NHS Dental Charges 2026: Band 1 £27.90, Band 2 £76.60, Band 3 £332.10

NHS dental charges in England and Wales changed in April 2026, rising by approximately 4% across all bands. Understanding the band system is key to knowing exactly what your NHS dental visit will cost — and whether you might qualify for free treatment.

NHS dental band charges April 2026 — full table

Band	2026 charge	2025 charge	Change	What it covers
Band 1	£27.90	£26.80	+£1.10 (+4.1%)	Examination, X-rays, scale and polish, fluoride varnish, preventive treatment
Band 2	£76.60	£74.60	+£2.00 (+2.7%)	All Band 1 treatment plus fillings, tooth extractions, root canal treatment (unlimited within one course)
Band 3	£332.10	£323.70	+£8.40 (+2.6%)	All Band 1 and 2 treatment plus crowns, bridges, dentures and veneers (if clinically necessary)
Band Urgent (U)	£27.90	£26.80	+£1.10	Emergency pain-relief only — one urgent treatment, not a full course of care
Referral to hospital	Free	Free	—	NHS hospital dental treatment is free regardless of the treatment needed

How the NHS band system works

The NHS band system charges you once per course of treatment, not per individual procedure. A "course of treatment" starts when your dentist begins treating you and ends when all planned treatment is complete. This means:

• If you need three fillings at one appointment, you pay Band 2 once (£76.60) — not three separate filling charges.
• If you need a filling discovered at your check-up, you pay Band 2 (£76.60) — not Band 1 for the check-up plus extra for the filling. Band 2 absorbs Band 1.
• If you need a crown in addition to several fillings, you pay Band 3 (£332.10) — which covers all the fillings and the crown in one charge.

Band upgrading explained

Each band includes all treatments in the band below it:

• Band 1 (£27.90) = examination + X-rays + scale and polish + preventive advice
• Band 2 (£76.60) = everything in Band 1 + any filling, extraction or root canal
• Band 3 (£332.10) = everything in Band 1 and 2 + crowns, bridges, dentures

If treatment starts as Band 1 and your dentist discovers you also need a filling, the charge upgrades to Band 2. You do not pay both Band 1 and Band 2.

What is included in each NHS band?

Band 1 — £27.90

Band 1 covers all of the following when provided during the same course of treatment:

• Dental examination: Full check of all teeth, gums, soft tissues and jaw. Oral cancer screening is included at every NHS exam.
• Dental X-rays: Bitewing and periapical X-rays if clinically indicated. No extra charge on the NHS.
• Scale and polish: Removal of plaque and tartar if your dentist considers it clinically necessary (not provided as a cosmetic service).
• Fluoride varnish: Applied as a preventive measure if appropriate.
• Preventive advice: Oral hygiene guidance, dietary advice.
• Treatment plan: A written plan and cost estimate if further treatment is needed.

Band 2 — £76.60

Band 2 includes everything in Band 1 plus:

• Dental fillings: White (composite) or silver (amalgam) fillings, at the dentist's clinical discretion. Composite fillings are now routinely available on the NHS for all teeth.
• Tooth extractions: Simple extractions of any tooth.
• Root canal treatment: For single-rooted teeth such as front teeth. Multi-rooted back teeth root canals are covered but may be referred to a specialist.
• Any number of the above within a single course of treatment — no cap on quantity.

Band 3 — £332.10

Band 3 includes everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus:

• Crowns: To restore a heavily damaged tooth. Metal, PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) or all-ceramic at the dentist's discretion.
• Bridges: Fixed replacements for missing teeth, supported by adjacent natural teeth.
• Dentures: Partial or full dentures to replace missing teeth.
• Veneers: Only when clinically necessary (extremely rare on the NHS — cosmetic veneers are not funded).

For detailed pricing of crowns, bridges and dentures compared to private rates, see our guides to dental crown costs and dental bridge costs.

NHS dental charges by UK nation

England — April 2026

Band 1: £27.90 | Band 2: £76.60 | Band 3: £332.10

These charges apply to all NHS dental treatment in England from 1 April 2026. They are set by the Department of Health and Social Care and reviewed annually, typically increasing by around 3–5% per year.

Wales — April 2026

Wales uses the same band charge system as England. From April 2026: Band 1 £27.90 | Band 2 £76.60 | Band 3 £332.10. Charges in Wales mirror England and are updated at the same time.

