NHS vs Private Dentist Prices: What You Will Pay
NHS dental charges in England from 1 April 2026 are £27.90 for Band 1 (check-up, X-rays, scale and polish if clinically needed), £76.60 for Band 2 (adds fillings, root canals and extractions) and £332.10 for Band 3 (adds crowns, dentures and bridges). Private practices set their own fees: a private check-up is typically £59 from published prices.
How NHS bands work
You pay one charge per course of treatment, at the highest band the course needs. Urgent treatment costs the Band 1 rate. Some people are exempt, including under-18s, under-19s in full-time education, pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months, and people on certain benefits.
Private fees
Each practice sets its own prices and must give you clear information about costs before treatment. Many mixed practices offer both NHS and private care. Our price table shows what practices publish.
Questions
Do I have to register with a dentist?
No. In England you can contact any practice. Practices take NHS patients only when they have capacity.