NHS Dental Treatment Price List 2026: Every Band and Charge
NHS Dental Treatment Price List 2026: Every Band and Charge
Quick answer
The NHS dental treatment price list for 2026 has three bands in England: Band 1 (£27.90) covers examination, X-rays and scale and polish; Band 2 (£76.60) covers fillings, extractions and root canals; Band 3 (£332.10) covers crowns, bridges and dentures. You pay once per course of treatment regardless of how many procedures are done. Scotland provides free NHS dental treatment to all registered patients. Wales: Band 1 £14.70, Band 2 £47.00, Band 3 £203.00.
Key takeaways
- England 2026: Band 1 £27.90 · Band 2 £76.60 · Band 3 £332.10 — one charge per course of treatment.
- Scotland: all NHS dental treatment is free for registered patients.
- Wales 2026: Band 1 £14.70 · Band 2 £47.00 · Band 3 £203.00 — lower than England.
- Northern Ireland uses a different banded system with lower charges than England.
- Exempt groups pay nothing: under-18s, pregnant women, new mothers, certain benefit recipients.
- A scale and polish is only free on the NHS when clinically needed — not as a routine cosmetic clean.
- Urgent appointments (including for pain relief and temporary repairs) are Band 1 — £27.90.
NHS dental charges in England 2026
NHS dental treatment in England uses a three-band system. Each band covers a group of treatments, and you pay one flat charge for the entire course of treatment — regardless of how many individual procedures fall within that band.
| Band | Charge (England, April 2026) | Treatments covered |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Dental examination, X-rays, scale and polish (if clinically needed), fluoride treatment, fissure sealants, urgent (same-day) appointments |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Everything in Band 1, plus: fillings (amalgam or composite), tooth extractions, root canal treatment, periodontal (gum) treatment |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus: crowns, bridges, dentures (full and partial), inlays, onlays, veneers (where clinically necessary) |
Charges from 1 April 2026 (England). One charge per course of treatment — upgrading from Band 2 to Band 3 within the same course does not add a second charge.
NHS dental treatment price list: treatment by treatment
Every NHS dental treatment maps to a single band. The table below lists the most common procedures and their band in England.
| Treatment | NHS band | England charge |
|---|---|---|
| Dental examination | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| Dental X-rays | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| Scale and polish (clinically needed) | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| Fluoride application | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| Fissure sealants | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| Urgent appointment (pain relief) | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| White filling | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Amalgam filling | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Simple extraction | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Wisdom tooth extraction | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Root canal treatment | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Periodontal (gum) treatment | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Crown | Band 3 | £332.10 |
| Bridge | Band 3 | £332.10 |
| Full denture | Band 3 | £332.10 |
| Partial denture | Band 3 | £332.10 |
| Inlay or onlay | Band 3 | £332.10 |
| Veneer (clinically necessary) | Band 3 | £332.10 |
Multiple treatments in the same course are charged at the highest applicable band only. A filling plus a crown = Band 3 only (£332.10), not Band 2 + Band 3.
NHS dental charges in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
NHS dental funding is a devolved matter. The charges outside England are different — and in Scotland's case, free.
| Region | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | £27.90 | £76.60 | £332.10 | Three-band system; charges from April 2026 |
| Scotland | Free | Free | Free | All NHS dental treatment free for registered patients since 2006 |
| Wales | £14.70 | £47.00 | £203.00 | Three-band system; lower charges than England |
| Northern Ireland | £13.50 | £43.80 | £190.80 | Banded system; NHS dental under HSCNI. Charges approximate for 2026. |
Scotland's universal free NHS dental care applies to all patients registered with an NHS dentist — not just exempt groups. Non-residents may not qualify. Welsh and Northern Irish charges are indicative.
Who is exempt from NHS dental charges?
