NHS treatments and costs

Learn more about how much you could pay for your NHS dental treatment and what services are covered by the NHS. The NHS provides any clinically necessary treatment needed to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain. For most patients, this will examinations, rudimentary treatments, and preventative care. However, the NHS does also offer fillings, root canal work, extractions, and dental appliances where clinically necessary. The costs associated with these treatments will vary depending on which region you reside, please use our guide below to learn what treatment is available to you as an NHS patient.

NHS England
NHS Scotland
NHS Wales
NHS Northern Ireland

Band1£26.80

This covers:

Examination
Diagnosis, advice and X-rays
Scale and polish*
Fluoride varnish & fissure sealant
Further treatment planning

*Only available if clinically necessary

Band2£73.50

Everything in band 1 plus additional treatment such as:

Band3£319.10

Everything in band 1 & 2 plus more complex procedures:

Find your nearest dentist here

Who is entitled to free NHS dental treatment?

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts, you are:

under 18
under 19 and in full-time education
pregnant or you've had a baby in the 12 months before treatment starts
staying in an NHS hospital and the hospital dentist carries out your treatment

You can also get free NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts or when you're asked to pay:

you're included in an award of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit
you're named on, or entitled to, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
you're named on a valid HC2 certificate
If you're named on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all your NHS dental treatment. HC2 and HC3 certificates are issued under the NHS Low Income Scheme - see below

You will not be exempt from paying for NHS dental treatment because you receive one of the benefits below when paid on their own:

Incapacity Benefit
Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit
Pension Credit savings credit

Proof of your entitlement

You'll be asked to show your dentist written proof that you're entitled to help with dental treatment costs. This will vary depending on your circumstances.

NHS Low Income Scheme

The NHS Low Income Scheme provides income-related help to people not exempt from charges but who may be entitled to full or partial help with healthcare costs if they have a low income. Anyone can apply as long as they don't have savings or investments over the capital limit. In England, the capital limit is £16,000 (or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home).

Help is based on a comparison between your weekly income and assessed requirements at the time the claim is made. Entitlement broadly follows Income Support rules to decide how much, if anything, you have to pay towards your healthcare costs, including dental treatment costs.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website has more information about the NHS Low Income Scheme, including how to apply.

Providing NHS Dentistry

If you want more information on the dental services provided by the NHS, please visit their handy guide here.

How much will I pay for NHS dental treatment?

You can get free dental treatment in Scotland if you're:

under 26 years old
pregnant or are a nursing mother

Unless you are in one of the groups entitled to free NHS dental treatment, or help with the cost, you'll need to pay 80% of the cost of your NHS dental treatment up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment.

Find out more about this on the Practitioner Services website.

Costs

The NHS fee structure is complex and varies considerably from patient to patient depending of the treatment required.

Examples of costs can be found on the Scottish Dental website.

Help with costs

The Scottish Government have produced a leaflet providing information on NHS dental costs and getting help with these. It's called A Quick Guide To Help With Health Costs.

Find your nearest dentist here

Band1£20

This covers:

Examination
Diagnosis, advice and X-rays
Scale and polish*
Fluoride varnish & fissure sealant
Further treatment planning

*Only available if clinically necessary

Band2£60

Everything in band 1 plus additional treatment such as:

Band3£260

Everything in band 1 & 2 plus more complex procedures:

Urgent treatment £30

Regulation 11 treatment (30% of Band 3)

Find your nearest dentist here

You can get free NHS dental treatment if when the treatment starts you:

Are aged under 18
Are aged 18 and in full time education
Are pregnant or have had a baby within the 12 month before treatment starts
Are an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
Are an NHS Hospital Dental Service out-patient*

Or, when the treatment starts or when the charge is made:

During the period April 2013 - March 2015 you receive or are included in an award of someone receiving Universal Credit
You get or are included in an award of someone getting: Income support, or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Universal Credit, Income Related Employment & Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit; Income groups page
You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
You are named on a valid HC2W certificate

Partial Help: If you are named on a HC3W certificate you might get some help towards the cost of your NHS dental treatment. Read Low Income Scheme.

War pensioners - please read Other groups.

Free NHS Dental Examination

You get free dental examinations if you are:

Aged under 25 on the day you are examined in Wales; or
Aged 60 or over on the day you are examined in Wales.

