NHS dental charges 2026
NHS dentistry in England is charged in three simple bands, plus a flat urgent rate. Here's exactly what each band costs in pounds, what it covers, and who pays nothing at all.
How much does NHS dental treatment cost in 2026?
NHS dental charges in England use three bands. Band 1 (£27.40) covers a check-up, diagnosis, advice, X-rays, and a scale and polish if needed. Band 2 (£75.30) adds further treatment such as fillings, root canal work and extractions. Band 3 (£326.70) adds laboratory work — crowns, dentures and bridges. Urgent treatment is charged at the Band 1 rate of £27.40. You pay only one charge per course of treatment, even if it takes several appointments, and you're always charged the rate of the highest band you need. Care is free for under-18s, under-19s in full-time education, pregnant women and new mothers, and people on qualifying low-income benefits. Charges differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which set their own NHS dental fees.
| Band | Cost (England) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.40 | Examination, diagnosis and advice; X-rays; scale and polish if clinically needed; preventive care. |
| Band 2 | £75.30 | Everything in Band 1 plus fillings, root canal treatment, and extractions (removing teeth). |
| Band 3 | £326.70 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, dentures, bridges and other laboratory-made appliances. |
| Urgent | £27.40 | Urgent care such as pain relief or a temporary filling — charged at the Band 1 rate. |
You pay one charge per course of treatment
This is the part people most often get wrong. If you need a check-up and two fillings, you don't pay Band 1 plus Band 2 — you pay a single Band 2 charge of £75.30 for the whole course, even though it covers everything in Band 1 too. You're always charged the band of the highest-level treatment you need, once. If you're then referred for a crown later, that's a new course at Band 3.
Who is exempt from NHS dental charges
You don't pay anything for NHS dental treatment if, at the time of treatment, you are:
- Under 18, or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education;
- Pregnant, or have had a baby in the previous 12 months (you'll need a valid maternity exemption certificate);
- Receiving certain low-income benefits, such as Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit (within the qualifying thresholds);
- Named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate or HC2 certificate (full help with health costs).
Always bring proof of exemption. If you claim an exemption you're not entitled to, you can be charged a penalty, so check the current rules on the NHS website if you're unsure.
What about urgent treatment?
If you need urgent care — to relieve pain or deal with an immediate problem — it's charged at the flat Band 1 rate of £27.40, even if the work done would normally fall into a higher band. Any further, planned treatment afterwards is charged separately.
Charges in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The three-band system and the figures above apply to England. Wales uses a similar banded system but with different amounts; Scotland and Northern Ireland use their own fee structures. If you live outside England, check your nation's NHS dental charges directly, as the numbers will differ.
NHS charges vs private fees
Even at Band 3, NHS charges are capped and predictable, which is why an NHS place is so valuable. Private fees aren't banded — you pay per item, and a single private crown can cost more than the entire Band 3 charge. See how the two compare in our NHS vs private dentist cost guide, and our private dentist cost breakdown.