NHS dental treatment in England is split into three flat-rate charge bands, plus a separate band for urgent care. The price is the same whatever the dentist charges in private fees — Band 2 is Band 2.
The 2026 NHS dental charges in England
| Band 1 — £26.80 | Examination, diagnosis, X-rays, scale and polish (if clinically needed), advice on prevention. |
| Band 2 — £73.50 | Everything in Band 1 plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions. |
| Band 3 — £319.10 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, dentures, bridges, more complex work. |
| Urgent care — £26.80 | One urgent appointment to deal with pain or trauma (e.g. emergency filling, repair of broken crown, treatment of acute infection). |
Prices set by the Department of Health and Social Care. Last increased April 2024; currently expected to stay flat through 2026.
How the band system works
You pay the highest band charge that applies to your treatment plan. If you go in for a check-up (Band 1) and the dentist finds a cavity that needs filling (Band 2), you pay Band 2 — once — and the filling is included. You don't pay Band 1 + Band 2 separately.
If you need follow-up treatment within two months of finishing the original course of treatment, and it's in the same band, you don't pay again. Good dentists explain this without being asked.
What's NOT covered on the NHS
- Cosmetic treatments — veneers, whitening, cosmetic orthodontics
- White fillings on back teeth (some practices include them, but they're not contractually required to)
- Implants (except in clinically specific cases — see our dental implants guide)
- Sedation for routine work
- Multiple dental appointments solely for cosmetic reasons
Other UK nations
Wales: separate price list but similar bands. Currently around £14.70 (Band 1), £47.00 (Band 2), £203.00 (Band 3).
Scotland: NHS dental check-ups are free for everyone. Other treatments are charged at 80% of a set tariff up to a £384 cap.
Northern Ireland: charges set per individual treatment item, with an 80% patient contribution up to a similar cap.
Who pays nothing
You qualify for free NHS dental treatment if you are:
- Under 18 (or under 19 in full-time education)
- Pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months
- On Income Support, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Universal Credit (with low income), Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Holding a valid HC2 (full help) certificate via the NHS Low Income Scheme
Full detail: Who qualifies for free NHS dental treatment.
What if I can't find an NHS dentist?
The crisis we built this site for. You can search by postcode to find surgeries currently accepting new NHS patients, verified by recent patient reports. If nothing locally accepts, call NHS 111 — they have a duty to find you an appointment if you have a clinical need.