NHS dental treatment charges from April 2026: what each band costs, who pays nothing and how the four nations differ

What NHS dental treatment costs in England from 1 April 2026

Treatment in England is grouped into three bands, and you pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if it takes several visits. If you need treatments from different bands, you pay only the highest band. Your dentist should tell you the cost before starting, and may collect the charge in instalments.

Band 1, at £27.90, is a routine appointment. It can include an examination, X-rays if clinically needed, fluoride, scaling if your dentist says it is clinically needed, moulds of your teeth and minor adjustments to dentures or braces. Extensive gum treatment can move into Band 2.

Band 2, at £76.60, includes everything in Band 1 plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions and other oral surgery, sealants, additions to dentures such as an extra tooth or clasp, and extensive management of gum disease. Wisdom teeth can be removed on the NHS when clinically necessary.

Band 3, at £332.10, includes everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, inlays and onlays, plastic or metal dentures, bridges, clinically necessary orthodontic treatment and other custom-made appliances. On a back tooth you may be offered a metal-coloured crown.

Urgent treatment, follow-up visits and what is free

An urgent or emergency NHS appointment costs £27.90. It can cover an assessment, X-rays, a temporary filling, emergency root canal work, draining an abscess, treating an injury such as a knocked-out tooth, refixing a crown or bridge, removing up to 2 teeth and 1 urgent filling. Any further routine treatment afterwards may cost extra.

If you need further treatment within 2 months, you pay nothing extra when it falls in the same band or a lower one. If it falls in a higher band, you pay the higher band fee. Once 2 months have passed, you pay for any further treatment. Having stitches removed, stopping bleeding from your mouth and repairing dentures are free.

Do pensioners get free NHS dental treatment?

In England, no. Age is not on the official list of reasons for free treatment, and most adults pay, including pensioners. Free NHS treatment in England is for people under 18, those aged 18 in full-time education, people who are pregnant or had a baby or stillbirth in the last 12 months, hospital dental patients, and some war pensioners for their accepted disability.

What brings free treatment for many older people is money rather than age. You are entitled if you or your partner get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, including Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit, income-related ESA, or Universal Credit with income below a set level. A valid HC2 certificate also gives free treatment. If you are nearing State Pension age and get free treatment through Universal Credit now, read our guide to benefits that stop when you reach State Pension age and check Pension Credit.

Help with costs: HC2 and HC3 certificates and refunds

If you are not automatically entitled to free treatment but have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme can help. An HC2 certificate gives full help, so treatment is free. An HC3 certificate gives partial help and shows the most you have to pay. Certificates usually last between 6 months and 5 years.

• You cannot get help if you, or you and your partner, have more than £16,000 in savings, investments or property other than your home.
• The limit is £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home, or £24,000 in Wales.
• With more than £6,000 in savings you cannot apply online, but you can still apply on paper.
• Anyone on a qualifying benefit already gets full help and does not need to apply.

If you paid for NHS treatment and later find you were entitled to free or cheaper care, you can claim a refund with form HC5(D), but in England the claim must be made within 3 months of paying. Claiming free treatment you are not entitled to can lead to a penalty charge, so check if you can get help with NHS costs before ticking the form at the practice.

NHS dentist charges in Scotland

Scotland works differently from England. Every NHS dental examination is free for everyone who lives in Scotland. For treatment, adults who pay are charged 80% of the cost, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. Treatment is free for everyone under 26, for people who are pregnant or gave birth in the last 12 months, and for those exempt through income or benefits, which covers around 40% of patients.

NHS dental charges in Wales and Northern Ireland

Wales replaced its old bands on 1 April 2026 with charges for each type of care, and the most you pay for a course of treatment is £384. Before the change, Welsh patients paid £20, £60 or £260. Examinations are free if you are under 25 or 60 or over, but if the examination leads to an X-ray or plaque removal, you pay the full recall charge.

In Northern Ireland, Health Service patient charges are published each year in the Statement of Dental Remuneration. The 2026 statement lists patient charges of £9.11 for a standard examination, £14.46 for a scale and polish, £12.05 for a one-surface metal filling and £11.13 for taking out one tooth. Free treatment covers the same main groups as England, and the Universal Credit rule is spelled out, with net earnings of £435 or less in your last assessment period, or £935 or less if you claim for children or have limited capability for work.

NHS or private, and what to do if a practice is not taking NHS patients

NHS dentists provide the treatment you clinically need. Scaling your dentist says is not clinically necessary has to be paid for privately, and NHS inform gives tooth whitening and implants as examples of cosmetic work usually only available privately. A white filling on a back tooth is often a private option, because a silver-coloured filling may be more effective there. Your dentist should explain the choices and any private cost before you agree.

You are not tied to a catchment area, so you can contact any NHS dental practice and ask for an appointment. Practices often have limited NHS capacity, which means joining a waiting list, trying another practice or being seen privately. Registering at a first visit does not guarantee NHS care there in future. Our report on the NHS dentist shortage shows how widespread this is.

• England: use Find a dentist on NHS.UK, and if you cannot get an appointment, contact your local integrated care board, which manages dental services.
• Urgent problems: call your usual dentist, or NHS 111 if you have no dentist or it has no emergency slots.
• Wales: register your interest through the Dental Access Portal and you will be contacted when a place is available.
• Scotland: search for an NHS dentist on NHS inform, and phone NHS 111 for an emergency out of hours.
• Northern Ireland: the dental access scheme offers weekday urgent appointments, and Emergency Dental Clinics cover weekends.

How to complain about NHS dental care or charges

Start with the practice and ask for a copy of its complaints procedure. If you would rather not complain to the practice in England, contact your local integrated care board, or in Wales your Local Health Board. Complaints should normally be made within 12 months of the problem or of you finding out about it.

If you are still unhappy at the end of that process, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on 0345 015 4033 makes final decisions on NHS complaints in England, and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales covers Wales. In Scotland, complain to the practice or your health board first, and go to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman if you have not heard back after 20 working days. Complaints about private treatment go to the Dental Complaints Service, and serious concerns about a dentist can be raised with the General Dental Council.

Frequently asked questions

How we check this guide. Every figure is checked against the official sources listed above, and the guide is updated when rates or rules change.