NHS Dental Charges in England (2026/27 (from 1 April 2026))
NHS dental treatment in England is charged in three fixed bands set by the Department of Health and Social Care. The band depends on the most complex treatment in your course — not the number of appointments. These are England charges only; dental charging differs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How much does NHS dental treatment cost in England, and what does each band cover?
NHS dental treatment in England has three charge bands for 2026/27 (from 1 April 2026): Band 1 is £27.90 (check-up, X-rays, scale & polish), Band 2 is £76.60 (plus fillings, extractions, root canal) and Band 3 is £332.10 (plus crowns, dentures, bridges). Urgent treatment is £27.90. You pay only the single highest band per course. Source: nhs.uk, OGL v3.0. England only.
| Band | Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Examination, diagnosis, X-rays, scale & polish, preventive advice |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Everything in Band 1 plus fillings, extractions and root canal treatment |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Everything in Bands 1 & 2 plus crowns, dentures, bridges and orthodontic appliances |
| Urgent / emergency | £27.90 | Charged at the Band 1 rate even if higher-band work is involved |
The single-highest-band rule
You pay one charge per course of treatment — the highest band that applies, not the bands added together. For example, a check-up (£27.90, Band 1) followed by a filling in the same course of treatment is charged once at the Band 2 rate of £76.60. If your dentist completes all the treatment in one course, you never pay more than the highest band that course reaches.
If you are referred for separate treatment later, that starts a new course of treatment with its own band charge.
Worked examples
| Course of treatment | Highest band | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Routine check-up and scale & polish | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| Check-up plus one or more fillings | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Check-up, filling and a root canal | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Check-up plus a new crown or denture | Band 3 | £332.10 |
| Emergency appointment for severe toothache | Urgent (Band 1 rate) | £27.90 |
Who does not pay NHS dental charges
NHS dental treatment is free in England for under-18s (and 18-year-olds in full-time education), people on qualifying income-based benefits, holders of a valid maternity exemption (MatEx) or NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate, and NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 certificate holders. An HC3 certificate gives partial help up to the amount shown on it. Note that a medical exemption certificate (MedEx) covers prescriptions only — not dental charges.
Full eligibility: NHSBSA Help with health costs. See all NHS costs and exemptions.
NHS dental charges: frequently asked questions
- What is included in each NHS dental charge band?
- Band 1 (£27.90) covers an examination, diagnosis, X-rays, a scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventive advice. Band 2 (£76.60) includes everything in Band 1 plus fillings, extractions and root canal treatment. Band 3 (£332.10) includes everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus more complex work such as crowns, dentures, bridges and orthodontic appliances.
- What if I need treatment from more than one band?
- You pay only the single highest band that applies to a course of treatment. For example, if you have a check-up (Band 1) and a filling (Band 2) in the same course, you pay the Band 2 charge of £76.60 once — not both bands added together.
- How much is urgent or emergency NHS dental treatment?
- Urgent or emergency NHS dental treatment in England is charged at the Band 1 rate of £27.90, even though it may include treatment that would normally fall in a higher band, such as pain relief or a temporary filling.
- Who is exempt from NHS dental charges in England?
- NHS dental treatment is free in England for under-18s (and 18-year-olds in full-time education), people on qualifying income-based benefits, holders of a valid maternity or NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate, and NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 certificate holders. An HC3 certificate gives partial help up to the amount shown on it.
Dental pain and can't get an NHS appointment?
NHS dental charges are fixed, but getting an urgent appointment can be hard. GeraClinic's UK-registered clinicians can assess dental pain or infection online and, where clinically appropriate, prescribe antibiotics or pain relief while you find an NHS dentist.
Contains public sector information published by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS — How much NHS dental treatment costs (England, 2026/27 (from 1 April 2026), published 1 April 2026).
Informational/educational only — not a substitute for professional medical advice; a clinician interprets results.
NHS charges (England) are reviewed annually and may change. Figures show the published rate as at the date stated on each page; always confirm the current amount on nhs.uk before relying on it.