NHS Dental Charge Bands Explained
NHS dental treatment in England is grouped into three charge bands. You pay a single fixed charge per course of treatment, not per individual procedure. Here is exactly what each band covers and how the banding system works in practice.
Updated 28 March 2026
How NHS Dental Banding Works
The band system is designed to make NHS dental costs predictable. Rather than charging per procedure, NHS dental treatment is grouped by complexity. One band charge covers everything needed in a single course of treatment at that band level.
A course of treatment means everything your dentist provides to deal with your dental health during a connected episode of care. This might span multiple appointments. If you need three fillings, two extractions, and a scale and polish all agreed at the same time, it is one Band 2 charge of £73.50, not six separate charges.
Band 1: £26.80
Band 1 is the entry-level NHS dental charge and covers all routine diagnostic and preventive work. This is the charge you pay for a standard dental check-up.
What Band 1 includes
- +Full dental examination and clinical assessment
- +Dental X-rays (as many as clinically needed)
- +Scale and polish, if clinically necessary
- +Preventive advice including brushing technique and diet guidance
- +Application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealants where appropriate
- +Referral to a specialist service if required
It is important to understand that a scale and polish is only included at Band 1 when your dentist judges it to be clinically necessary. If your teeth are clean and healthy, the dentist may not perform it. This is not the same as a cosmetic or routine polish you might expect at every appointment.
If your dentist discovers a problem during your Band 1 check-up and needs to treat it immediately, the charge upgrades automatically to the appropriate band. You do not pay Band 1 and then additionally pay for the treatment. The band that covers the highest level of care provided is the only charge applied.
Band 2: £73.50
Band 2 is the most commonly charged band for people who need active dental treatment. It covers the full range of standard restorative work and includes everything in Band 1.
What Band 2 includes
- +Everything included in Band 1
- +Fillings, including amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth-coloured)
- +Root canal treatment
- +Tooth extractions
- +Surgical extractions (wisdom teeth)
- +Gum disease treatment including deep cleaning (debridement)
- +Re-cementing of an existing crown that has fallen off
The key thing to understand about Band 2 is that one fixed charge of £73.50 covers all the Band 2 work needed in that course of treatment. If you need four fillings and two extractions, it is still £73.50 total. Patients often expect to pay per filling, which is why this surprises people when they learn it.
Three fillings, two extractions, and a root canal in the same treatment course all cost £73.50 combined.
A single composite filling privately costs £80 to £250. Three fillings could easily cost £300 to £700 at a private dentist.
Note that composite (tooth-coloured) fillings are available on the NHS on back teeth as standard from 2022. Previously, only amalgam was routinely available for back molars on the NHS. The NHS banned amalgam use in 2024, so all NHS fillings are now composite.
Band 3: £319.10
Band 3 covers the most complex dental work, including laboratory-made restorations. It is the highest NHS charge and includes everything from Bands 1 and 2.
What Band 3 includes
- +Everything included in Bands 1 and 2
- +Crowns (fitted to a natural tooth root)
- +Dental bridges (fixed false teeth anchored to adjacent teeth)
- +Full dentures (all teeth removed and replaced)
- +Partial dentures (replacing some missing teeth)
- +Veneers (in limited clinical circumstances only)
- +Inlays and onlays (laboratory-made fillings)
Band 3 is where the NHS represents the most significant saving versus private treatment. A single private dental crown typically costs between £400 and £1,000 depending on the practice and the material used. Under Band 3, one crown plus all other treatment needed in that course is covered for £319.10.
NHS veneers are only available in circumstances where there is a clinical need, such as following trauma or for specific developmental conditions. Cosmetic veneers to improve appearance without a clinical reason are not available on the NHS.
NHS dental implants are generally not available. The NHS provides dentures and bridges as alternatives. If you need a tooth replaced, the NHS will provide the most cost-effective clinical solution, which is typically a partial denture or bridge rather than an implant.
Urgent Treatment: £26.80
Urgent dental treatment is charged at the same rate as Band 1. It is intended for emergency care to relieve pain, not to complete a full course of treatment.
- +Emergency examination to assess dental pain or injury
- +Temporary fillings to relieve toothache
- +Tooth extraction in an emergency
- +Prescription for antibiotics or pain relief where needed
- +Treatment of a dental abscess
After urgent treatment, you will usually be referred back to your regular dentist to complete the course of care. Out-of-hours emergency dental treatment is accessed via NHS 111 and is charged at the same rate.
Band Comparison at a Glance
| Treatment type | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-up and X-rays | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scale and polish | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fillings | No | Yes | Yes |
| Extractions | No | Yes | Yes |
| Root canals | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crowns | No | No | Yes |
| Bridges | No | No | Yes |
| Dentures | No | No | Yes |
| Cost | £26.80 | £73.50 | £319.10 |
Common Questions About Bands
If my check-up leads to a filling, do I pay Band 1 and Band 2?
No. If a filling is needed during the same course of treatment as the check-up, you pay Band 2 (£73.50) only. The band automatically upgrades to cover the highest level of treatment needed. You never pay two bands for one course of care.
What counts as a new course of treatment?
A new course of treatment starts when you attend for a new reason, typically after a period of time has elapsed and your previous course is considered complete. If you finish treatment, then return two months later with a new problem, that is a new course and a new charge. If you are attending multiple times for ongoing treatment from the same visit, it is usually one course.
Are composite fillings on back teeth included in Band 2?
Yes. The NHS phased out dental amalgam use in 2024. All NHS fillings are now composite (tooth-coloured) regardless of which tooth is being treated. You do not need to pay privately to get a tooth-coloured filling on a back tooth.
Do NHS dental charges change each year?
Yes, NHS dental charges are reviewed periodically by NHS England. The current Band 1 charge is £26.80, Band 2 is £73.50, and Band 3 is £319.10, as of April 2024. Charges typically increase once a year, usually in April. Always confirm the current charge at your dental practice before treatment begins.
Do these charges apply in Scotland and Wales?
No. These charges apply in England only. Scotland provides free NHS dental treatment to all adults registered with an NHS dentist. Wales and Northern Ireland operate their own dental charge systems with different rates. If you are outside England, contact your local health service for the applicable charges.
NHS dental charges shown apply in England and are correct as of April 2024. Charges are reviewed annually by NHS England and are subject to change. Always confirm the current applicable charge with your dental practice before treatment. This page provides general information only and does not constitute clinical or financial advice.