This is guidance based on published NHS rates and eligibility rules. For your specific treatment, speak to your dental practice. For help with costs, contact the NHS Business Services Authority on 0300 330 1343.
Updated May 2026 • England 2026/27 rates
NHS Dental Charges 2026/27
How much will your NHS dentist charge you? Current April 2026 rates, what each band covers, and who pays nothing.
BAND 1
£27.90
Check-up, X-rays, scale and polish (if clinically needed), advice
BAND 2
£76.60
Fillings, extractions, root canal, gum treatment (plus all Band 1)
BAND 3
£332.10
Crowns, bridges, dentures, orthodontics (maximum NHS charge)
Cannot find an NHS dentist accepting new patients?
In 2026, many NHS practices have closed lists. There are practical steps that actually work.
NHS dental charges differ by nation
England uses the three-band system above. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different structures in 2026.
England
3-band fixed charge system
Wales
50% package, £384 cap
Scotland
80% cap, under-26s free
Northern Ireland
HSC, 80% cap, £384 max
What each band includes
| Treatment | Band 1 £27.90 | Band 2 £76.60 | Band 3 £332.10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination and diagnosis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| X-rays (as many as clinically needed) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scale and polish (if clinically necessary) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preventive care (fluoride, fissure sealants) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Treatment planning and advice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fillings (amalgam or white) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Root canal treatment | No | Yes | Yes |
| Tooth extractions | No | Yes | Yes |
| Periodontal (gum) treatment | No | Yes | Yes |
| Denture adjustments | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crowns | No | No | Yes |
| Bridges | No | No | Yes |
| Full and partial dentures | No | No | Yes |
| Orthodontic appliances | No | No | Yes |
The one course of treatment rule
You pay one charge per course of treatment, at the highest band required. This is a significant money-saving rule most patients do not know about.
Example 1
Check-up finds two fillings. You pay one Band 2 charge (£76.60), not £27.90 plus £76.60 for each filling.
Example 2
Root canal plus two fillings in the same course. You pay one Band 2 charge (£76.60) total.
Example 3
Three crowns plus a filling. You pay one Band 3 charge (£332.10), the maximum possible NHS charge.
Who gets free NHS dental treatment?
Eleven categories of people pay nothing for NHS dental treatment in England. The most common are:
Children under 18
Under-19s in qualifying full-time education
Pregnant women (with Maternity Exemption Certificate)
Women who gave birth in the last 12 months
People on Income Support
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit recipients
Universal Credit recipients (earnings below threshold)
HC2 certificate holders (low income scheme)
NHS vs private cost comparison
NHS charges (April 2026) vs typical private fee ranges from UK dental chains.
| Treatment | NHS charge | Private range |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up and X-rays | £27.90 (Band 1) | £50-120 |
| Scale and polish only | Included in Band 1 if clinically needed | £40-80 |
| Single filling | £76.60 (Band 2) | £80-250 |
| Root canal (front tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £300-600 |
| Root canal (molar) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £500-800 |
| Single extraction | £76.60 (Band 2) | £100-250 |
| Multiple fillings (same course) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £160-600+ |
| Crown (porcelain fused to metal) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-1,200 |
| Bridge (3-unit) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £900-2,500 |
| Full dentures | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-2,500 |
| Braces (under-18, IOTN 3.6+) | Free (Band 3 if adult) | £1,500-6,000 |
| Dental implant | Rarely available on NHS | £1,500-3,500 |
| Cosmetic whitening | Not available on NHS | £300-700 |
Private ranges sourced from published price lists at Bupa Dental Care, MyDentist, and Portman Dental Care (April 2026). Actual charges vary by practice and location.
Full NHS vs private comparison guideWhat the NHS does not cover
- Dental implants (except rare clinical cases)
- Cosmetic teeth whitening
- Clear aligner systems (Invisalign and similar)
- White fillings on back teeth where amalgam is the clinical standard
- Veneers for cosmetic reasons
- Premium crown types not clinically indicated
Finding an NHS dentist
In 2026, closed NHS waiting lists are widespread. Our guide covers 9 practical tactics including NHS 111, ICB contact, dental schools, and the Dentaid charity clinics.
Read the full guideEmergency dental treatment
Urgent NHS dental care costs £27.90. Call your dentist first. Out of hours, call NHS 111 for an appointment within 24 hours. A&E for life-threatening situations only.
Emergency guidanceFrequently asked questions
How much does an NHS dental check-up cost in 2026?
