England 2025/26 Rates
NHS Dental Charges 2025/26
Three bands. Clear prices. Know what you will pay before your appointment.
Band 1
£26.80
Check-ups, X-rays, diagnosis
Band 2
£73.50
Fillings, extractions, root canals
Band 3
£319.10
Crowns, dentures, bridges
Prices updated March 2026. One charge per course of treatment.
What Each Band Includes
Each band covers a different level of treatment. You only pay one charge per course of treatment, based on the highest band needed.
Band 1
Examination & Diagnosis
£26.80
- Dental examination and diagnosis
- X-rays (as many as clinically needed)
- Scale and polish (if clinically necessary)
- Preventive care (fluoride varnish, fissure sealants for children)
- Advice on how to look after your teeth
- Small repairs to dentures or removable braces
- Referral to a specialist if needed
- Planning for any further treatment
Band 2
Treatment
£73.50
- Everything in Band 1
- Fillings (amalgam or white, at dentist's discretion)
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth extractions
- Denture adjustments and additions
Band 3
Complex Treatment
£319.10
- Everything in Bands 1 and 2
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Dentures (full and partial)
- Orthodontic appliances
Who Gets Free NHS Dental Treatment
You qualify for free NHS dental treatment if any of the following apply to you.
- Under 18, or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education
- Pregnant, or had a baby in the last 12 months (maternity exemption certificate)
- Being treated in an NHS hospital by a hospital dentist
- Receiving Income Support
- Receiving income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Receiving Universal Credit and meeting the income threshold
- Named on a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- Named on a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs)
- A War Pensioner (for treatment related to your accepted disability)
Important: If you are not sure whether you qualify, ask your dental practice before treatment begins. Claiming free treatment when you are not entitled can result in a penalty charge of up to 5 times the original cost.
NHS Low Income Scheme: If you are on a low income but do not receive the benefits listed above, you may still qualify for help. Apply using form HC1, available from Jobcentre Plus, NHS hospitals, or by calling 0300 330 1343.
NHS vs Private: Cost Comparison
How NHS dental charges compare to typical private dentist fees for common treatments.
| Treatment | NHS Cost | Private Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up and X-rays | £26.80 | £50 - £80 |
| Single filling | £73.50 | £80 - £250 |
| Root canal treatment | £73.50 | £300 - £700 |
| Extraction (simple) | £73.50 | £100 - £350 |
| Crown (porcelain) | £319.10 | £500 - £1,000 |
| Full dentures | £319.10 | £500 - £2,500 |
| Bridge (per unit) | £319.10 | £700 - £1,500 |
| Dental implant | Not usually available | £1,500 - £3,000 |
| Teeth whitening | Not available | £200 - £700 |
| Orthodontics (braces) | £319.10* | £1,500 - £6,000 |
* NHS orthodontics only available where clinically necessary, typically for under-18s. Private costs are approximate UK averages.
Key difference: NHS treatment is almost always cheaper, but private dentistry offers more choice of materials (e.g. white fillings for back teeth, premium crown types), longer appointment times, and typically shorter waiting lists.
What the NHS does not cover
- ✕Purely cosmetic treatments (veneers, teeth whitening)
- ✕Dental implants (except in rare, clinically exceptional cases)
- ✕Invisible braces (Invisalign) or cosmetic orthodontics
How to Find an NHS Dentist Taking Patients
Finding an NHS dentist with availability can be challenging. Here is a step-by-step guide.
Use the NHS Find a Dentist tool
Visit nhs.uk/find-a-dentist and enter your postcode. The tool shows dental practices near you and indicates whether they are accepting new NHS patients.
Call practices directly
The online tool may not always be up to date. Call practices and ask: "Are you currently accepting new NHS patients?" Some maintain waiting lists you can join.
Contact NHS England
If you cannot find an NHS dentist, call NHS England's Customer Contact Centre on 0300 311 2233. They can help locate practices with availability in your area.
Call NHS 111
NHS 111 can help you find emergency or urgent dental care if you are in pain and cannot find a regular NHS dentist. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Consider dental access centres
Some areas have NHS dental access centres that see patients without registration. These are especially useful if you need urgent treatment while waiting to register with a regular practice.
Good to know: There is no "NHS dentist register." Dentists can choose to do NHS work, private work, or both. Many practices have long waiting lists for NHS patients. Being registered with a practice means they will send you recall invitations, but you are free to see any NHS dentist for any course of treatment.
Emergency Dental Treatment
What counts as a dental emergency, what it costs, and where to go.
What counts as an emergency
- •Severe toothache not controlled by over-the-counter painkillers
- •A dental abscess (swelling, pus, fever)
- •Uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction
- •Trauma or injury to teeth (knocked out, broken)
- •A broken or lost filling causing pain
Cost and what to expect
- •Emergency treatment costs £26.80 (Band 1 charge)
- •Covers urgent care: temporary fillings, draining abscesses, stopping bleeding
- •If follow-up treatment is needed, you pay the appropriate band, but the emergency fee is included
- •Free if you qualify for free NHS dental treatment
Where to go for emergency dental care
Your Dentist
Call your usual practice first. Most have an emergency or out-of-hours answerphone message.
NHS 111
Call 111 if you cannot reach your dentist. They will direct you to an urgent dental service nearby.
A&E
Only for serious facial injury, uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling affecting breathing or swallowing.
Tips to Reduce Your Dental Costs
Practical ways to keep your dental bills as low as possible.
Get regular check-ups
Catching problems early at Band 1 (£26.80) prevents them from becoming Band 2 or Band 3 treatments. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.
Apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme
If you are on a low income but not on qualifying benefits, apply using form HC1. You may receive full or partial help with dental costs.
Keep treatments in one course
If you need multiple treatments, ensure your dentist plans them as one course of treatment. You pay one band charge for the entire course, not per treatment.
Try dental teaching hospitals
Dental schools offer treatment by supervised students at reduced rates or free. Appointments take longer but the quality is closely monitored.
Check dental charity clinics
Dentaid and similar charities run clinics for people who cannot access NHS dental care. Check dentaid.org for locations.
Consider dental plans for regular care
If you cannot find an NHS dentist, private dental plans (from around £10 to £20 per month) cover check-ups and basic treatment and can save money versus paying per visit.
NHS Dental Charge History
How NHS dental charges have changed over the past five years.
| Year | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | £23.80 | £65.20 | £282.80 |
| 2022/23 | £23.80 | £65.20 | £282.80 |
| 2023/24 | £25.80 | £70.70 | £306.80 |
| 2024/25 | £26.80 | £73.50 | £319.10 |
| 2025/26 | £26.80 | £73.50 | £319.10 |
NHS dental charges typically rise annually, usually by around 3-8%. Charges were frozen in 2022/23 and again in 2025/26.
If Something Goes Wrong
How to raise a complaint about NHS dental treatment or charges.
Speak to your dental practice
Raise the issue informally with the practice manager. Most problems can be resolved directly at this stage.
Make a formal written complaint
If speaking to the practice does not resolve the issue, write a formal complaint. The practice must acknowledge it within 3 working days and respond fully within an agreed timeframe.
Contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
If you are unhappy with the practice's response, escalate to the Ombudsman (ombudsman.org.uk). They investigate complaints about NHS services.
Report concerns about a dentist
If you believe a dentist is unfit to practise, contact the General Dental Council (GDC) at gdc-uk.org. They regulate all dental professionals.
Challenge incorrect charges
If you believe you have been overcharged, contact the NHS Business Services Authority on 0300 330 1343. They handle dental charge disputes and refunds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NHS dental charges answered.