NHS Services

NHS bands and treatments:

There are three bands of charges for all NHS dental treatments.

The current dental charges are:

Band 1 dental treatment: £27.40

Band 1 can include:

  • examination, assessment and advice (a routine dental appointment)
  • X-rays, if clinically needed
  • putting fluoride on the surface of your teeth
  • simple management of gum disease, such as scaling (a thorough clean of your teeth and gums), if clinically needed **
  • moulds of your teeth, for example to see how your teeth bite together
  • minimal adjustments to false teeth (dentures)

** A scale and polish is a routine dental cleaning procedure, and on the NHS, it's covered as part of a Band 1 treatment if it's deemed clinically necessary by a dentist. This means it's included in the standard check-up and examination. If a scale and polish is not clinically necessary, but you still desire one or wish to remove any stains, you would need to pay for it privately. 

Band 2 dental treatment: £75.30

Band 2 treatment includes all items in band 1, plus it may include:

  • fillings**
  • root canal treatment to treat an infection or inflammation in the centre of your tooth
  • removing teeth (extraction) and other oral surgery procedures
  • sealant to fill small holes or grooves in the teeth
  • adding to your false teeth (dentures), such as adding a clasp or a tooth, or making extensive adjustments, such as relining and rebasing
  • a bite-raising appliance to correct your bite (does not include a laboratory-made appliance)
  • extensive management of gum disease 

** White fillings are avaliable on the NHS when clinically necessary. For example, if you need a filling in your front teeth you may be given a white filling. If the filling is needed in one of your back teeth, a more effective option may be a silver-coloured (amalgam filling). 

If you would prefer a white filling, your dentist will be able to advise you on the private costs for these. 

Band 3 dental treatment: £326.70

Band 3 treatment includes all items in bands 1 and 2, plus it may include:

  • a type of cap that covers your real tooth (crown)**
  • restoring damaged teeth with inlays and onlays
  • false teeth (dentures)
  • a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth (bridge)**
  • other custom-made appliannces, not including sports guards
  ** You may be offered a metal-coloured crown on a back tooth. You can discuss alternative options which are available privately with your dentist. 
 
Urgent dental treatment: £27.40
 
Urgent treatment can include:
  • examination, assessment and advice
  • x-rays
  • dressing of a tooth (temporary filling)
  • emergency partial root canal treatment, for example, pulpectomy or vital pulpotomy
  • management of a knocked-out tooth or any necessary treatment needed for an injury
  • recementing inlays, crowns and bridges
  • aftercare including treatment for infections 
  • adjustment of false teeth 
 
Excemption from NHS dental patient charges
 
Some people can get free NHS dental appointments and treatment or only need to pay part of the cost. Please see https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-can-get-free-nhs-dental-treatment/ to find out if you are entitled to free treatment. 
All patient's will be asked to sign a form stating which excemption they are on and this is the patient's responsibility. If the wrong excemption has been marked down or the patient has claimed for free treatment when they are not entitled to it then they will be fined by the NHS. We would always advise patient's to 'check before they tick' if they are unsure. The 'check before you tick' link can be found here https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/dont-get-caught-out-penalty-charges/check-you-tick