An NHS dental check-up costs £27.90 (Band 1 charge) from 1 April 2026. This covers your examination, any X-rays the dentist considers necessary, a scale and polish if clinically required, and a treatment plan. If your dentist finds problems during the same visit, you pay the higher band charge instead.
What counts as one course of NHS dental treatment?
A course of treatment is everything your dentist plans to do following a single assessment. If your dentist examines you and decides you need two fillings, that is one course of treatment charged at Band 2 (£76.60), not separate charges. Even if the work spans multiple appointments, you pay once. A new assessment after a significant gap creates a new course.
Who gets free NHS dental treatment?
Free NHS dental treatment is available to: children under 18, people under 19 in full-time qualifying education, pregnant women, women who gave birth in the last 12 months, people on Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, income-based JSA or ESA, Universal Credit recipients below the earnings threshold, and HC2 certificate holders. Age alone does not exempt pensioners.
Has the NHS dental charge gone up in April 2026?
Yes. From 1 April 2026, Band 1 rose from £27.40 to £27.90 (up 1.8%), Band 2 from £75.30 to £76.60 (up 1.7%), and Band 3 from £326.70 to £332.10 (up 1.7%). These are the rates published by NHS Business Services Authority.
Can I be charged twice in one course of treatment?
No. You pay one charge per course of treatment at the highest band required. If your dentist starts Band 2 work and then finds a crown is needed (Band 3), you pay the difference to upgrade, not two separate charges. You should never receive two band charges for work covered by a single treatment plan.
What is included in Band 2 NHS dental treatment?
Band 2 (£76.60) covers everything in Band 1 plus all active treatment: fillings (amalgam or white at the dentist's clinical judgement), root canal treatment, tooth extractions, denture adjustments, and periodontal (gum) treatment. One charge covers multiple fillings or extractions within the same course.
Can I get white fillings on the NHS?
For front teeth, white (composite) fillings are standard NHS. For back teeth, your dentist may offer amalgam as the NHS option. If you want a white filling on a back tooth purely for cosmetic reasons, your dentist may charge privately for the material difference. The NHS amalgam phase-down means amalgam is no longer used for under-15s or pregnant women.
What is the most I can pay for any NHS dental treatment?
The maximum for any single course of NHS dental treatment is £332.10 (Band 3 charge, April 2026). Even if you need multiple crowns, a bridge, and fillings in the same course, you pay one Band 3 charge. There is no higher band.
Is NHS dentistry free in Scotland?
In Scotland, everyone gets a free NHS dental examination. Treatment costs up to a maximum of £384 per course (patients pay 80% of the package value). All under-26s in Scotland receive both examinations and treatment completely free. England still uses the three-band system with fixed charges.
What do I do if no NHS dentist near me is accepting new patients?
Call NHS 111 for urgent or emergency cases. For routine care, try phoning every practice in a 20-mile radius, join multiple waiting lists, contact your Integrated Care Board (ICB), or try a dental school. Our full guide at /finding-nhs-dentist covers 9 tactics that actually work in 2026.
How much does emergency NHS dental treatment cost?
Urgent NHS dental treatment costs £27.90, the same as a Band 1 charge (April 2026). If you need further treatment after the emergency, you pay the appropriate band for the full course, with the urgent charge included in that total. Call NHS 111 if your own practice cannot see you urgently.
Do pensioners get free NHS dental treatment?
Age alone does not entitle pensioners to free NHS dental treatment, which is a very common misconception. Free treatment is available only to pensioners who receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or who hold an HC2 certificate (low income scheme). Those on standard state pension without qualifying benefits pay the standard band charges.
What does Band 3 cover and is it worth it versus private?
Band 3 (£332.10) covers crowns, bridges, full and partial dentures, orthodontic appliances, and all preparatory treatment within the same course. The equivalent private costs are typically £500-1,500 for a crown, £500-2,500 for dentures, and £1,500-6,000 for orthodontics. NHS is almost always significantly cheaper.
How do I apply for help with dental costs on a low income?
If you are not on qualifying benefits but have low income and savings under £16,000, apply using form HC1. Available from Jobcentre Plus, dental practices, pharmacies, or the NHS Business Services Authority. You may receive an HC2 certificate (all costs covered) or HC3 (partial help). Assessment takes around 18 working days.
What is the difference between NHS and private dental treatment?
NHS dental treatment covers all clinically necessary work at fixed band charges. Private treatment offers more material choices, shorter waits, longer appointments, and cosmetic work not available on the NHS. NHS is cheaper for routine care. Private is the only route for implants, cosmetic whitening, and clear aligners.