The NHS offers heavily subsidised rather than free dental care in England. This means that you might have to pay in order to see a dentist, even if you choose to have your treatments on the NHS.
There are a number of exemptions for dental fees, such as if you are pregnant. These NHS dental exemptions are not the same as the exemptions for NHS prescriptions.
You should always bring evidence of your exemption with you to your dental appointment.
You can find out whether you are eligible for free dental care in England here.
Before your appointment, it’s always good to check whether you are being treated as an NHS patient. Some practices offer both NHS and private treatment, so check you will be charged the right amount before you begin treatment.
Even if you are registered as an NHS patient, check before your appointment whether you are being treated as an NHS patient or a private patient.
Not all treatments are covered on the NHS. Only treatments considered clinically necessary by the NHS are covered. This means you will have to pay privately for cosmetic procedures, such as tooth straightening or tooth whitening.
Dentists should always explain how much your treatment will cost before they begin treatment. If your dentist has not explained how much you will have to pay, you should ask.
NHS dental prices have 3 levels, depending on the complexity of the treatment. If you need multiple treatments that are priced in different tiers, you will pay only the fee of the highest band. You will not be expected to pay for more than one band during a single course of treatment. NHS charges increased by 4% on the 1st April 2024.
Band 1: £26.80
This includes the cost of an examination, both routine and emergency. It can also include the cost of X-rays, hygienist appointments (if necessary) and advice.
Band 2: £73.50
This includes the cost of all treatments in Band 1, and some additional treatments. These include: fillings, root canal treatments, mouth surgery and removing teeth.
Band 3: £319.10
This includes the cost of all treatments in Band 2, and some more complicated treatments. These include: crowns, dentures and bridges.
If you need more information about what is included in each band, you can find out online here.
You can also ask your dentist to explain the pricing to you during your appointment.
If you received NHS dental treatment in the last 2 calendar months, you will not need to pay again for more treatment from the same or lower pricing band. This means that if you had a treatment such as a filling less than two months ago, you will not be charged again for a second filling.
If you need a treatment that is from a higher band than your previous treatment, you will be charged the difference by the NHS.
After 2 months, you'll need to pay the NHS charges for any dental treatments that you receive.
It is also worth knowing that all NHS treatment comes with a 1 year guarantee. This means that if something goes wrong, like a filling falling out after 6 months, then you will not need to pay for it to be replaced.
Yes. You can request a written estimate of how much your NHS dental care will cost before you begin treatment. This will help you make an informed decision about your health and is a reasonable request.
The NHS pricing structure has been created to include certain types of treatments within each band. This means that as long as you receive treatments from the same band within two months, you will not have to pay again.
There is not a maximum limit on the number of dental treatments, therefore, but there is a time limit of two months. If you require more NHS dental care after two months, you will be charged again. You will be charged even if the treatment is in the same pricing band as your previous treatment.
There are no financial penalties for missing or cancelling an NHS dental appointment.
However, if you do not tell your NHS dentist, or you repeatedly cancel your NHS appointments at short notice, your dentist might terminate your treatment or ask you to register at another dental practice.
NHS dental appointments are limited and you are strongly advised to tell your dentist as soon as you realise that you are unable to attend your appointment. This means your dentist can offer your appointment time to another patient waiting for NHS treatment.
Private dental practices often charge penalty fees for patients that miss dental appointments or cancel at short notice. It is worth clarifying the terms and conditions of your private dental practice when you book an appointment or treatment.
Reviewed by Dr. Emily Black BDS(Bris) GDC 296586