---
title: "NHS Dental Costs by Nation 2026: England, Wales, Scotland"
description: NHS dental charges compared across all four UK nations from April 2026, plus who gets free treatment and how to apply for an HC2 or HC3 certificate.
canonical: "https://www.dentistcost.co.uk/nhs-bands"
format: text/markdown alternate of the HTML page at canonical
updated: 2026-09-26
publisher: Dentist Cost UK — independent UK dental price guide, not a dental practice
prices_effective: 2026-04-01
sources:
  - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/
  - https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-dental-costs
  - https://111.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/dentalservices
  - https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/receiving-nhs-dental-treatment-in-scotland/
  - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/dental-costs
  - https://www.mytribeinsurance.co.uk/treatment/cost-of-private-dental-treatment-uk
---

## NHS Dental Charges — All Four UK Nations

URL: https://www.dentistcost.co.uk/nhs-bands
Effective from: 1 April 2026
Data download: https://www.dentistcost.co.uk/data/nhs-dental-charges-2026.json · https://www.dentistcost.co.uk/data/nhs-dental-charges-2026.csv (CC BY 4.0)

### England

Three-band course of treatment. You pay one band charge per course, even if you need several visits.

- **Band 1: £27.90** — Examination, assessment and advice; X-rays (if clinically needed); Scale and polish (if clinically needed); Fluoride or fissure sealant application; Minor denture or brace adjustments
- **Band 2: £76.60** — Everything in Band 1; Fillings (amalgam or composite); Root canal treatment; Tooth extractions; Complex periodontal (gum) treatment
- **Band 3: £332.10** — Everything in Bands 1 and 2; Crowns (metal, porcelain bonded to metal); Dentures (acrylic or metal-based); Bridges; Inlays and onlays; Other lab-made appliances
- **Urgent / Emergency: £27.90** — Pain relief or temporary treatment for an urgent dental problem; May include up to two extractions, dressings and re-cementing crowns

Source: [NHS England — How much NHS dental treatment costs](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/) (checked 2026-09-26)

### Wales

Wales replaced the Band 1 / 2 / 3 charges on 1 April 2026 under its new NHS dental contract. You pay one fixed charge per care package (assessment, restorative, root canal, crown and bridge, dentures and so on), even when the package takes several visits. Laboratory charges for crowns, bridges and dentures are paid separately unless you are exempt. Total patient charges are capped at £384 per course of treatment.

- **New patient assessment: £27.21** — Full clinical and general health assessment; Soft-tissue examination and X-rays where appropriate; Preventive care and advice
- **Recall appointment: £25.00 per visit** — Review examination at the interval set by your individual risk (NICE guidance)
- **Urgent care package: £37.50** — Oral health assessment plus treatment to relieve pain or stop the problem worsening
- **Simple restorative package: £36.03** — Fillings, temporary crowns, Hall crowns and extractions for up to 4 teeth
- **Extensive restorative package: £68.75** — The same treatments for 5 to 8 teeth
- **Periodontal care package: £48.53** — Gum disease treatment: tailored oral hygiene instruction and plaque removal
- **Stabilisation package: £75.00** — Extensive decay (7 or more teeth): extractions, prevention, restorations and gum support
- **Anterior root canal package: £91.18** — Root canal treatment on up to two front teeth
- **Posterior root canal package: £182.72** — Root canal treatment on up to two premolars or molars
- **Crown, bridge, inlay, onlay and veneer package: £140.44 + laboratory charges** — Up to 2 crowns, or a bridge of up to 3 units; Laboratory charges paid separately unless you are exempt
- **Denture care package: £86.40 + laboratory charges** — Upper and lower dentures; Laboratory charges paid separately unless you are exempt
- **Miscellaneous package: £25.00** — Denture repairs, relines and adjustments; Bite-raising appliances, study models, biopsy; Re-cementing crowns, bridges or veneers; removing sutures
- **Maximum per course of treatment: £384.00** — Cap on total patient charges for one course of treatment, laboratory items included

Source: [GOV.WALES — NHS dental charges and exemptions](https://www.gov.wales/nhs-dental-charges-and-exemptions) (checked 2026-09-26)

### Scotland

No banding. NHS examinations are FREE for every registered patient in Scotland. For other treatment, adults pay 80% of the treatment fee, capped at £384 per course. Everyone under 26 receives all NHS treatment completely free, not just examinations.

- **NHS examination: Free** — Routine check-up — free for every registered patient; Review examinations
- **Under-26s — all NHS treatment: Free** — Every item including fillings, root canals, crowns and dentures is free for patients under 26
- **Adult patient contribution: 80% of item-of-service fee** — Applied to each item of treatment using the Statement of Dental Remuneration
- **Maximum per course (adults): £384.00** — Any cost above this cap is fully NHS-funded

Source: [NHS inform — Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland](https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/receiving-nhs-dental-treatment-in-scotland/) (checked 2026-09-26)

### Northern Ireland

Item-of-service charging from the Statement of Dental Remuneration. You pay 80% of each item up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment. Examinations are charged. Under-18s and other exempt groups pay nothing.

- **Examination (adult): from £9.36** — Routine HSC examination
- **Scale and polish: from £10.36** — Per item, when clinically required
- **White / amalgam filling: £12 – £42** — Per filling, depending on surfaces
- **Extraction: from £14** — Simple extraction
- **Maximum per course: £384.00** — Cap on total patient contribution

Source: [nidirect — Dental costs (Statement of Dental Remuneration)](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/dental-costs) (checked 2026-09-26)

### Who gets free NHS dental care
- Under 18 years old
- Under 19 and in full-time education
- Pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months (with maternity exemption certificate)
- In receipt of qualifying low-income benefits (Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, Universal Credit meeting earnings criteria)
- Named on a valid NHS HC2 certificate (full help with health costs)
- Named on a valid HC3 certificate (partial help — reduced charge)