NHS dental treatment in England is charged on a band system. From April 2026, most patients pay £26.80, £73.50, or £319.10 depending on the complexity of treatment needed — and you pay the band charge once per treatment course, not per procedure. But millions of people are eligible for free or reduced treatment and do not realise it.
NHS Dental Charges 2026-27 (England)
From 1 April 2026, the three-band charge structure is:
| Band | Charge | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £26.80 | Examination, diagnosis, x-rays, advice. Scale and polish if clinically needed. Preventive work (fluoride varnish, fissure sealants). |
| 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 (full and partial), bridges |
You only ever pay one band charge per treatment course, regardless of how many procedures you need. If you need a filling and an extraction in the same course of treatment, that is still Band 2 — not two separate charges.
What Is a Course of Treatment?
A course of treatment covers all the dental work agreed between you and your dentist at a given appointment (or series of linked appointments). Once treatment begins, the band charge is fixed for that course. New problems discovered after treatment starts are usually added to the same course at no extra charge, rather than creating a new band payment.
Year-on-Year Comparison
| Year | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | £23.80 | £65.20 | £282.80 |
| 2024/25 | £24.50 | £66.10 | £288.60 |
| 2025/26 | £26.80 | £73.50 | £319.10 |
| 2026/27 | £26.80 | £73.50 | £319.10 |
Charges have increased significantly in recent years. The April 2025 rise brought Band 3 up by over £30 in a single year. For 2026/27, charges are unchanged from the April 2025 rates.
Who Gets Free NHS Dental Treatment?
Large numbers of people qualify for free treatment — the key categories are:
Always Free (No Application Needed)
- Children under 18 — all NHS dental treatment is free
- Young people under 19 in full-time qualifying education
- Pregnant women — treatment is free during pregnancy
- New mothers — free for 12 months after the birth
When attending, simply inform the dentist. You sign a declaration — giving false information is fraud.
Free Based on Benefits
You qualify for free NHS dental treatment if you receive:
- Universal Credit (including Limited Capability for Work component — but also if you simply receive UC with earnings below the relevant threshold in England)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- NHS Low Income Scheme certificate (HC2) — see below
You also get free treatment if you are under 20 and a dependant of someone on the above benefits.
NHS Low Income Scheme (HC1/HC2)
The HC1 form is a free application for the NHS Low Income Scheme. If approved, you receive an HC2 certificate entitling you to:
- Full help — completely free NHS dental treatment
- Partial help — reduced charges based on a calculated contribution
The scheme assesses your income against your outgoings. There is no fixed income cut-off — someone with a modest income but high housing costs may qualify. You can apply at any NHS dental practice, most pharmacies, or online.
HC3 certificate: Issued when you are eligible for partial help — the certificate states the maximum you pay towards treatment. Your dentist charges you that amount and the NHS pays the rest.
NHS Dental Charges in Other UK Nations
England’s band system does not apply across the whole UK:
| Country | System |
|---|---|
| England | Three-band system (£26.80 / £73.50 / £319.10) |
| Scotland | NHS dental treatment is free for all residents |
| Wales | Free NHS dental check-ups for all; treatment charges apply for complex work (different band rates) |
| Northern Ireland | Separate charge structure — check the Health and Social Care NI website |
If you live in Scotland, you do not pay for NHS dental treatment at all.
What NHS Dental Treatment Covers vs Private
NHS dentists provide treatment that is clinically necessary. This means:
- NHS will fund a crown if a tooth needs it clinically
- NHS white fillings: available for front teeth; back teeth may only be available as amalgam on NHS (some dentists now offer white for all teeth on NHS)
- Cosmetic treatment (tooth whitening, purely aesthetic veneers, Invisalign) is not available on NHS
If you want treatment beyond the clinically necessary standard, you can ask for private treatment on top of NHS — but this must be agreed in writing and the costs are entirely separate.
How to Claim a Refund
If you paid for NHS dental treatment and later realise you were exempt:
- Complete form FP17PRC (Patient Charge Refund form) available from your dental practice
- Submit within 3 months of paying the charge
- You should receive a refund by cheque from NHS Business Services Authority
If you are not sure whether you were exempt at the time of treatment, it is still worth applying — NHSBSA will assess your circumstances.
Finding an NHS Dentist
Getting registered with an NHS dentist can be difficult, particularly in some parts of England. Ways to find one:
- NHS website dentist finder — search by postcode for practices accepting NHS patients
- NHS 111 — can help if you need urgent treatment without a dentist
- Community dental services — local authority-run services for those with difficulties accessing standard NHS dental practices (including vulnerable adults and those with disabilities)
If you have not been able to register with an NHS dentist and have an urgent need, call NHS 111 (free) to be directed to an urgent dental centre.
Dental Costs for Common Procedures
| Procedure | NHS (England) | Private (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up and x-rays | £26.80 (Band 1) | £60–£120 |
| Scale and polish | Included in Band 1 | £60–£100 |
| Filling (1–2 surfaces) | £73.50 (Band 2) | £80–£250 |
| Root canal treatment | £73.50 (Band 2) | £300–£1,200 |
| Extraction | £73.50 (Band 2) | £80–£200 |
| Crown | £319.10 (Band 3) | £500–£1,500 |
| Full dentures | £319.10 (Band 3) | £600–£2,500 |
| Tooth whitening | Not available on NHS | £200–£700 |
| Dental implant | Not available on NHS | £2,000–£3,500 |
Private costs vary widely by location and practice type.
Dental Payment Plans
Many private practices offer monthly payment plans (e.g. Denplan, BUPA Dental) covering routine treatment for a fixed monthly fee, typically £12–£30/month. These can be cost-effective for people who need regular work but cannot access NHS treatment.
Some NHS practices also offer payment by instalment for Band 3 treatment — always ask before accepting.