Please note, Every April, charges are revised by the NHS Business Services Authority. During this time, new charges may be enforced by the NHS but may not be published on our website in time.
For more information about NHS Dental Service Charges, visit the NHS Choices website by clicking the link below.
Dentistry is one of the few NHS services where you have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care. The information on this page explains what you may have to pay for your NHS dental treatment.
This covers emergency care in a primary care NHS dental practice such as pain relief or a temporary filling.
This covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventative care such as the application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant if appropriate.
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth but not more complex items covered by Band 3.
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures, bridges and other laboratory work.
You do not have to pay a dental charge:
- if you are having stiches removed,
- if your dentist has to stop bleeding from your mouth,
- if your dentures need repair.
However, if it isn't possible to repair your dentures and you need new ones then you'll have to pay for this with a Band 3 charge
The NHS will not provide cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening, which you may want to make your teeth more attractive, but which are not clinically necessary. Even where treatment is clinically necessary the dentist will offer you a treatment option that is clinically appropriate. If you choose to have alternative treatment options then you will have to pay privately for these.