Private and NHS dental charges

The mixing of NHS and private dental treatment within the same system can be confusing for patients, so it helps to have an idea of what things should cost. 

In our guide, we explain how to find the right dentist for you, how much you should expect to pay for treatment, how to navigate the NHS charging structure, what to do if you're faced with unexpected costs, and how NHS and private options differ.

Whether you opt for an NHS dentist (if you can find one) or go private, prices should be communicated clearly upfront – but this isn't always the case. In fact, when we asked 1,000 survey respondents in 2019 about their experiences with their dentist, one in five told us that they'd had treatment without being sure what the cost would be.

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NHS dental charges 2023

There are currently three bands. The amount you spend will vary depending on the type of treatment you need.

• Band 1: £25.80 Covers treatment including a clinical examination, diagnosis (including X-rays if needed), a scale and polish (if needed), application of fluoride or fissure sealant and preventative advice.
• Band 2: £70.70 Includes everything in band 1, plus further treatment such as non-surgical gum treatment, fillings, root-canal work and tooth removal (extractions).
• Band 3: £306.80 Includes everything in bands 1 and 2, plus more complex treatments, such as crowns, bridges, orthodontic treatments and appliances, dentures and bridges.

You should pay only one charge for a course of treatment, even if you visit the dentist a few times – so three fillings and a crown recommended on the same treatment plan would all be covered by band 3. 

If you need band 2 or 3 treatment and pay dental charges (in other words, you aren't exempt), you should be given a written treatment plan.

If you need treatment, you shouldn't be expected to pay privately, although your dentist should explain suitable private options you can consider. Dentists aren't allowed to refuse any treatment available on the NHS but then offer it privately, or to suggest that NHS treatment is inferior.

Certain people get free NHS dental care, including those who are pregnant or have had a baby within the past 12 months, those under 18 (or under 19 in full-time education) and those entitled to certain income-related benefits.

In Wales, a similar banding system is in place, with the equivalent of band 1 charged at £14.70, band 2 at £47 and band 3 at £203. See also gov.wales, NHS dental charges and exemption for more.

In Northern Ireland and Scotland, the same system is in place. Unless you're covered by one of the groups entitled to free NHS dental work, the charge to the NHS patient is 80% of the dentist's fee up to a maximum of £384.

Your dentist should have a prominently displayed price list in the surgery – if you don't see it, ask.

See our pick of the best electric toothbrushes

NHS dental costs vs private dentist fees: what's the difference?

We asked major private practice chains for their pricing for different procedures. Our dental treatment pricing table below will help you identify whether you're getting a decent deal on care or paying over the odds. 

Below the table, you'll find more detail on each treatment, what's different if you go private and what to check before going ahead.

*Price included in consultation or check-up if done as part of the appointment.

Dental insurance explained - find out if it's right for you.

New patient consultation or check-up

• NHS price: Band 1 £25.80
• Private price: £20 to £120

Ask how long your private consultation will last and whether any X-rays are included (including the type of X-ray) as it varies between practices. Subsequent routine appointments are usually cheaper, but we suggest that you ask for ongoing prices.

Routine private appointments will generally be allocated more time than those on the NHS and may be offered out of hours (evenings and weekends), which is useful if you don’t want to take time off work or be seen quickly.

Simple X-rays/radiograph

• NHS price: Band 1 £25.80
• Private price: £5 to £40

As a new patient, you'll usually have simple X-rays of your back teeth (called bite-wings). This will be included in the price of a new patient consultation.

Usually, any X-rays required as part of a check-up are also included. But you may need more complex specialist X-rays to get a view of the whole mouth from ear to ear – this may well be more expensive if done privately.

Hygiene clean/scale and polish

• NHS price: Band 1 £25.80 or Band 2 £70.70 for deep scaling
• Private price: £25 to £85

Band 1 covers a range of basic treatments, including a scale and polish, if dentally necessary. But 'necessary' is the key word here. If your dentist recommends a clean for more cosmetic maintenance, you're likely to be asked to make an appointment with a private hygienist.

Privately, you’ll definitely get a longer appointment and usually a more intensive clean.