Scotland — Free for all residents

Scotland has provided free NHS dental treatment for all residents regardless of age or income since 2006. Check-ups, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures — all are free. This includes scale and polish, X-rays and preventive treatments. There is no equivalent of England's band charge system for NHS dental patients in Scotland.

Note: If you live in England and use an NHS dentist during a visit to Scotland (or vice versa), the charges follow your home nation's rules.

Northern Ireland — Item-of-service system

Northern Ireland does not use the England/Wales band system. Instead, patients pay a percentage (currently 80%) of an item-of-service fee, subject to a maximum charge per course of treatment. As a result, patients pay per item rather than per band:

Treatment	Approximate patient charge (2025/26)
Examination (routine)	~£7.20
X-rays (bitewing, per pair)	~£3.20
Scale and polish	~£10.40
Filling (anterior)	~£13.60
Filling (posterior)	~£16.00
Extraction (simple)	~£16.00
Root canal (single-rooted)	~£40.00
Crown	~£80.00
Denture (partial, acrylic)	~£64.00

These are approximate figures and may vary. Northern Ireland patient charges are generally lower than England/Wales for complex treatment due to the item-of-service structure and the maximum charge cap per course of treatment.

Who gets free NHS dental treatment?

The following groups receive free NHS dental treatment in England and Wales:

• Children and young people under 18
• Young people aged 18 in full-time education
• Pregnant women and those who have given birth in the past 12 months
• Holders of a valid HC2 certificate (NHS Low Income Scheme — full help)
• Holders of a valid HC3 certificate (partial help — reduced charge)
• People receiving: Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA
• NHS complex treatment plan started before age 18 — if treatment continues after 18th birthday
• Patients in hospital — NHS hospital dental treatment is free regardless of financial circumstances

For the full eligibility guide including the HC1 application process, see our free NHS dental care eligibility guide.

NHS Band 2 (£76.60) — is it worth it?

For most patients, Band 2 represents exceptional value. Consider what £76.60 covers at a private practice:

Treatment	Private cost (typical)	NHS Band 2 covers
Single white filling	£90–£250	Yes (unlimited fillings)
Root canal (front tooth)	£400–£800	Yes
Simple extraction	£80–£180	Yes
All of the above + check-up	£600–£1,300+	Yes, all for £76.60

The only limitation is finding an NHS dentist willing to take you as a new patient. For more on access issues, see our NHS dental waiting list guide.

NHS Band 3 (£332.10) — crowns and dentures

Band 3 at £332.10 covers crowns, bridges and dentures. This is where the saving over private care is most dramatic:

Treatment	Private cost (typical)	NHS Band 3	Saving
Single crown	£700–£1,500	£332.10 (including all other treatment)	£370–£1,170+
Partial denture	£800–£2,500	£332.10	£470–£2,170+
Full denture (upper + lower)	£1,500–£4,500	£332.10	£1,170–£4,170+
Dental bridge (3-unit)	£1,800–£4,500	£332.10	£1,470–£4,170+

How much have NHS charges risen over the years?

Year	Band 1	Band 2	Band 3
2020/21	£23.80	£65.20	£282.80
2021/22	£23.80	£65.20	£282.80
2022/23	£23.80	£65.20	£282.80
2023/24	£25.80	£70.70	£306.80
2024/25	£26.80	£74.60	£323.70
2025/26 (current)	£27.90	£76.60	£332.10

Charges were frozen for three consecutive years (2020–2023) during and following the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming annual increases.

Urgent and emergency NHS dental charges

If you have a dental emergency — severe pain, swelling, a broken tooth — NHS urgent treatment is available. The charge for urgent emergency treatment (Band U) is £27.90, the same as Band 1. Urgent treatment covers:

• Temporary or permanent filling to relieve pain
• Emergency extraction
• Antibiotics or pain medication prescription
• Re-cementing a loose crown temporarily

For urgent NHS dental access, call NHS 111 or use your local NHS urgent dental care service. If you are registered with an NHS dentist, call them first. For full emergency cost information, see our emergency dentist cost guide.

Can I have private treatment at an NHS visit?

