Calculate NHS dental charges for England 2025/26. Find Band 1, 2, and 3 treatment costs and whether you qualify for free NHS dentistry.
NHS dental charges in England for 2025/26 are: Band 1 (examination, X-rays, scale and polish) — £26.80; Band 2 (fillings, extractions, root canal treatment) — £73.50; Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges, veneers) — £319.10. You pay a single charge per course of treatment, regardless of how many procedures are performed within that band.
Free NHS dental treatment in England is available to: children under 18 (or under 19 in full-time education); pregnant women and those who have given birth in the past 12 months; people receiving Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income-related ESA/JSA; NHS Low Income Scheme (HC1/HC2 certificate) holders; patients in NHS hospitals.
Band 2 includes any treatment that requires more than a basic examination, including: tooth fillings (amalgam or composite), root canal treatment, tooth extractions, and scaling/polishing that requires treatment (not just maintenance). You pay just £73.50 for all Band 2 work in a single course of treatment, no matter how many fillings or extractions are needed.
No — dental charges vary across the UK. In Scotland, all NHS dental treatment is free for all registered patients (as of April 2023). In Wales, NHS dental charges were abolished for all patients from September 2006 — all NHS dental treatment in Wales is free. In Northern Ireland, charges broadly match England. Only England retains the three-band charging system.
If you are on a low income but do not qualify for automatic exemption, apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme (Form HC1) via any NHS dental practice or jobcentre. If granted an HC2 certificate, you will pay no NHS dental charges. Emergency dental treatment for pain relief is available through NHS 111 (call 111) if you cannot find an NHS dentist.