NHS Dental Charges 2025/26
Everything you need to know about NHS dental costs in England — what you'll pay, what's included in each band, and who qualifies for free treatment.
NHS dental charges in England (from 1 April 2025):
| Band | Price |
|---|---|
| Band 1 (check-up) | £27.40 |
| Band 2 (fillings, extractions) | £75.30 |
| Band 3 (crowns, dentures) | £326.70 |
| Urgent treatment | £27.40 |
You pay once per course of treatment — not per visit. Many patients qualify for free treatment.
How much does an NHS dentist cost?
NHS dental charges are fixed government-set prices that cover all dental treatment in three bands: Band 1 (£27.40), Band 2 (£75.30), and Band 3 (£326.70). You pay one charge per course of treatment, regardless of how many visits it takes. These prices apply across England from April 2025.
If your treatment spans multiple bands, you pay only the highest band. The same prices apply whether you're in London, Manchester, or Cornwall.
NHS Dental Charges — Band by Band
Band 1 — £27.40
What it covers:
- Dental examination and diagnosis
- X-rays (if clinically needed)
- Scale and polish (if clinically necessary for your oral health)
- Preventive advice — how to care for your teeth
- Referral to a specialist if needed
A Band 1 check-up is the starting point for any NHS dental care. Your dentist will examine your teeth, take X-rays if needed, and create a treatment plan. A scale and polish is included only if your dentist decides it's clinically necessary — if it's purely cosmetic, your dentist may offer it as a private treatment.
Band 2 — £75.30
Everything in Band 1, plus:
- Fillings (amalgam or white, depending on clinical need)
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth extractions
- Gum disease treatment (when extensive scaling is needed)
- Other treatments like dental splinting
Band 2 covers the most common treatments. Whether you need one filling or five, you pay £75.30 once for the entire course of treatment. White (composite) fillings are available on the NHS, but your dentist may recommend amalgam if it's clinically more appropriate.
Band 3 — £326.70
Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus:
- Crowns
- Dentures (full or partial)
- Bridges
- Other laboratory-made items (mouthguards, veneers where clinically needed)
Band 3 is the highest NHS dental charge. £326.70 is the maximum you will ever pay for a single course of NHS dental treatment in England. There is no Band 4.
Urgent treatment — £27.40
Urgent treatment covers whatever is needed to get you out of pain or prevent your condition from getting worse — emergency pain relief, temporary fillings, extraction to relieve pain, treatment of infection. It's usually a temporary fix, and you'll likely need a follow-up appointment charged as a separate course.
Need emergency care right now? See our Emergency Dentist Guide for step-by-step advice.
Important rules about NHS dental charges
You pay once per course of treatment
A "course of treatment" is everything on your treatment plan — whether it takes one visit or six. You pay the band charge once, and it covers all the treatment listed in your plan.
You only pay the highest band
If your dentist plans a check-up (Band 1), two fillings (Band 2), and a crown (Band 3), you pay £326.70 total — not the sum of all three bands.
Follow-up treatment may be free
If you need more treatment in the same or lower band within two months of completing a course, you shouldn't have to pay again. If a crown, bridge, or denture needs repair within 12 months, return to the same dentist — this is covered by the NHS guarantee.
NHS and private treatment are separate
Many practices offer both. If you choose private treatment during an NHS course, you'll pay separately for the private element. Your dentist must explain which treatments are NHS and which are private before starting.
Who gets free NHS dental treatment?
You qualify for free NHS dental treatment if, at the time your treatment starts, any of the following apply:
Automatic eligibility
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | All dental treatment is free |
| Under 19 in full-time education | Qualifying full-time education (not university) |
| Pregnant | Free throughout pregnancy |
| Had a baby in the last 12 months | Includes stillbirth. Bring maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) |
| NHS hospital inpatient | Treatment by the hospital dentist |
| War Pension / Armed Forces Compensation | Treatment for your accepted disability |
Benefits-based eligibility
You or your partner receive one of:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not contribution-based)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (not contribution-based)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (Savings Credit alone doesn't qualify)
- Universal Credit — but only if your take-home pay was £435 or less/month (or £935 or less with child element or LCWRA)
Certificate-based eligibility
- HC2 Certificate (NHS Low Income Scheme — full help)
- HC3 Certificate (NHS Low Income Scheme — partial help)
Am I eligible for free NHS dental treatment?
Answer a few questions to check if you qualify for free or reduced-cost NHS dental treatment.
Question 1 of 6
Are you under 18?
NHS Low Income Scheme — help if you don't qualify automatically
If you don't qualify for free treatment but have a low income, you can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme:
- Check your eligibility at nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check
- Fill in the HC1 form (available online, at dental practices, or by calling 0300 330 1343)
- Post the form to NHS Business Services Authority
- Wait 4–6 weeks for a decision
HC2 Certificate = full help (all NHS dental treatment is free). HC3 Certificate = partial help (tells you the maximum you'll pay). Your savings must be under £16,000 to qualify.
What if you've already paid but were eligible?