Yes. NHS dental practices can offer a "mixed" appointment where some treatment is NHS and some is private. For example:

• Your check-up and fillings are NHS (Band 2 at £76.60)
• You separately pay privately for teeth whitening (£300–£700 extra)
• Or you pay privately for a tooth-coloured (ceramic) crown instead of the NHS PFM crown at a specific tooth location

Your dentist must clearly explain and get your written consent before charging you privately for anything. They cannot charge you privately for a treatment that is available on the NHS without giving you a fair explanation of the difference.

NHS vs private: is the NHS worth it?

For clinically necessary dental work, the NHS offers unbeatable value. Band 2 at £76.60 covers unlimited fillings and extractions in one course of treatment — a single white filling can cost £90–£250 privately. The only real barrier is access: finding an NHS dentist taking new patients in England can take months. For a full comparison, see our guide to NHS vs private dental care.

NHS dental costs explained in full

The NHS dental band system can seem confusing at first, but it is actually straightforward once you understand the key rule: you pay one fixed charge per course of treatment, regardless of how many items of treatment you receive. This guide explains exactly what each band covers, who qualifies for free treatment, and how NHS costs compare across the UK.

How the NHS band system works

The NHS band system was introduced in 2006 to replace the old item-of-service system in England and Wales. Instead of charging per filling or per X-ray, it groups treatment into three bands and charges one flat fee per course of treatment.

The key rule: one band per course

A "course of treatment" runs from your first appointment until all planned treatment is finished (or two months pass). Within one course:

• Multiple fillings = one Band 2 charge. Ten fillings needed? You still pay £76.60.
• Check-up + filling = Band 2 only. Band 1 is absorbed by Band 2; you do not pay both.
• Crown + fillings = Band 3 only. Band 3 absorbs Bands 1 and 2.
• New course = new charge. If you return after the course closes (typically 2 months), a new course starts and a new band charge may apply.

What each NHS band covers

Band 1 — £27.90

Treatment	Included?
Dental examination (full check)	✓ Yes
Oral cancer screening	✓ Yes (at every exam)
Dental X-rays (bitewing, periapical)	✓ Yes, if clinically needed
Scale and polish	✓ Yes, if clinically necessary
Fluoride varnish	✓ Yes, if clinically indicated
Preventive advice	✓ Yes
Treatment plan and cost estimate	✓ Yes
Fillings	✗ No — Band 2
Extractions	✗ No — Band 2
Crowns or bridges	✗ No — Band 3

Band 2 — £76.60

Band 2 includes everything in Band 1, plus:

Treatment	Notes
Composite (white) fillings	Available for all teeth since 2022; at dentist's discretion
Amalgam (silver) fillings	Still used where clinically appropriate
Tooth extractions	Simple and some surgical extractions
Root canal treatment (anterior teeth)	Front teeth; complex multi-rooted RCTs may be referred
Re-cementing a crown	Recementing fallen-out crowns counts as Band 2
Denture repairs	Simple repairs included under Band 2

Band 3 — £332.10

Band 3 includes everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus:

Treatment	Notes
Dental crowns	Metal, PFM or all-ceramic at dentist's discretion
Dental bridges	Fixed replacement for missing teeth
Partial dentures	Acrylic or metal cobalt-chrome frame
Full dentures	Upper, lower or both
Veneers	Only if clinically necessary (cosmetic veneers excluded)
Complex root canals	Multi-rooted teeth; may be referred to hospital

Who gets free NHS dental treatment?

You pay nothing for NHS dental treatment if any of the following apply at the time your treatment starts:

Category	Age restriction?	Proof needed?
Under 18 years old	—	No
Under 19 and in full-time qualifying education	—	Yes — education proof
Pregnant	—	Yes — MATB1 form
Had a baby in the last 12 months	—	Yes — birth certificate
Receiving Universal Credit with NHS Low Income Scheme (HC2 certificate)	—	Yes — HC2 certificate
Receiving Pension Credit (guarantee credit element)	60+	Yes — benefit letter
Receiving Income Support	—	Yes — benefit letter
Receiving income-based JSA or income-related ESA	—	Yes — benefit letter
Named on a valid HC2 certificate (NHS Low Income Scheme)	—	Yes — HC2 form
War pensioner (if treatment for war disablement)	—	Yes — pension letter
NHS hospital dental department patient	—	No

Important note about over-60s: Unlike prescriptions, there is no automatic free NHS dental care for people aged 60 or over in England. You must be on a qualifying benefit to receive free dental care as an older adult. This surprises many people who assume the over-60s entitlement for prescriptions extends to dentistry — it does not.

