NHS Dental Charges 2026: Bands 1, 2 & 3 in Plain Pounds
NHS dental charges for 2026 explained simply: Band 1 £27.40, Band 2 £75.30, Band 3 £326.70, urgent care, and exactly who pays nothing.
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How much do NHS dental charges cost in 2026?
In England, NHS dental treatment is charged in three flat bands for 2026. Band 1 costs £27.40 and covers a check-up, X-rays, a scale and polish, and advice. Band 2 costs £75.30 and covers fillings, root canal treatment and extractions. Band 3 costs £326.70 and covers crowns, dentures and bridges. An urgent appointment also costs £27.40. You pay only one charge per course of treatment, and only the highest band applies even if you need several things done. Treatment is free for under-18s, under-19s in full-time education, pregnant women and new mothers (for 12 months after birth), and people on qualifying low-income benefits such as Universal Credit within set thresholds, Income Support and Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own charges, so these figures apply to England.
The three NHS dental bands for 2026 (England)
NHS dental charges in England are deliberately simple: there are only three bands plus an urgent charge, and you pay one fixed price per course of treatment. The 2026 figures are:
- Band 1 - £27.40: examination, diagnosis, X-rays, a scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventive advice.
- Band 2 - £75.30: everything in Band 1 plus fillings, root canal treatment and extractions (taking teeth out).
- Band 3 - £326.70: everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, dentures and bridges (laboratory-made items).
- Urgent - £27.40: emergency care such as pain relief or a temporary filling.
You can see the full breakdown on our NHS dental charges page.
You only pay one charge per course of treatment
This is the part that saves people money and is often misunderstood. A "course of treatment" is everything your dentist plans to put you right, even across several visits. You pay the highest band only once. If you need a check-up, three fillings and a crown, you do not pay for each separately - you pay a single Band 3 charge of £326.70, because the crown is the highest band involved.
Who gets free NHS dental treatment
NHS dental care is free if, at the time of treatment, you are:
- Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education.
- Pregnant, or have had a baby in the previous 12 months.
- Receiving Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- On Universal Credit and meeting the earnings thresholds for help.
- Named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption or HC2 certificate.
Always keep proof, as the NHS does check and incorrect claims carry penalties. If you are unsure, ask the practice before treatment starts.
What is NOT covered by NHS charges
NHS dentistry covers clinically necessary care to keep your mouth healthy. Purely cosmetic work is generally not available on the NHS, including:
- Teeth whitening.
- Cosmetic veneers where there is no clinical need.
- White fillings on back teeth in some cases (the NHS may provide metal).
For these you would pay private fees - whitening typically £250 to £600, veneers £500 to £1,200 each.
How the other UK nations differ
These bands apply to England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own systems with different charges and exemptions, so check your nation's NHS website if you live outside England.
Is the NHS price always the cheapest?
For most routine and even mid-level work, NHS bands are excellent value - a £75.30 Band 2 charge undercuts almost any private filling or root canal. The picture changes with large Band 3 jobs. A full set of dentures or multiple crowns at £326.70 on the NHS is far cheaper than private, but if you need extensive implant work the NHS rarely funds it, and private UK implants run £2,000 to £2,800 each. That is why some patients compare NHS versus private costs and even treatment abroad for major restorative cases. For everyday care, though, the NHS band system remains the best-value option in the UK.