How Much Does a Private Dentist Cost in the UK? First Visit & Ongoing Fees 2026
How Much Does a Private Dentist Cost in the UK? First Visit & Ongoing Fees 2026
Quick answer
A private dental check-up in the UK costs £50–£150 depending on location and practice. In London, expect £80–£150; outside London, £50–£100. X-rays add £15–£50 and a scale and polish £50–£120 extra. Many private practices bundle these into a new patient appointment costing £100–£200. This compares to the NHS Band 1 charge of £27.90 which includes a check-up, X-rays and scale and polish.
Key takeaways
- Private check-up: £50–£150 (new patient appointment often £100–£200 bundled).
- X-rays: £15–£50 on top of the check-up fee.
- Scale and polish: £50–£120 extra if not bundled.
- London prices are 30–50% higher than the UK average.
- NHS Band 1 (£27.90) includes check-up, X-rays and scale and polish — much cheaper if you can access it.
- Membership / capitation plans (£15–£35/month) usually include 2 check-ups and hygienist visits at a fixed monthly cost.
In 2026, around 14 million people in England have no access to an NHS dentist. That forces millions to choose between going without dental care or paying private fees. Here is exactly what private dentistry costs in the UK, what you get for your money, and how to keep costs as low as possible.
Private dentist cost breakdown UK 2026
| Treatment | UK national average | London | NHS equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine check-up (examination) | £50–£100 | £80–£150 | Band 1: £27.90 |
| New patient check-up (bundled) | £100–£180 | £120–£250 | Band 1: £27.90 |
| Dental X-rays (bitewings) | £15–£50 | £25–£60 | Included in Band 1 |
| Scale and polish (hygienist) | £60–£120 | £80–£150 | Included in Band 1 |
| White (composite) filling — small | £90–£150 | £120–£200 | Band 2: £76.60 |
| White (composite) filling — large | £150–£250 | £200–£350 | Band 2: £76.60 |
| Root canal treatment (front tooth) | £400–£700 | £500–£900 | Band 2: £76.60 |
| Root canal treatment (molar) | £600–£1,200 | £800–£1,500 | Band 2: £76.60 |
| Tooth extraction (simple) | £100–£200 | £130–£280 | Band 2: £76.60 |
| Dental crown (porcelain-fused) | £700–£1,200 | £900–£1,800 | Band 3: £332.10 |
| Dental implant (full) | £2,200–£3,500 | £2,800–£4,500 | Not routinely available |
Why private dental costs vary so much
Unlike NHS fees, which are fixed by regulation, private dental fees are set by each individual practice. The main factors affecting price are:
- Location: Central London practices typically charge 40–70% more than equivalent practices in smaller cities or rural areas.
- Practice type: High-end private practices with specialist equipment charge more than local general practices. Dental schools charge less because treatment is supervised by students (under expert guidance).
- Dentist experience: Specialist or highly-experienced dentists command higher fees, particularly for complex work like implants, orthodontics or root canal treatment on difficult teeth.
- Materials used: Premium materials (monolithic zirconia crowns, Ivoclar composite resin) cost more than standard options. This is often where private dentistry genuinely differs from NHS — you can specify the material.
- Technology: Practices with CBCT scanners, digital impressions, CAD/CAM and same-day crown milling charge a premium but can offer faster and sometimes higher-precision results.
Private dentist prices by UK city 2026
| City | Routine check-up | White filling (medium) | Crown (porcelain) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (Zone 1–2) | £100–£150 | £180–£300 | £1,000–£2,000 |
| London (outer boroughs) | £75–£120 | £130–£220 | £750–£1,400 |
| Manchester | £60–£100 | £120–£200 | £650–£1,100 |
| Birmingham | £55–£95 | £110–£190 | £600–£1,000 |
| Leeds | £55–£90 | £100–£180 | £600–£1,000 |
| Bristol | £60–£100 | £120–£200 | £700–£1,100 |
| Edinburgh | £55–£95 | £110–£190 | £650–£1,100 |
| Cardiff | £50–£90 | £100–£170 | £600–£1,000 |
| Belfast | £45–£80 | £90–£160 | £550–£950 |
How to reduce private dental costs
- Join a dental membership plan: Many practices offer monthly plans (£15–£35/month) that include two check-ups, a hygienist visit and 10–15% off restorative treatment. Over a year, this saves most patients £100–£250 versus pay-as-you-go.
- Use a dental school: The UK has 20+ dental schools where supervised students provide treatment at 30–60% below high-street rates. Quality is high and all work is checked by qualified dentists. Search "dental school near me" to find your nearest.
- Get dental insurance or a health cash plan: Plans from £7–£15/month reimburse 50–80% of check-up and hygienist costs. See our guide to affordable dental insurance for specific plan comparisons.
- Register with a direct-access hygienist: If you only need routine scaling and polishing, you can see a hygienist directly (without a dentist referral) at standalone hygienist practices for £50–£80 — cheaper than most private dental practice hygienist rates.
- Shop around for major treatments: For crowns, implants and orthodontics, it is worth getting 2–3 quotes. Prices can vary by 50–100% between practices. Use our guide to UK dental costs by city to benchmark local prices.
- Consider dental tourism: For multiple crowns, full implant sets or large cosmetic cases, dental tourism in Turkey, Hungary or Poland can cost 50–70% less than UK prices. Our dental tourism guide explains the risks and how to do it safely.
- Pay promptly: Some practices offer a small discount (3–5%) for payment on the day. Always ask.
Should I check if I qualify for free NHS care first?
Before paying private fees, always check if you qualify for free NHS dental treatment. You are entitled to free NHS dental care in England if you are:
- Under 18 years old (or under 19 in full-time education)
- Pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months
- Receiving Universal Credit, Income-related ESA, JSA or Income Support
- Receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Named on an HC2 certificate (low-income scheme)
- An NHS hospital dental patient
Scotland offers free NHS dental treatment to all residents regardless of income. Wales and Northern Ireland have their own similar exemption schemes. See our free NHS dental care eligibility guide for full details.
For a complete overview of NHS charges, see our NHS dental band charges 2026 guide. To compare NHS vs private for your specific situation, use our NHS vs private dental care guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private dental check-up cost in the UK in 2026?
A routine private dental check-up costs £50–£150. New patient appointments that include a full assessment, X-rays and treatment planning typically cost £80–£200. London and private specialist practices charge at the higher end.
What does a private dentist charge for a filling in the UK?
A private white composite filling costs £90–£250 depending on the size of the filling and the practice. Small one-surface fillings may cost as little as £90 outside London; large multi-surface fillings or those requiring more complex work can reach £250 or more.
Why is private dentistry so much more expensive than the NHS?
NHS dental fees are set by government regulation regardless of the actual cost of treatment. Private fees reflect the real cost of materials, lab fees, surgery time and overheads. The NHS system subsidises patient costs; private patients pay much closer to the true economic cost of their care.
Is it worth going private if I can get NHS treatment?
NHS is usually better value for clinically necessary treatment: check-ups (Band 1, £27.90), fillings (Band 2, £76.60) and crowns (Band 3, £332.10) are significantly cheaper than private equivalents. Go private for cosmetic treatments (whitening, veneers, Invisalign) or if you want premium materials, longer appointments or faster access.
How do I find an affordable private dentist near me?
Compare quotes from two or three local practices. Look for practices offering new patient discounts or dental membership plans. Dental schools and hygienist-only practices offer supervised treatment at lower fees — typically 20–50% below high-street private rates.