NHS Dental Charges 2026 | Bands, Costs and Who Pays
Dentologi editorial team · 26 October 2026
You have finally got an NHS dental appointment, or you have been told you need a filling or a crown, and the first question on your mind is what it will cost. NHS dental charges in 2026 are lower than most private fees, but the banding system can be confusing. Is a filling one charge or one per tooth? Will a second visit cost extra? Does a crown cost the same in Cardiff as in Carlisle? Not knowing the answer makes it harder to plan, and some people put off treatment because they fear a bill they cannot predict.
This guide sets out the current NHS dental charges in England, what each band covers, how the "course of treatment" rules work, who gets treatment free, and how charges differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We also compare NHS bands with typical private fees, so you can see where the gap is widest. At Dentologi we list NHS and private practices across the UK, and we hear these questions from patients every week, so we have kept this practical.
NHS Dental Charges 2026: What You Pay and Why
Reading time: ~11 min
- NHS dental charges 2026 explained
- How a course of treatment is charged
- Who gets free NHS dental treatment
- Charges in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- NHS vs private dental costs
- What to know before you start
- How to keep your dental costs down
- Mini FAQ
NHS dental charges 2026 explained
In England, NHS dental treatment is grouped into three price bands, plus a separate charge for urgent care. You pay one fixed charge for your whole course of treatment, based on the highest band of treatment you need, however many appointments it takes.
NHS dental charges 2026 in England
The charges rose slightly on 1 April 2026. According to the NHS Business Services Authority, the current figures are:
| Band | Charge from 1 April 2026 | Charge before April 2026 | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | £27.40 | Check-up, X-rays, scale and polish if clinically needed |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | £75.30 | Fillings, root canal treatment, extractions |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | £326.70 | Crowns, bridges, dentures, NHS braces |
| Urgent treatment | £27.90 | £27.40 | Pain relief, draining an abscess, temporary filling |
The same source lists a replacement charge of £99.60 for one lost or damaged appliance (such as a denture), or £199.20 for two, where the replacement falls under the relevant regulation.
What each band covers
The NHS website describes the bands as building on each other. Each higher band includes everything in the bands below it.
- Band 1: examination, diagnosis and advice; X-rays if clinically needed; fluoride treatment; simple gum disease management, including a scale and polish if clinically needed; dental moulds; and minor adjustments to dentures or braces.
- Band 2: everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions and other oral surgery, fissure sealants, more extensive gum treatment and some denture work. Wisdom tooth removal is included when it is clinically necessary.
- Band 3: everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, inlays and onlays, bridges, plastic or metal dentures, orthodontic treatment such as braces, and other custom-made appliances (sports guards are excluded).
- Urgent treatment: examination, X-rays, a temporary filling, emergency partial root canal treatment, removing up to two teeth, draining an abscess and one urgent filling. Any routine fillings needed afterwards fall under Band 2.
If you are in pain right now, our emergency dentist guide explains how to get urgent care through your practice or NHS 111.
What NHS dental charges 2026 do not cover
The NHS provides treatment that is clinically necessary to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Purely cosmetic treatment is not available on the NHS. That means teeth whitening, composite bonding for appearance, porcelain veneers and adult clear aligners for cosmetic reasons are private only. Dental implants are rarely available on the NHS outside specific hospital cases, as we explain in our dental implants cost guide.
The April 2026 contract changes
England's NHS dental contract was amended in April 2026. The changes mostly affect how practices are paid, not the band prices you see. Practices now have to offer a set amount of urgent care for problems such as infections, abscesses and broken teeth, as NHS England confirmed for 2026/27. There are also new care pathways for patients with several decayed teeth or unstable gum disease, according to Dentistry.co.uk. The British Dental Association has said more fundamental reform is still needed, so further changes are possible.
How a course of treatment is charged
The single most useful thing to understand about NHS dental charges is the idea of a "course of treatment". This is all the NHS treatment your dentist plans to get your mouth healthy, from the first check-up to the final appointment.
One charge per course, not per tooth
- If you need treatments from different bands, you pay only the highest band. A check-up, two fillings and a crown is one Band 3 charge of £332.10.