You can claim a refund using the HC5(D) form. Download it from nhsbsa.nhs.uk, attach proof of eligibility, and post it to NHSBSA. You must claim within 3 months of paying. Refunds typically take 6–8 weeks.
NHS vs Private — how do prices compare?
| Treatment | NHS charge | Typical private |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up and X-rays | £27.40 (Band 1) | £50–£100 |
| Single filling | £75.30 (Band 2) | £80–£200 |
| Root canal | £75.30 (Band 2) | £300–£700 |
| Extraction | £75.30 (Band 2) | £100–£350 |
| Crown | £326.70 (Band 3) | £400–£900 |
| Full dentures | £326.70 (Band 3) | £500–£1,500 |
| Scale and polish | £27.40 (if clinical) | £50–£120 |
Private prices are approximate averages for England in 2025. Prices vary by region, practice, and materials.
Key differences beyond price: NHS focuses on clinically necessary treatment with regulated quality standards. Private offers more cosmetic options, premium materials, and often shorter waiting times. You can mix NHS and private care — for example, NHS check-ups and private whitening.
Struggling to find an NHS dentist? Search for practices accepting new patients near you.
What's NOT available on the NHS?
- Teeth whitening — cosmetic only
- Adult orthodontics — only if there's a clinical need, not cosmetic
- Dental implants — rarely available, reserved for severe cases
- Cosmetic veneers — when a cheaper functional alternative exists
- Cosmetic bonding — purely aesthetic improvements
- Hygienist-only appointments — if not clinically necessary
What's changing from April 2026?
More urgent appointments
From April 2026, every NHS dental practice must provide a minimum number of urgent/unscheduled appointments. If you're in pain, it should be easier to get seen quickly — including at practices where you're not already registered.
New pathways for complex treatment
Patients with serious dental problems will be able to receive a comprehensive package of treatment rather than multiple separate appointments. This could save some patients up to £225 in fees.
Prices staying the same (for now)
The April 2026 changes affect how dentists are paid — not what patients pay. Band prices for 2025/26 remain at £27.40, £75.30, and £326.70.
Read our full guide to the NHS Dental Reforms April 2026 for a detailed breakdown of every change and what it means for patients.
Warning — don't claim free treatment if you're not eligible
NHSBSA conducts random and targeted checks. If you wrongly claim free treatment, you'll receive a Penalty Charge Notice of up to £100 plus the original treatment cost. If unpaid within 28 days, an additional 50% surcharge is added.
If you're unsure: Pay for your treatment and keep the receipt. If you later confirm you're eligible, claim a refund using the HC5(D) form within 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an NHS check-up cost?
An NHS dental check-up costs £27.40 in England (Band 1). This includes examination, X-rays if needed, and a scale and polish if clinically necessary. The price is the same at every NHS practice.
Do you have to pay for NHS dental treatment?
Most adults pay NHS dental charges, but many groups qualify for free treatment — including under-18s, pregnant women, and people on certain benefits. If you have a low income, you can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme for free or reduced-cost treatment.
How much does a filling cost on the NHS?
A filling on the NHS costs £75.30 (Band 2) in England. This covers the filling plus your examination and any other Band 1 or Band 2 treatment needed in the same course of treatment. Whether you need one filling or several, you pay £75.30 once.
Is NHS dental treatment free for pensioners?
Not automatically. You only qualify for free treatment if you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Savings Credit alone doesn't count, and the State Pension doesn't qualify you. If you don't qualify but have a low income, you can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme.
What's the maximum I'll pay for NHS dental treatment?
The maximum NHS dental charge in England is £326.70 (Band 3). This covers all treatment including crowns, dentures, and bridges, plus everything in Bands 1 and 2. There is no higher band.
Can I get a refund if I paid but was eligible for free treatment?
Yes. Use form HC5(D) from NHSBSA to claim a refund. You must claim within 3 months of paying. Post the form with proof of eligibility to NHSBSA. Refunds typically take 6–8 weeks.
Is a scale and polish included in a check-up?
A scale and polish is included in the Band 1 charge (£27.40) only if your dentist decides it's clinically necessary for your oral health. If it's not clinically needed but you'd like one anyway, your dentist may offer it as a private treatment.
What's the difference between NHS and private dental charges?
NHS dental treatment uses a fixed three-band system (£27.40 / £75.30 / £326.70), while private dentists set their own prices. Private treatment is typically 2–5x more expensive but offers wider material choices, cosmetic options, and often shorter waiting times. Both NHS and private dentists are fully qualified professionals.
Are dental charges the same across the UK?
No. The charges above apply to England only. Wales uses a separate band system (£20 / £60 / £260). Scotland and Northern Ireland charge 80% of treatment cost, capped at £384. In Scotland, dental check-ups are free, and everyone under 26 gets free treatment.
What happens if I claim free treatment but I'm not eligible?
NHSBSA conducts random and targeted checks. If you wrongly claim free treatment, you'll receive a Penalty Charge Notice of up to £100 plus the original treatment cost. If unpaid within 28 days, a 50% surcharge is added. Always check your eligibility before declaring.