Understanding NHS dental charges, exemptions and finding a dentist
How much does dental care cost?
From 01 April NHS Dental Charges have increased by 2.3%. This brings the charges for the NHS bands to:
Band 1: £27.40
Band 2: £75.30
Band 3: £326.70
Urgent dental treatment: £27.40
A routine examination, which includes diagnosis, advice, a scale and polish and some preventative care if clinically needed, costs £27.40. However, if you require further dental treatment, this will be an additional cost. The Local Dental Committee has further information on NHS dental charges. To find out more, contact them on 0300 140 0024 or at contact@ldc.org.uk.
It’s also important to remember that there is variation within the treatment bands. For instance, patients that require extensive scaling and polishing such as in the case of gum disease might be charged under Band 2 instead of Band 1. Find out more about NHS dental charges here.
Eligibility for free NHS dental treatments
The criteria for NHS dental charge exemptions have changed, so it’s important to check whether you’re still eligible. If you claim an exemption you're not entitled to, even if it’s by accident, you could face a penalty.
From 05 April, tax credit payments from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have ended. This means that people with a tax credit exemption certificate can no longer automatically qualify for free NHS dental care. People on tax credits should have transitioned to Universal Credit from 05 April and must meet new Universal Credit criteria to be exempt from NHS dental charges as explained in the document “claiming free NHS dental care“.
To be eligible for free NHS dental treatments in England, one of the following criteria must be met:
- You are under 18 years old
- You are aged 18 years old and in full-time education
- You are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
- You get Universal Credit and have earned less than £435 in your last assessment period
- You get Universal Credit which includes support for a child, or a limited capability for work and earned less than £935 in your last assessment period
- You get Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- You have a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
Finding an NHS dentist near you
To find a dentist near you, use this NHS tool which provides information on dental practices currently accepting new patients, whether they offer urgent appointments, how others have rated the service as well as their contact details if you would more information. You can also visit a dentist outside your local area if it's more convenient. For example, if you prefer to see a dentist near where you work.
Residents in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea can arrange for a dentist to visit their home if they are unable to visit the practice. To request this, speak to your GP or dentist first, who will send a referral to the Dental Referral Management Centre, located at the Soho Centre for Health. You can contact them by calling 020 7534 6525.
To check whether your NHS dentist is qualified, visit the General Dental Council (GDC) register, which is the regulatory body for the profession and it has a list of all qualified dentists in the UK.
If you need help finding an NHS dentist taking on new patients, get in touch with us and we can provide more information about local services.
What to do if you have a dental emergency
If you need immediate care for your teeth, you should:
- Ask your regular dentist whether they can offer an emergency appointment.
- Phone NHS 111 who can locate an urgent dental service.
- Visit A&E if you experience severe pain, heavy bleeding, or injuries to the face, mouth or teeth.
What to do if you’re unhappy with your NHS dentist
If you would like to complain about your treatment, please visit our advice on making a complaint. You can also check out advice from the Oral Health Foundation.
