How much does the dentist cost in 2026?
On the NHS in England a check up and routine care is £27.90, fillings and extractions £76.60, and crowns or dentures £332.10. Privately a check up is typically £65 and rises from there. Here is the whole picture, with the NHS price next to the private one.
NHS dentist charges
NHS prices are set by the government and are the same at every NHS practice in England. You pay one charge per course of treatment, at the highest band needed.
| Band | Charge | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Examination, diagnosis, advice, X rays, scale and polish if clinically needed, preventive care |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Everything in Band 1 plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions, sealants |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, dentures, bridges, inlays, orthodontics |
| Urgent | £27.90 | Emergency assessment and treatment to deal with the immediate problem |
How the bands and courses of treatment work
What a check up costs
A routine NHS check up is a Band 1 charge, £27.90, covering the examination, X rays if needed, and a scale and polish where clinically needed. If the dentist finds work that needs doing, it rolls into one higher band charge for the course, not a separate fee for the check up. Privately a check up is typically £65, though many practices fold it into a monthly plan instead.
Private treatment prices
The most common treatments, with the NHS band alongside. Full table on the private prices page.
| Treatment | Low | Typical | High | NHS option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check up (examination) | £23 | £65 | £180 | Band 1, £27.90 |
| Hygienist (scale and polish) | £40 | £83 | £170 | Band 1, £27.90 |
| White (composite) filling | £75 | £150 | £280 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Tooth extraction (simple) | £90 | £160 | £292 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Root canal treatment | £179 | £450 | £900 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Crown | £350 | £720 | £995 | Band 3, £332.10 |
| Dentures | £290 | £750 | £1,593 | Band 3, £332.10 |
Private figures: national low, median and high from a survey of 2,000+ UK practices (treatcompare.com, March 2026); composite bonding and emergency appointment from dentistcost.co.uk guideline ranges (September 2026). London typically runs 25 to 40% above the median.
Compare any treatment, NHS vs private
Who pays nothing
You pay no NHS dental charges at all if you are under 18, under 19 and in full time education, pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months, or receive Universal Credit (within the earnings limit), Pension Credit guarantee credit, Income Support, income based JSA or ESA, or hold an HC2 certificate. Full list and how to claim.
Common questions
How much is a dentist check up in the UK?
On the NHS a check up is Band 1, £27.90, or free if you are exempt. Privately it is typically £65, with a national range of £23 to £180.
How much does an NHS dentist cost?
You pay one charge for a whole course of treatment, at the highest band needed: Band 1 £27.90, Band 2 £76.60 or Band 3 £332.10 in England from 1 April 2026. Urgent treatment is £27.90.
Is an NHS dental check up free?
Only if you are exempt: under 18, under 19 in full time education, pregnant or with a baby under 12 months, or on qualifying benefits. Everyone else pays the £27.90 Band 1 charge.
How much is the dentist without insurance?
You do not need insurance for NHS treatment; you simply pay the band charge. For private care, most people spread the cost with a membership plan at £15 to £30 a month rather than paying per visit.
Dental plans and insurance
If you pay for private dentistry, a dental plan (Denplan, Bupa, Simplyhealth and others) spreads the cost monthly and usually covers check ups and hygienist visits. Compare what is actually included before signing; most exclude cosmetic work.
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