NHS dental charges in England: what each band costs in 2026

Most adults in England pay one of three set charges for NHS dental treatment: £27.90 for Band 1, £76.60 for Band 2 or £332.10 for Band 3. Urgent treatment is £27.90. Those are the figures on the NHS website as we checked it on 11 October 2026, and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) lists the same three amounts.

The band depends on the treatment your dentist says you need. It does not depend on how many appointments the work takes. Charges can change, so check the NHS page before you book if you are reading this later.

What each NHS dental band costs

An NHS dental band is a fixed charge for a group of treatments, and the NHS has three of them. The table below shows the charge and the examples the NHS gives for each band. The NHS notes that each band includes everything in the bands below it.

You pay one charge for each course of treatment

A course of treatment is the full set of work your dentist plans in one go. The NHS says that if you need a mix of treatments from different bands, you pay the charge for the highest band only. If the mix is all from the same band, you pay that band's charge once. NHSBSA adds that you pay one charge even if the course takes more than one visit, although your dentist may collect it in instalments.

Here is how that works in practice. If a check-up (Band 1) leads to a filling (Band 2) in the same course, the charge is £76.60, not £27.90 plus £76.60 (which would be £104.50).

The NHS also covers follow-up work. If you need further treatment within 2 months and it falls in the same band or a lower one, there is nothing extra to pay. If it falls in a higher band, you pay the higher band's charge. After 2 months, further treatment is charged as new.

What the bands mean in practice

The NHS website adds a few details that often decide which band a treatment lands in. These are the NHS's own descriptions, not ours.

• Scaling. If your dentist says scaling is clinically needed, you can have it on the NHS, done by a hygienist or dental therapist. It is usually Band 1, but extensive treatment or treatment for complex gum problems may be charged as Band 2. If the dentist says it is not clinically necessary, you pay privately.
• White fillings. Available on the NHS when clinically necessary, for example in front teeth. For a back tooth the NHS says a silver-coloured (amalgam) filling may be the more effective option. If you would prefer a white filling, ask the dentist about private costs and the risks and benefits.
• Root canal treatment. Your dentist should be able to provide it. If you need more complex treatment they may refer you to another service, and you may be offered the choice of private treatment instead.
• Crowns and bridges. You may be offered a metal-coloured crown on a back tooth. Other options may be available privately, and the NHS says crowns may need replacing in future.
• Orthodontics. Your dentist or orthodontist decides if treatment is clinically necessary using a standard assessment method. If it is, you can have it on the NHS in Band 3. If you or your child are not eligible, they can discuss alternatives.

Urgent dental appointments cost £27.90

An urgent or emergency appointment is a single charge of £27.90, separate from the three bands. The NHS says it can cover examination and advice, X-rays, a temporary filling, removing up to 2 teeth, draining an abscess, aftercare and one urgent filling. Routine, non-urgent fillings are Band 2. You may need more treatment after the urgent appointment, and that can carry further charges.

If you need urgent care, the NHS says you can get advice from NHS 111 or contact a dentist and ask for an urgent or emergency appointment. For heavy bleeding from the mouth that will not stop, or serious injuries to the face or jaw, the NHS says to go to A&E or call 999. You can also browse emergency dentists in our directory.

Who gets free NHS dental treatment

According to the NHS page on free dental treatment, you can get free NHS dental appointments and treatment if you:

• are under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• had a stillbirth in the past 12 months
• are being treated in an NHS hospital by a hospital dentist (you may still pay for dentures or bridges)
• receive War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and the treatment is for your accepted disability

You can also qualify if you or your partner receive certain benefits: income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (with or without Savings Credit), or Universal Credit if your income is below a set amount. Your dependants under 20 can then also get free treatment. Where you qualify, you will usually need proof, such as an HC2 certificate, a birth certificate or a maternity exemption certificate.

If you are on a low income but do not qualify for free treatment, the NHS Low Income Scheme can cover part of the cost. It issues an HC3 certificate that shows how much you will pay, and you show that to your dentist. Eligibility rules are on the NHS and NHSBSA pages, so check there for your own circumstances.

The NHS lists a few things you never pay for: having stitches removed, stopping bleeding from your mouth (after an extraction, for example) and repairing dentures. Replacing dentures that cannot be repaired is charged.

Claiming a refund if you paid by mistake

If you paid an NHS dental charge and later find you were entitled to free or reduced-cost treatment, NHSBSA says you can claim a refund, and you must claim within 3 months of paying. You apply using form HC5(D), by email or by post. NHSBSA's page on help with NHS dental costs has the form and the current instructions.

Five questions to ask before treatment starts

The NHS says the dental professional should tell you how much treatment will cost before they start. These questions make that conversation concrete.

1. Is this appointment NHS or private? The General Dental Council points out that it is possible to receive both NHS and private care in the same appointment, so it is worth confirming with the practice.
2. Which band does the treatment fall in, and what is the total charge?
3. Are there private alternatives, such as a white filling, and what would they cost? The choice is yours.
4. Do I qualify for free treatment, and what proof should I bring?
5. If I need more work, will it fall inside the same charge? (Remember the 2-month rule above.)

If you do not yet have a practice that takes NHS patients, our guide to finding an NHS dentist explains how to search and what to do if nobody has space. You can also browse practices by city or look at check-ups and hygiene appointments.

Not medical advice. This article is general information. It does not replace advice from a dentist or doctor about your own mouth, teeth or health. MyLocalDentists is independent and is not affiliated with the GDC, CQC or NHS. NHS charges checked against the NHS website and NHSBSA on 11 October 2026.