Paying for dental treatment
NHS dental treatment in England costs £27.90, £76.60 or £332.10 for a course of treatment, depending on the band (checked 17 October 2026), and some people pay nothing or only part. Private fees are set by each practice; the table below compares them.
How NHS charges work
- You pay one charge for a course of treatment, at the highest band it includes.
- Further treatment within 2 months in the same or a lower band costs nothing extra; a higher band costs that band's charge.
- An urgent appointment costs £27.90.
- Some things are free, such as removing stitches, stopping bleeding, and repairing dentures (new dentures are charged).
- These are the charges in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own.
Who pays nothing or less
The NHS says you get free NHS dental treatment in England if, for example, you are under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education; pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months; or you or your partner get income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit below an income limit. The NHS help with dental costs page has the full list and the proof you need to show.
If you are on a low income but do not qualify, the NHS Low Income Scheme may help. You can apply if your savings, investments or property (not counting your home) are £16,000 or less, or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home. Apply online through the NHS Business Services Authority or on an HC1 form. Full help gives an HC2 certificate; partial help gives an HC3 certificate showing what you pay.
If you paid for NHS treatment and later find you were entitled to help, you can claim a refund on form HC5(D). The NHS says refund claims must arrive within 3 months of paying.
Free NHS treatment does not cover private treatment: if part of your treatment is private, you pay for that part.
Know the cost before you start
- NHS: your dentist must give you a signed treatment plan with the costs for any Band 2 or Band 3 course, or for a mix of NHS and private treatment, and must make clear which treatments are NHS and which are private. You can ask for a plan for Band 1 too.
- Private: the General Dental Council requires a written treatment plan with costs before treatment starts, an updated plan in writing if it changes, and clear information about whether treatment is guaranteed.
- Mixing: you can have NHS treatment and choose private options in the same course; the plan shows both.
Practices must also publish clear prices on their websites. Our guide to reading a dental price list covers what to check.
NHS charge and private price, side by side
| Treatment | NHS (England) | Private, London |
|---|---|---|
| Dental crowns per tooth | £332.10 Band 3 | £285 to £2,500 631 practices |
| Root canal treatment per tooth | £76.60 Band 2 | £175 to £1,975 592 practices |
| Dentures per full arch | £332.10 Band 3 | £300 to £3,575 440 practices |
| Private dental check-ups per visit | £27.90 Band 1 | £25 to £350 580 practices |
| Emergency dental appointments per visit | £27.90 Urgent treatment | £25 to £325 460 practices |
The NHS band charge covers the whole course of treatment, which may include more than one item. Private prices from practice websites, checked October 2026.
Finance and insurance
DentalCosts does not offer, compare or link to dental finance, loans or insurance. Credit and insurance are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority; if a practice offers either, ask it who provides it and get the terms in writing.
Sources
- NHS, How much NHS dental treatment costs, read 17 October 2026.
- NHS, Who can get free NHS dental treatment or help with dental costs, last reviewed 11 February 2025.
- NHS, NHS Low Income Scheme, read 17 October 2026.
- NHS, Dental services available on the NHS, last reviewed 11 February 2025.
- General Dental Council, Standards for the Dental Team, principle 2, read 17 October 2026.
NHS charges and help with costs from nhs.uk, checked 17 October 2026, for England. Private prices from each practice's own website, checked October 2026. How we collect prices