For more detail, see our guide to free NHS dental care eligibility.

NHS dental costs across the UK

Nation	Exam / check-up	Filling	Crown / bridge	Dentures
England	£27.90 (Band 1)	£76.60 (Band 2)	£332.10 (Band 3)	£332.10 (Band 3)
Wales	£27.90 (Band 1)	£76.60 (Band 2)	£332.10 (Band 3)	£332.10 (Band 3)
Scotland	Free	Free	Free	Free
Northern Ireland	~£7.20 (exam only)	~£14.50 per filling	~£123 per crown	~£123 per denture

Scotland: All NHS dental treatment is free for all Scottish residents. Northern Ireland: item-of-service rates, subject to annual uprating. Figures are approximate.

NHS vs private dental costs: a direct comparison

Treatment	NHS cost (England)	Typical private cost	Saving with NHS
Dental check-up + X-rays	£27.90	£50–£90	£22–£62
1 white filling (back tooth)	£76.60	£90–£200	£13–£123
3 fillings	£76.60 (still Band 2)	£270–£600	£193–£523
Root canal (front tooth)	£76.60	£350–£700	£273–£623
Root canal (molar)	£76.60	£700–£1,200	£623–£1,123
Dental crown	£332.10	£700–£1,500	£368–£1,168
Full dentures (upper + lower)	£332.10 (one course)	£1,600–£4,000	£1,268–£3,668

Is NHS dental care getting harder to access?

Yes. NHS dentistry in England has faced a significant access crisis since 2020. Key facts:

• An estimated 12 million adults in England were unable to register with an NHS dentist as of 2025.
• In rural areas, some patients report waiting 18–24 months for a new-patient NHS appointment.
• About 40% of dental practices in England are now wholly private or mixed NHS/private, with NHS capacity limited.
• The NHS dental contract is under reform, with new targets for patient contact and prevention introduced in 2024.

For advice on finding an NHS dentist, see our guide to how to find an NHS dentist in the UK. For information about NHS waiting times, see our NHS dental waiting list guide.

What NHS dental care does not cover

NHS dentistry covers clinically necessary treatment. It does not fund:

• Teeth whitening — cosmetic treatment, always private
• Composite or porcelain veneers — almost never funded by the NHS
• Cosmetic composite bonding — not clinically necessary
• Invisalign or adult orthodontics — not funded for adults (NHS orthodontics is for under-18s who meet clinical criteria)
• Dental implants — not routinely funded; NHS alternative is a denture or bridge
• Gold or all-ceramic crowns by patient preference — NHS crowns are the material chosen by the dentist on clinical grounds

For the full picture on NHS vs private dental care, see our guide to NHS vs private dental care.

Private dental charges 2026: NHS vs private side by side

For patients who cannot access NHS care — or who choose to go private — here is how private dental charges in 2026 compare with NHS band charges:

Treatment	NHS charge (England 2026)	Private charge 2026	Saving on NHS
Check-up + X-rays	£27.90 (Band 1)	£50–£120	£22–£92
Scale and polish	£27.90 (Band 1)	£60–£130 (hygienist)	£32–£102
White filling (1 surface)	£76.60 (Band 2)	£90–£200	Up to £123
Root canal (molar)	£76.60 (Band 2)	£600–£1,200	Up to £1,123
Tooth extraction	£76.60 (Band 2)	£150–£400	Up to £323
Dental crown (porcelain)	£332.10 (Band 3)	£700–£1,500	Up to £1,168
Dentures (full arch)	£332.10 (Band 3)	£700–£2,500	Up to £2,168
Dental bridge (3-unit)	£332.10 (Band 3)	£1,800–£4,500	Up to £4,168

Private dental charges in 2026 vary significantly by region. Central London practices charge 30–50% more than the UK average, while Northern England, Wales and Scotland (for private care) tend to be 10–20% lower. Always ask for a written itemised quote before committing to any private treatment.

For a complete NHS dental treatment price list and private dental charges comparison, see our how much does a dentist cost guide and private dental care costs UK 2026.