If you have a regular clean from the hygienist, there’s no evidence to suggest you shouldn’t keep doing it. But, equally, the evidence isn’t there to say a routine scale and polish make your mouth healthier. Next time your dentist suggests a hygienist visit, ask if it's clinically necessary, as you might be entitled to cleaning under the NHS.

Looking after your teeth

Patients also have their part to play in preventative dental care. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and don’t rinse after you spit, and regularly clean between teeth with interdental brushes or floss. You could also use mouthwash (although not straight after brushing as it will wash away the concentrated fluoride on your teeth), but it's not essential for most.

See our guide to choosing the best toothpaste, with insights from dental experts

Amalgam / metal filling

• NHS price: Band 2 £70.70
• Private price: £30 to £175

The cavity in your tooth is drilled so it can be filled with a mixture of metals. Private prices for all types of filling depend on the size and complexity of the treatment you need.

Amalgam is hard wearing and good for the back chewing teeth. This is the more common type of filling you'll be offered on the NHS. If you're going private, it may be worth upgrading to a white filling.

Composite / white filling

• NHS price: Band 2 £70.70
• Private price: £40 to £250

Composite fillings are trickier to carry out (the tooth surface must be dry when the resin gel is bonded on) and can be less hard-wearing for back teeth that chew and grind. More expensive private ones are lab-made for you.

On the NHS, you’re more likely to get them on front teeth, but your dentist gets to decide what is necessary.

Root canal treatment

• NHS price: Band 2 £70.70
• Private price: £45 to £970

If decay gets deep into your tooth and affects the root, a root filling (root canal work) can save the tooth. 

Private prices range greatly, as root canal can be a technically demanding treatment and you may be referred to a specialist endodontist. How much you pay depends on the tooth size and position (back teeth tend to be more expensive), and the complexity.

Tooth extraction

• NHS price: Band 2 £70.70
• Private price: £50 to £370

Some teeth will be routinely extracted in the surgery – known as a simple extraction. Others will need referral to a dentist with advanced skills in surgical treatments because they’re awkwardly shaped or placed and surrounding bone may need to be removed to free them.

Crowns

• NHS price: Band 3 £306.80
• Private price: £250 to £1,180

Crowns are shaped like natural teeth and fit like a cap over your own teeth. Private prices depend on materials used and time taken.

Any lab that makes crowns for the NHS is governed by strict regulations about the materials used, and many will be producing both private and NHS work. But dentists can use different suppliers or technicians for NHS and private patients. The difference in the end result is likely to lie largely in cosmetic aspects, such as the colour matching and finish.

Crowns may be made of materials including porcelain (most expensive for a very natural tooth look), porcelain bonded on to precious metal or all metal (generally less expensive and used on back teeth).

NHS crowns are usually made of a metal core surrounded by a porcelain wrapping, which may not be an entirely realistic ‘tooth’. The dentist can choose from a limited number of colour shades, so the result may not produce an accurate match for your teeth.

Private crowns may be made of precious metals (eg gold, platinum or palladium) or a combination of minerals and porcelain, and will give a more natural appearance.

Dentures/bridges

• NHS price: Band 3 £306.80
• Private price: £355 to £2,520

As with crowns, the labs that make dentures and bridges for the NHS are held to strict regulations about the material they use, and produce work for the private firms as well as the NHS. Again, the difference is mainly in the aesthetics.

NHS dentures are usually made of solid acrylic, which can feel bulky and less comfortable in the mouth than some private options. Dentures made privately may be made from a more expensive flexible acrylic or chrome, which can feel much more natural.

Bridges tend to look better and feel more comfortable than dentures, plus some people may want a permanent replacement rather than a removable prosthesis.

Bridges are sometimes refused on the NHS, because they can be seen as a cosmetic choice over the more practical and less invasive option of a denture. A bridge can compromise the long-term health of the teeth on either side, so a dentist can argue that it’s not the best option for making you dentally fit.

If your dentist is unwilling to give you a bridge on the NHS, they might still offer it privately, if that's what you want.

Note: Private costs listed above are correct as of February 2020. 