- If you need several treatments in the same band, you pay that band once. Three fillings and an extraction is one Band 2 charge of £76.60.
- It does not matter how many visits the course takes.
The two-month rule
According to the NHS, if you need more treatment within two months of finishing a course, and it falls in the same band or a lower one, you pay nothing extra. If the new treatment is in a higher band, you pay that band's charge. After two months, any new treatment starts a new course and is charged again.
Treatments that are always free
Some things carry no NHS charge at all:
- Removing stitches.
- Stopping bleeding in the mouth, for example after an extraction.
- Repairing dentures (if they cannot be repaired, new dentures are charged).
Who gets free NHS dental treatment
Many people in England pay nothing for NHS dentistry. The NHS Business Services Authority says you are entitled to free treatment if, when treatment starts, you are:
- under 18, or 18 and in full-time education
- pregnant, or have had a baby in the previous 12 months
- being treated in an NHS hospital by the hospital dentist (you may still pay for dentures or bridges)
- receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit and you meet the qualifying conditions (this also covers your partner and dependants under 20)
- entitled to, or named on, a valid HC2 certificate under the NHS Low Income Scheme
An HC3 certificate gives partial help rather than full exemption. It caps what you pay towards the charge, based on your income.
Avoid a penalty charge
When you tick an exemption box on the form at the practice, the NHS checks your claim later. If it cannot confirm you were entitled, you may receive a letter. If you cannot show you qualified, you could face a penalty of up to £100 on top of the original charge, according to the NHSBSA. To avoid this:
- Check your entitlement before your appointment, not at the desk.
- Keep your name, date of birth and address up to date with your GP, your practice and benefits organisations.
- Reply to any enquiry letter. If you were entitled, the case is closed.
Charges in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Dentistry is devolved, so each nation sets its own NHS dental charges. If you live near a border, the rules that apply are those of the nation where the practice is.
Wales
Wales has moved away from the three-band system to charges based on "care packages" under its new contract. The Welsh Government lists examples including:
- new patient assessment: £27.21
- recall appointment: £25.00
- urgent dental care package: £37.50
- simple restorative care (such as fillings or up to four extractions): £36.03
- back tooth root canal treatment: £182.72
- crown, bridge, inlay, onlay or veneer: £140.44
The total is capped at £384 for a course of treatment. Examinations are free for people under 25 and those aged 60 and over, and treatment is free for under-18s, pregnant women and new mothers, and people on qualifying benefits.
Scotland
In Scotland, NHS dental examinations are free for everyone. For treatment, most adults pay 80% of the NHS fee, up to a maximum of £384 per course, as the NHSBSA sets out. Treatment is free for under-26s, pregnant women and nursing mothers, according to mydentist, and for people who qualify for help with health costs.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland also uses a percentage-based system rather than fixed bands, with a cap per course of treatment. Because fees depend on the exact items of treatment, ask your practice for a written estimate before you start.
NHS vs private dental costs
Private dentists set their own prices, so fees vary widely by practice, region and case. Prices tend to be higher in London and the South East, as Which? notes. The table below compares NHS charges in England with private price ranges published by TreatCompare, which collected price lists from over 2,000 UK practices in March 2026.
| Treatment | NHS England (2026/27) | Typical private range | Private median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-up | £27.90 (Band 1) | £23 to £180 | £65 |
| Hygienist / scale and polish | £27.90 if clinically needed | £40 to £170 | £83 |
| White filling | £76.60 (Band 2) where clinically appropriate | £75 to £280 | £150 |
| Simple extraction | £76.60 (Band 2) | £90 to £292 | £160 |
| Root canal treatment | £76.60 (Band 2) | £179 to £900 | £450 |
| Crown | £332.10 (Band 3) | £350 to £995 | £720 |
| Dentures | £332.10 (Band 3) | £290 to £1,593 | £750 |
These private figures are indicative only. Your own quote will depend on the practice, the materials used and how complex your case is. For a deeper look at one treatment, see our root canal cost guide or our hygienist cost guide.
