Updated April 2026

NHS Dental Charges 2026/27

One charge per course of treatment. The highest band you need is what you pay.

Band 1
£27.90

Examination, diagnosis and prevention

Learn more
Band 2
£76.60

Fillings, root canals, extractions and more

Learn more
Band 3
£332.10

Crowns, dentures, bridges and orthodontics

Learn more

Not sure which band you need? Use our treatment checker below

What Will I Pay? Treatment Band Checker

Select the treatments your dentist has recommended. We will show you which band applies and what you will pay.

Select one or more treatments above to see which band applies and what you will pay.

What Each Band Includes

NHS dental treatment in England is divided into three charge bands. You pay a single charge based on the most complex treatment you need in your course of treatment.

Band 1£27.90

Examination, diagnosis and prevention

  • Clinical examination (teeth, gums, oral cancer screening)
  • X-rays (periapical and panoramic as needed)
  • Scale and polish (only if clinically necessary)
  • Fluoride varnish application
  • Fissure sealants (typically children)
  • Preventive advice and oral hygiene guidance
  • Treatment planning (written plan for further work)
  • Referrals to specialists
  • Small denture or brace repairs
Important: A scale and polish is only provided if your dentist considers it clinically necessary. It is not guaranteed at every check-up.
Full Band 1 guide
Band 2£76.60

Fillings, root canals, extractions and more

  • Everything in Band 1
  • Fillings (amalgam and composite)
  • Root canal treatment (all teeth including molars)
  • Tooth extractions (simple and surgical)
  • Denture adjustments and additions
  • Bite-raising appliances
  • Extensive gum disease management (periodontal treatment)
Full Band 2 guide
Band 3£332.10

Crowns, dentures, bridges and orthodontics

  • Everything in Bands 1 and 2
  • Crowns (various types available on NHS)
  • Bridges (Maryland and conventional)
  • Dentures (full and partial)
  • Orthodontic appliances (where clinically necessary)
Full Band 3 guide

Who Gets Free NHS Dental Treatment?

You may not have to pay at all. The following groups are entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England.

Under 18

All NHS dental treatment is free for children and young people under the age of 18.

Under 19 and in full-time education

Young people aged 18 who are still in qualifying full-time education are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

Pregnant

Pregnant women are entitled to free NHS dental treatment throughout pregnancy and until one year after the baby is born.

Had a baby in the last 12 months

Mothers are entitled to free NHS dental treatment for 12 months after their baby's date of birth.

Income Support recipients

People receiving Income Support are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

People receiving income-based JSA qualify for free NHS dental treatment.

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

People receiving income-related ESA are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)

People receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit qualify for free NHS dental treatment.

Universal Credit (income below threshold)

Universal Credit recipients qualify only if their take-home pay in their last assessment period was £435 or less, or £935 or less if the award includes a child element, limited capability for work element, or limited capability for work-related activity element.

Penalty for false exemption claims

If you claim free treatment but are not entitled, you may face a penalty charge of up to \u00a3100 plus the original treatment cost. The NHS Business Services Authority conducts random checks.

Full eligibility guide

NHS vs Private - Quick Comparison

NHS treatment is almost always cheaper, but around 91% of dental practices are not accepting new adult NHS patients.

TreatmentNHS CostPrivate Cost
Check-up£27.90£50 - £80
Scale and polish£27.90£45 - £75
X-ray£27.90£15 - £50
Single filling£76.60£80 - £250
Root canal (front tooth)£76.60£300 - £500
Root canal (molar)£76.60£500 - £700
Tooth extraction£76.60£100 - £350
Crown£332.10£500 - £1,000
Full comparison with 14+ treatments

The 2-Month Rule - Your Consumer Protection

If you need further NHS dental treatment within 2 calendar months of completing a course of treatment, and the new treatment is at the same or a lower band, you pay nothing extra. Your original charge covers it.

If the new treatment requires a higher band, you only pay the difference between what you originally paid and the higher band charge.

Example

You pay \u00a376.60 for a Band 2 filling. Three weeks later, a tooth breaks and you need a crown (Band 3). You pay only the difference: \u00a3332.10 - \u00a376.60 = \u00a3255.50.

How Charges Have Changed

NHS dental charges are reviewed every April. Here are the last seven years of band prices.

