check up or treatment.
Fantastic experience: Quick and professional service from friendly and motivated staff. Always a pleasure to visit Thorpe Dental at Bishopthorpe Dental Centre.
Fantastic experience: Very thorough examination by Catherine Lightowler. I had been with the same dentist for thirty years before moving to York. I am now in my mid fifties and, although I have no fillings, my last dentist had never given me an xray or probed my gums or discussed with me how, with increasing age, I could be more susceptible to gum disease. I had also never had a proper clean by the hygienist. My dentist used to just scrape a bit of tartar off my lower front teeth and send me on my way. It always built up again quickly because I mostly brushed only once a day and ate lots of chocolate and didn't know that bacteria could creep under the gum. It would seem that the body's immune response to these bacteria is not very favourable to the bone holding your teeth in place ☺ If I had known this I would have been far more particular years ago! Since my examination at Thorpe Dental Group in Bishopthorpe it would seem that my gums are in a pretty bad way (scary 50 per cent bone loss) even though they look reasonably OK, so I am being very good, brushing night and morning and no longer spending all my waking hours with chocolate melting in my mouth. My teeth may still fall out one day but at least I will be prepared for it and may be able to delay the process. The above dentist also had to remove some decay from one of my 15-year-old son's teeth, involving an injection which he had never had before (another dentist had attempted to carry out this procedure and my son had run away). She was very calming and competent and my son is now far more particular about his oral care, brushing more and avoiding sticky drinks. He reckons she is "really sound".
Fantastic experience: Fantastic! Really lovely staff and my broken back tooth sorted! I would most definitely recommend.
Positive experience: Always friendly, and good at giving expert advise about teeth
Fantastic experience: Excellent dental surgery, always give outstanding service.
Fantastic experience: Great service with friendly staff
Fantastic experience: My dentist, Andy, is always incredibly patient with me, and offers excellent and professional advice in an unhurried and easy to understand manner. Everyone at the practice is approachable & polite.
Positive experience: Had some good news today! My gums are healthier than they have been for a long time. Evidently the cleaning programme and advice carried out by Thorpe Dental Practice has worked well. I'm a happy bunny!!! Thanks, Andrew, Hazel and team.
Negative experience: Wisdom tooth extraction refused as it's 'only' the first infection. While these might be national guidelines, I dare saying that a degree it's not necessary to be able to say this over the phone and avoid me paying for a private visit? Untrustworthy and greedy, no common sense at all.
Fantastic experience: Friendly staff and first-class treatment.
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