Based on prices quoted by leading private dental chains including Bupa, Dentalcare group, MyDentist and Rodericks. We also contacted private dentistry companies Genix Healthcare and Southern Dental, but they declined to provide any pricing information.

How to find the best dentist

Ideally, you'll want a dentist that isn't too far away, so you can easily get there in case of an urgent dental problem. In England, you can use the NHS website to search for nearby dentists. Head to the Find a dentist page and search for a town, city or postcode. 

Note that you shouldn’t be asked to pay a deposit before booking an NHS appointment, a poor practice we have uncovered in previous investigations.

Depending on where you live, you may still have to ring around to find a dental practice to take you as a new patient.

In other UK countries, NHS dentist finder services include Health in Wales, NHS24 in Scotland and Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. 

At the moment, it can be difficult to sign up as an NHS patient as it's a bit of a postcode lottery – some areas have much higher waiting lists and backlogs than others. But you shouldn't feel you have to see a private dentist because there are no NHS appointments available, even if it's suggested as an alternative. 

Before you book, check whether you’re booking NHS or privately so you don't get any nasty surprises on your bill.

If you're using the NHS, it’s a good idea to book your next check-up on the way out from your last, or at least some weeks ahead of when it’s due, to ensure you get a slot when you need it.

How to find an emergency dentist

For urgent treatment, you might be able to get an emergency appointment from a local dentist, or call NHS 111 to be put in touch with an emergency dental service. The NHS number can also offer self-care advice.

In emergency situations, you should be seen quickly, whether that's under the NHS or privately. Bear in mind, though, that GPs aren't able to offer emergency or out-of-hours dental care.

Tips for anxious patients

If you're nervous about your upcoming appointment, know that you aren't alone as it's pretty common. Here are some ways to manage your concerns:

• Make sure your dentist knows how you're feeling ahead of the appointment, as they may be able to make some changes to help you feel more at ease. 
• A morning slot could be better than an afternoon one. That way, you have less time in the day to dwell on things.
• Check if you can bring along a friend for support if you need to.
• You might find listening to some music can help you de-stress.

You can also check if your dentist provides any specialist services for nervous patients. 

There are options for extremely anxious patients, such as sedation, on both the NHS and privately. But establishing a good relationship with a dentist you trust can also help in the long term, and is likely to be cheaper and more practical than having to opt for sedation each time. 

Don't avoid going, as the more familiar and comfortable you are, the less stressful any urgent treatment will be (and less likely if you're having regular check-ups).

Questions to ask your dentist

Before your appointment, make sure you know how much your visit will cost, plus whether or not X-rays will be included if you're paying privately. 

Come armed with key questions, such as:

• Can you explain my treatment options, along with the pros and cons of each?
• What would happen if I don’t have the treatment?
• When do I have to pay?
• If I’m unhappy with the results, who pays for the work to correct problems?
• If there are complications and I need more treatment, will there be extra charges?
• What can I do to prevent further problems?

It's also worth finding out how you can contact your dentist after your treatment. 

Getting a second opinion is an option if you're unsure about whether to undertake treatment, or whether it’s worth paying privately – this might be done for free if it’s within the same practice.

How to complain about your dentist

If you're unhappy with the service provided, you do have the right to complain. Here are typical steps and advise on who to contact:

Step 1: informal resolution

If you’ve got concerns or complaints about NHS or private treatment, ask your dentist or dental practice to investigate. They should take it seriously and are required to have a complaints procedure.

For help, consult our advice on how to complain about a dentist.

Step 2: take it further

NHS dental patients can complain to NHS England, NHS health boards in Scotland, your Health Board in Wales or your HSC Trust in Northern Ireland. 

Private patients can contact the Dental Complaints Service on 020 8253 0800.

The Care Quality Commission also regulates dental practices in England (separate regulators in UK countries), but doesn’t deal with individual complaints. Although, it does encourage patients to feed back on any issues.

For complaints about a dental professional’s ability, behaviour or health, contact the General Dental Council on 020 7167 6000.

Step 3: If you're still not satisfied

If the NHS isn't able to resolve your concern, contact the independent Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman in England – each UK country has an ombudsman.

If you've had poor treatment from your dentist, we can advise you of your rights.