Any subsequent treatment as a result of the free examination carries the appropriate charge.

Who is entitled to free HSC dental treatment?

You can get free dental treatment in Northern Ireland if you're:

aged under 18
aged 18 and in full time education
pregnant, or have had a child, within the 12 months before treatment starts
a hospital inpatient and the treatment is carried out by a hospital dentist
getting, or your partner gets, Income Support, income related Employment and Support Allowance, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Universal Credit or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
entitled to, or named on, a valid tax credit exemption certificate
a war pensioner and need the dental treatment test because of a disability for which you get a war pension
a Hospital Dental Service out-patient
a Community Dental Service patient

If you are a Hospital Dental Service out-patient or a Community Dental Service patient, you may have to pay for treatments involving dental laboratory items such as dentures and bridges.

If you are not entitled to free treatment or help with the cost of treatment then you are required to pay a charge for Health Service dental services. The charge is 80% of the cost up to a maximum of £384.

Costs

The HSC fee structure will vary from patient to patient depending on the treatment required.

Examples of costs can be found on the nidrect website

Help with costs

You can view more information regarding help with your dental costs on the following page via the nidrect website

Find your nearest dentist here

NHS dental care at mydentist

When you visit a mydentist practice as an NHS patient, your clinician will assess and judge what treatments they consider to be appropriate. They will always make sure you are aware of what treatments are provided by the NHS and what treatments you may opt for on a private basis, should you need choose, along with associated costs.

How do I find an NHS dentist?

Here at mydentist, we work with our clinicians to provide you with access to both NHS and private dental care, to ensure you get the most out of your smile. If you’re currently looking for a new NHS dentist, we may be able to help. Use our search function to locate a mydentist practice offering NHS services close to you.

Have you thought about?

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Boost and maintain your mental wellbeing with quick and practical advice from Your Mind Plan, offered by the NHS. Visit your mind plan page for more info.

FAQs

Who is entitled to free NHS dental treatment?

You will be entitled to free NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts, you are:

Under 18
Under 19 and in full-time education
Pregnant or you've had a baby in the 12 months before treatment starts
Staying in an NHS hospital and the hospital dentist carries out your treatment

You can also get free NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts or when you're asked to pay:

You're included in an award of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit
You're named on, or entitled to, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
You're named on a valid HC2 certificate
If you're named on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all your NHS dental treatment. HC2 and HC3 certificates are issued under the NHS Low Income Scheme - see below.

You will not be exempt from paying for NHS dental treatment because you receive one of the benefits below when paid on their own:

Incapacity Benefit
Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit
Pension Credit savings credit

You'll be asked to show your dentist written proof that you're entitled to financial help with dental treatment. This will vary depending on your circumstances. To check what documents you need, see the NHS HC11 leaflet: Help with health costs.

When will I pay for NHS dental treatment?

Unless you are exempt, only some minor treatments are offered for free through the NHS. But in the case that you must pay for your treatment, you will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course - even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.

In cases where you are referred to another dentist for an additional course of treatment, you should expect a second charge.

What is the NHS Low Income Scheme?

The NHS Low Income Scheme provides income-related help to people who are not exempt from charges but who may be entitled to full or partial help with healthcare costs if they have a low income. Anyone can apply as long as they don't have savings or investments over the capital limit. In England, the capital limit is £16,000 (or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home).

Help is based on a comparison between your weekly income and assessed requirements at the time the claim is made. Entitlement broadly follows Income Support rules to decide how much, if anything, you must pay towards your healthcare costs, including dental treatment costs.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website has more information about the NHS Low Income Scheme, including how to apply.

What treatments aren’t included under NHS dental care?

Typically, NHS dental care doesn’t include treatments that would be considered cosmetic, for aesthetic purposes or not clinically necessary such as advanced treatments. Your clinician will discuss your treatment options with you to ensure you receive the dental care you need to feel confident in your smile.

What dental treatment can be provided on the NHS?

It is up to the dentist to decide what dental treatment is clinically necessary.

Treatments that cannot be deemed clinically necessary or that are purely cosmetic, such as sports guards or external bleaching, must be provided privately.

Your clinician will discuss your treatment options with you to ensure you receive the dental care you need to feel confident in your smile.

Find your nearest dentist here