The following groups pay nothing for NHS dental treatment in England, regardless of the band:
- Children under 18
- Under-19s in full-time qualifying education
- Pregnant women and those who gave birth in the last 12 months (maternity exemption certificate FW8 needed)
- People receiving Universal Credit (UC) with a low-income element, provided their earnings are within the NHS low-income threshold
- People receiving Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- People named on a valid HC2 certificate (low-income scheme via HC1 form)
- NHS inpatients treated at an NHS hospital
- War Pensioners receiving treatment for their war disability
Note: NHS Pension Credit alone does not automatically exempt you from charges. You must also receive the Guarantee Credit element, or apply for an HC1 form based on income. See our free dental treatment for over-60s guide for the full breakdown.
What the bands do not cover
The NHS banded charges only apply to clinical work that meets the NHS's definition of dental need. Several common treatments are not available on the NHS at all:
- Teeth whitening — cosmetic, not clinically necessary
- Composite bonding for cosmetic improvement
- Porcelain veneers for aesthetic reasons
- Dental implants — not routinely funded (see below)
- Clear aligners (Invisalign) — rarely funded except for severe cases
- Tooth-coloured crowns — the NHS may provide a metal crown instead; a tooth-coloured crown on back teeth may require a top-up payment
If a dentist offers a tooth-coloured crown on the NHS with a patient contribution on top, you must receive a written treatment plan (FP17DC form) explaining what the NHS will provide and what you are paying privately.
How much is private dental care instead?
If you cannot access an NHS dentist, private prices are considerably higher. The most common comparisons:
| Treatment | NHS (England) | Private range |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up + X-rays | £27.90 | £50–£120 |
| Scale and polish | £27.90 (Band 1) | £60–£130 |
| White filling | £76.60 (Band 2) | £90–£300 |
| Root canal (front tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £300–£600 |
| Root canal (molar) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £600–£1,200 |
| Tooth extraction | £76.60 (Band 2) | £150–£400 |
| Crown | £332.10 (Band 3) | £400–£1,500 |
| Bridge (three units) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £1,800–£4,500 |
| Full denture (per arch) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £600–£2,500 |
Private prices are typical UK ranges. Central London practices typically run 20–40% above these figures. NHS prices from April 2026, England.
See our NHS vs private dental guide for a full comparison of access, quality and value.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHS dental treatment price list for 2026?
In England from April 2026: Band 1 is £27.90 (examination, X-rays, scale and polish if needed), Band 2 is £76.60 (fillings, extractions, root canals), and Band 3 is £332.10 (crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers). You pay one band charge per course of treatment, no matter how many individual procedures are included. Scotland is free for all registered NHS patients. Wales charges £14.70, £47.00 and £203.00 for Bands 1, 2 and 3.
How much is an NHS filling in 2026?
An NHS filling falls under Band 2, which costs £76.60 in England in 2026. If you need more than one filling in the same course of treatment, you still pay only £76.60 — the charge covers the whole course. In Scotland, fillings are free. In Wales the Band 2 charge is £47.00.
How much is an NHS crown in 2026?
An NHS crown is covered by Band 3, which costs £332.10 in England in 2026. This single charge covers the crown however many lab stages or fitting appointments are required. If you also need a filling or extraction in the same course, you still only pay Band 3 — not Band 2 on top. In Wales the Band 3 charge is £203.00.
Who gets free NHS dental treatment?
Free NHS dental treatment is available to: under-18s, under-19s in full-time education, pregnant women and those who have given birth in the last 12 months, people receiving Universal Credit (with a low income element), Income Support, Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance. People on a low income can apply for an HC1 form and receive an HC2 certificate that covers all NHS charges. See our full free dental treatment guide for details.
Is a scale and polish free on the NHS?
A scale and polish is included in Band 1 (£27.90 in England) when the dentist judges it is clinically necessary — not on request. If your gums are healthy and no scale and polish is needed, Band 1 covers just the examination. You cannot request a routine cosmetic clean on the NHS if there is no clinical need.
How much is an urgent NHS dental appointment?
An urgent NHS appointment is charged at Band 1 — £27.90 in England in 2026. This covers pain relief, a temporary filling, or an emergency extraction. If you require more complex treatment at the same visit (such as a permanent filling), the charge moves to the appropriate band for what was done.