NHS dental charges are fixed at £27.90 for a Band 1 course of treatment from April 2026, and private dental plans help offset higher private fees. UK dental cover comes in three types: cash plans from Simplyhealth and Westfield Health, capitation plans such as Denplan, and insurance from Bupa and AXA, costing from around £5 to £50 a month.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 30 AUGUST 2026
- NHS Band 1 treatment is fixed at £27.90 from April 2026 (GOV.UK).
- Dental cover comes in three types: cash plans, capitation plans and insurance.
- Monthly costs run from around £5 (cash plans) to £50 (comprehensive insurance).
UK dental plan providers by type, 2026
| Provider | Plan type | From price and note |
| Westfield Health | Health cash plan | from £5 a month; claim back at any dentist |
| Simplyhealth | Health cash plan | from around £7 a month; NHS and private |
| Boots | Health cash plan | from around £8 a month |
| WPA | Cash plan and insurance | from £12 a month |
| AXA | Dental insurance | from around £10 a month |
| Bupa | Dental insurance | from £14 a month; 50 to 80 per cent up to an annual limit |
| Denplan | Capitation plan | from £13 a month; tied to one practice |
Source: Provider published pricing, 2026
KEY FACTS
- NHS Band 1 dental treatment is fixed at £27.90 from April 2026 (GOV.UK).
- NHS Band 2 is £76.60 and Band 3 is £332.10 (GOV.UK).
- Dental cover comes in three types: cash plans, capitation plans and insurance.
- Monthly premiums run from around £5 (Westfield Health) to £50 (comprehensive insurance).
- Denplan is a payment plan rather than regulated insurance; only its emergency add on is FCA regulated.
NHS dental charges and plan types
| Item | Figure or basis | Note |
| NHS Band 1 (check up) | £27.90 | Examination, advice, scale and polish |
| NHS Band 2 (fillings) | £76.60 | Fillings, extractions, root canal |
| NHS Band 3 (crowns, dentures) | £332.10 | Crowns, dentures, bridges |
| Cash plan | Claim a percentage back | Any dentist, up to annual limits |
| Capitation (Denplan) | Fixed fee to your practice | Tied to one dentist |
| Insurance (Bupa, AXA) | Percentage up to a limit | Usually after a waiting period |
Source: GOV.UK NHS dental charges, from April 2026
Three different products sold as dental cover
The label dental cover hides three genuinely different products. A health cash plan, from Simplyhealth, Westfield Health and WPA, pays back a percentage of costs at any dentist up to an annual limit and starts from around £5 a month. A capitation plan, chiefly Denplan, is a fixed monthly fee paid to your own practice that covers agreed routine and restorative treatment, but ties you to that dentist. Dental insurance, from Bupa and AXA, reimburses a percentage of private treatment, typically 50 to 80 per cent, up to an annual limit, usually after a waiting period.
How the costs compare
NHS treatment remains the cheapest route where you can register, with fixed charges of £27.90 for a Band 1 course, £76.60 for Band 2 and £332.10 for Band 3 from April 2026. Private plans run from around £5 to £50 a month. A simple test decides value: if your annual private dental spend is higher than 12 times the monthly premium, a plan is likely to save money. Cash plans suit NHS users offsetting band charges, while capitation and insurance suit regular private patients.
What to check before buying
Almost all plans exclude cosmetic treatment such as whitening, veneers and orthodontics, and many cap or exclude implants. Insurance plans usually apply a two to three month qualifying period before you can claim, so buying after a problem arises does not help. Denplan is a payment plan rather than a regulated insurance policy, with only its emergency and injury add on FCA regulated, which is worth knowing when comparing it against Bupa or AXA insurance.
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is NHS dental treatment
NHS charges are fixed at £27.90 for a Band 1 course, £76.60 for Band 2 and £332.10 for Band 3 from April 2026, wherever you are treated in England.
What are the types of dental cover
Three types: health cash plans (Simplyhealth, Westfield Health) that pay back a percentage at any dentist, capitation plans (Denplan) tied to one practice, and insurance (Bupa, AXA) that reimburses a percentage up to a limit.
How much does dental cover cost
Plans run from around £5 a month for a basic cash plan to £50 a month for comprehensive insurance, depending on the provider and level of cover.
Is Denplan insurance
Denplan is a payment plan arranged with your dentist rather than a regulated insurance policy. Only its emergency and injury add on is FCA regulated insurance.
Is dental insurance worth it
A rough test: if your annual private dental spend is higher than 12 times the monthly premium, a plan is likely to save money. Cosmetic treatment is excluded across the market.
SOURCES
- NHS: understanding dental charges – accessed 30 August 2026
- GOV.UK: NHS dental charges – accessed 30 August 2026
