NHS dental treatment: What you can get for free and what costs extra

When you need a dentist in the UK, NHS dental treatment, the publicly funded dental care system available to residents who meet eligibility rules. Also known as NHS dental services, it covers everything from check-ups and fillings to extractions and dentures—but not everything is free. You don’t need insurance. You just need to be registered with an NHS dentist and meet the residency rules. But here’s the catch: not every dentist takes NHS patients anymore. Many have stopped accepting new NHS cases because the pay is too low and the workload too heavy. That means even if you’re eligible, finding a spot can be tough.

So what’s actually covered? NHS dental charges, the fixed fee bands set by the government for different levels of care are broken into three bands. Band 1 costs £26.80 and covers an exam, X-rays, and advice. Band 2, at £73.50, adds fillings, root canals, and simple extractions. Band 3, £319.10, covers more complex work like crowns, dentures, and bridges. These prices haven’t changed since 2022, even though inflation has. And yes, you pay per course of treatment, not per visit. That means if you need a filling and then a crown in the same course, you only pay the Band 3 fee. But if you go back six weeks later for another issue, you start a new course—and pay again.

Some people get free NHS dental treatment. If you’re under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant, or have had a baby in the last 12 months, you don’t pay. You also qualify if you or your partner get certain benefits like Income Support, Universal Credit (with specific earnings limits), or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. But if you’re working, even on a low wage, and don’t qualify for those benefits, you pay. No exceptions. That’s why many turn to private dental care UK, out-of-pocket dental services not covered by the NHS, often offering faster appointments and more options. Private dentists charge whatever they want—some charge £80 for a simple check-up, others £200. You get more choice, but you pay for it.

Emergency care is still available through the NHS. If you have severe pain, swelling, or bleeding that can’t wait, you can call NHS 111 or go to an urgent dental care center. They won’t turn you away. But don’t expect a full treatment plan. They’ll give you pain relief and maybe pull a tooth—but they won’t replace it. That’s where the system gets frustrating. You fix the emergency, but the underlying problem? That’s on you to sort out later, often at your own cost.

There’s no magic fix. The NHS dental system is stretched thin. Long waits, fewer providers, and outdated funding mean many people delay care until it’s an emergency. But knowing what’s covered, what it costs, and who qualifies helps you plan ahead. You can’t always avoid the bill—but you can avoid the shock.

Below, you’ll find real stories and breakdowns from people who’ve been through NHS dental treatment—what worked, what didn’t, and how they got the care they needed without going broke.