What you get for the extra money
Private dentistry is not automatically better clinical care. NHS dentists are held to the same standards by the General Dental Council. What private fees usually buy is choice and time:
- longer appointments and more flexible times, including evenings or weekends at some practices
- a wider choice of materials, such as tooth-coloured fillings on back teeth or all-ceramic crowns
- cosmetic treatments that the NHS does not offer
- in many areas, simply getting an appointment sooner
Mixing NHS and private treatment
You can have some treatment on the NHS and some privately in the same course, as long as your dentist explains clearly which is which and what each costs. For example, the NHS notes that a silver (amalgam) filling is often the clinically suitable option for back teeth on the NHS, while a white filling on a back tooth may be offered privately. Your dentist should never pressure you into the private option, and you are entitled to a written treatment plan showing NHS and private items separately.
What to know before you start
Before any NHS or private treatment begins, it helps to know what the dentist will look at and what you can expect.
What the dentist checks first
- A full check-up: your teeth, gums, soft tissues and bite, plus your medical history and any medicines you take.
- X-rays: taken only when clinically needed, to look for decay between teeth, infection at the root or bone loss.
- Gum health: gum disease often has to be treated before fillings, crowns or cosmetic work, because unhealthy gums can undermine the result.
Who NHS care suits, and its limits
NHS treatment suits anyone who needs care to keep their mouth healthy and free of pain. Its main limits are availability in some areas, fewer material choices, and no cosmetic options. If you cannot find a practice taking NHS patients, our guide on how to find an NHS dentist walks through what to do.
Side effects and contraindications
Every treatment carries some risk, whoever pays for it. Fillings and crowns can cause temporary sensitivity; extractions can lead to swelling or, less often, a dry socket; root canal treatment can occasionally need redoing. Some conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, some heart conditions, or medicines that affect bleeding or bone, may change what is safe or how treatment is planned. Always tell your dentist about your health and medicines. Only a dentist or orthodontist who has examined you can decide whether a treatment is right for you.
How often you need a check-up
You may not need a check-up every six months. NICE guidance says the interval between check-ups should be based on your risk, from 3 months up to 24 months for adults, and no longer than 12 months for under-18s. Fewer unnecessary visits can mean fewer Band 1 charges.
How to keep your dental costs down
These five steps can help you budget and avoid surprises, whether you go NHS or private.
- Check whether you qualify for free or reduced-cost care. Use the NHS eligibility checker or apply for an HC2 or HC3 certificate before your appointment, not after.
- Ask for a written treatment plan. It should show each item, whether it is NHS or private, the band, and the total cost. Read it before you agree.
- Group treatment into one course. Because you pay one charge per course, ask whether all the NHS work you need can be done within one course or within the two-month window.
- Compare private quotes like for like. If you go private, ask what each quote includes: X-rays, follow-up appointments, materials and guarantees. A low headline price can hide extras.
- Plan ahead for regular costs. If you pay privately, a dental plan or insurance can spread costs. Our guide to dental plans vs dental insurance compares the two.
If you are not sure what treatment you need, or whether it is likely to be NHS or private, you can use Fix My Smile. Tell us what is bothering you and we pass your enquiry to suitable practices, who can advise after an assessment.
Mini FAQ
Have NHS dental charges gone up in 2026?
Yes, slightly. In England, Band 1 rose from £27.40 to £27.90, Band 2 from £75.30 to £76.60 and Band 3 from £326.70 to £332.10 on 1 April 2026. Wales moved to a new system of care-package charges.
Do I pay for each filling separately on the NHS?
No. In England all fillings in one course of treatment are covered by a single Band 2 charge of £76.60, however many you need.
Can a dentist offer private treatment instead of NHS?
A dentist can offer private options, but they should explain what is available on the NHS, and the costs of each, so you can choose. If a practice has no NHS capacity, it should tell you clearly before you book.
Is a hygienist visit covered by NHS dental charges?
A scale and polish is included in Band 1 when your dentist decides it is clinically needed. If it is mainly cosmetic, or you want a dedicated hygienist appointment, you will usually pay privately.
Conclusion
NHS dental charges in 2026 remain the most affordable route to routine care in England, with one fixed charge per course of £27.90, £76.60 or £332.10, and free treatment for many groups. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland use different systems, and private fees vary widely, so the best protection against surprise bills is a written treatment plan and a clear answer on what is NHS and what is private. Only a dentist who has examined you can say what you need.
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