YearBand 1Band 2Band 3
2020/21£23.80£65.20£282.80
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£27.40£75.30£326.70
2026/27£27.90£76.60£332.10
Full history from 2010 to 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about NHS dental charges in England, answered clearly.

How much is an NHS dental check-up in 2026?
An NHS dental check-up costs £27.90 from April 2026. This is a Band 1 charge and covers your examination, any X-rays needed, a scale and polish (if clinically necessary), fluoride varnish, preventive advice, and a treatment plan if further work is required. You pay this single charge regardless of how many Band 1 procedures are carried out.
What is the difference between Band 1, Band 2, and Band 3 NHS dental charges?
Band 1 (£27.90) covers diagnosis and prevention - check-ups, X-rays, and scale and polish. Band 2 (£76.60) covers everything in Band 1 plus treatment such as fillings, root canals, and extractions. Band 3 (£332.10) covers everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus complex work like crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontics. You always pay the highest band needed for your course of treatment, and it is a single charge no matter how many procedures you need within that band.
Do children have to pay for NHS dental treatment?
No. All NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18, and for young people under 19 who are in qualifying full-time education. No proof of age is usually needed at the time of treatment, but the NHS Business Services Authority may check eligibility afterwards.
Can I get white fillings on the NHS?
For front teeth, white (composite) fillings are the standard NHS option. For back teeth, the dentist chooses the clinically appropriate material, which is often amalgam (silver-coloured). If you want a white filling on a back tooth purely for cosmetic reasons, your dentist may ask you to pay the private difference. Some NHS dentists now offer white fillings as standard on all teeth, but this varies by practice.
How much do NHS dentures cost?
NHS dentures cost £332.10 - the Band 3 charge from April 2026. This is the same price whether you need partial or full dentures, and the charge includes any other treatment needed in the same course (such as extractions or fillings). Privately, dentures typically cost between £500 and £2,500.
Can I be charged twice for one course of NHS dental treatment?
No. You pay one charge per course of treatment, based on the highest band needed. If you need a check-up, two fillings, and a crown in the same course, you pay one Band 3 charge (£332.10) - not separate charges for each procedure. The 2-month rule also protects you: if you need further treatment within 2 calendar months of completing a course at the same or lower band, you pay nothing extra.
What if I cannot afford NHS dental treatment?
If you are on a low income, you may qualify for free or reduced-cost treatment through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Apply using form HC1, available from Jobcentre Plus offices, NHS hospitals, or by calling 0300 330 1343. If approved, you will receive an HC2 certificate (full help) or HC3 certificate (partial help). Many people on benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, or Pension Credit also qualify for free treatment automatically.
How do I find an NHS dentist near me?
Use the NHS Find a Dentist tool at nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist. You can also call NHS England on 0300 311 2233 for help finding a practice accepting new NHS patients. Be aware that many areas have limited NHS dental availability - the British Dental Association reports that around 91% of practices are not accepting new adult NHS patients.
Do I have to pay for emergency dental treatment?
Yes, emergency dental treatment costs £27.90 (the Band 1 charge) unless you qualify for free NHS treatment. If you need follow-up treatment after the emergency visit, the emergency charge is absorbed into the higher band charge - you will not pay twice. Call NHS 111 if you cannot reach your dentist.
Is dental insurance worth it in the UK?
It depends on your circumstances. Dental insurance plans cost between £10 and £50 per month (£120 to £600 per year). If you have access to an NHS dentist and good oral health, insurance is unlikely to save you money. If you cannot find an NHS dentist, expect to need significant treatment, or want to see a private dentist regularly, a dental plan could be worthwhile. Dental membership plans offered directly by practices (£10 to £25 per month) are often better value than traditional insurance.

Explore Our Guides

Band 1

Check-ups, X-rays, scale and polish

Band 2

Fillings, root canals, extractions

Band 3

Crowns, dentures, bridges, braces

Free Treatment

Check if you qualify for free care

NHS vs Private

Side-by-side cost comparison

Emergency Dental

What to do, where to go, what it costs

UK Nations

How charges differ across the UK

Charge History

Band prices from 2010 to today

More dental cost guides

NHSDentistCost.comDentalCrownCost.comDentalCleaningCost.comWisdomTeethRemovalCost.comHowMuchForDentalImplants.com
Charges shown apply to NHS dental treatment in England from 1 April 2026. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland use different systems.