Last reviewed: May 2026
Key facts:- NHS dental charges in England are set in three bands: Band 1 (examination, diagnosis), Band 2 (fillings, root canal, extractions), and Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges).
- The 2024/25 charges were Band 1 around 26.80 pounds, Band 2 around 73.50 pounds, and Band 3 around 319.10 pounds; the 2026/27 figures are confirmed in the annual uprating.
- NHS dental treatment is free for under-18s, pregnant women, certain benefit recipients, and HC2 certificate holders.
NHS and Health Costs Guide › Nhs Dental Charges Uk 2026
NHS dental charges in England follow a three-band system that has been in place since 2006. The bands are uprated each year, with the new figures confirmed in the annual NHS Dental Charges Regulations amendments. This upgraded guide explains the 2026 bands, who is exempt from charges, how the devolved nations handle dental costs differently, and what to do if a charge looks wrong.
The Three Bands in Detail
Band 1 covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if clinically necessary, application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant, and other preventive measures. The 2024/25 Band 1 charge was 26.80 pounds.
Band 2 covers everything in Band 1 plus additional treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment, extractions and treatment of gum disease. The 2024/25 Band 2 charge was 73.50 pounds.
Band 3 covers everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus more complex treatment such as crowns, dentures, bridges and orthodontic appliances. The 2024/25 Band 3 charge was 319.10 pounds. Each band is a flat fee for all treatment in that band during a single course of treatment.
Who Is Exempt from NHS Dental Charges
Free NHS dental treatment in England is available to under-18s and to people aged 18 in full-time education. Pregnant women and women who have given birth in the previous 12 months are entitled with a Maternity Exemption Certificate (MatEx).
Adults on certain qualifying benefits are entitled to free treatment. These include Income Support, income-based Jobseeker Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, and Universal Credit where the household meets specific income criteria.
Patients with the NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 certificate get full help with NHS dental costs. The HC3 certificate provides partial help, with the level of help printed on the certificate. Applications for HC2 or HC3 are made on form HC1, available from pharmacies and online from the NHSBSA.
Annual Uprating
NHS dental charges are normally uprated each April. The uprating is set out in amendments to the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005. The amounts are confirmed in a statutory instrument laid before Parliament.
Uprating is not directly linked to CPI inflation; the government takes a policy decision each year. In some recent years the uprating has been above general inflation, reflecting the financial pressures on the NHS dental contract.
The 2026/27 figures take effect in April 2026 once the statutory instrument has been made. The figures are published on gov.uk and on the NHSBSA website at the start of the new financial year.
Devolved Nation Rules
Wales has lower NHS dental charges than England. The Welsh Government sets a separate banded system, with charges that have historically been around 70 to 80 per cent of the English equivalents. The bands and amounts are set out in regulations made by Welsh Ministers.
Scotland abolished most NHS dental examination charges in 2021, with most adult check-ups now free. Restorative treatment (fillings, root canal, dentures, crowns) still attracts a charge, but the charges are set under a separate Scottish framework different from England.
Northern Ireland operates a fee-per-item system rather than the English banded system. Each treatment has its own fee, with the patient paying 80 per cent of the cost up to a defined maximum. The maximum charge is uprated each year.
Disputed Charges and Refunds
Charges may be disputed where the patient believes they were charged in the wrong band, where the treatment did not happen as described, or where they were entitled to an exemption that was not recognised.
The first step in disputing a charge is to talk to the practice. The dentist may be able to correct an error or explain why the band applied. If the practice does not resolve the issue, the patient can complain to the NHS Business Services Authority or to the local Integrated Care Board.
NHSBSA can issue refunds where evidence supports the dispute. Applications for refund of charges paid in error are made using form FP64. The NHSBSA also runs the prescription and dental charges enforcement programme that recovers fraudulent or incorrect claims for free treatment.
When NHS Treatment is Free and How to Prove It
Free under-18s. Children under 18 receive free NHS dental treatment automatically. Proof of age (passport, birth certificate, school ID) may be requested for older children whose age is not obvious.
Free with MatEx. Pregnant women and women who have given birth in the previous 12 months get free treatment with a MatEx certificate. The certificate is issued through the GP or midwife and is valid for the relevant 12-month period.
Free with MedEx. People with certain listed medical conditions (diabetes, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, etc.) get free treatment with a MedEx certificate. The condition list is set out in the NHS Charges Regulations. The certificate is issued through the GP using form FP92A.
Free on Universal Credit. Universal Credit recipients meeting specific earnings and household criteria qualify for free dental treatment. The criteria depend on whether the household has children, whether there is a partner, and the earnings level. The HC2 / HC3 route is the alternative for lower-income households not meeting the UC criteria.
Where to Get Free Independent Help
NHS 111 is the urgent care service that can advise on nhs dental charges and arrange appointments where needed. The service operates 24 hours a day, every day, by phone (111) and online at nhs.uk/111. It triages calls and refers to the appropriate service - GP, pharmacist, urgent treatment centre or hospital.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers the NHS Low Income Scheme, Prescription Prepayment Certificates and other NHS cost-related schemes. The NHSBSA contact centre and online services handle applications, certificate issuance and refunds.
Healthwatch is the independent statutory champion for patients and the public in health and social care. Each local Healthwatch can help with concerns about NHS services and provides information about local providers. The Healthwatch website at healthwatch.co.uk lists local services.
The Patients Association is a charity that supports patient experience and rights. It provides free advice on NHS access, complaints procedures and rights under the NHS Constitution. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is the final escalation for unresolved NHS complaints.
NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) commission most NHS services in England under the Health and Care Act 2022. The ICB customer contact team handles concerns about local NHS service access. The gov.uk find your ICB service identifies the right ICB for any area.
For specific conditions, charities such as Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and the Alzheimer Society provide condition-specific advice on accessing NHS services and managing the condition. The condition-specific charity websites often have the most detailed and up-to-date guidance.
Putting It All Together
The rules above set out the legal framework, the practical steps and the support routes available. Where the situation is straightforward, the gov.uk pages and the official tools should be enough to act on. Where the situation is more complex, the free advice services listed in the previous section can usually clarify the position and identify the right next step. Many issues that look intractable at first turn out to be resolvable once the right service is engaged.
Keeping written records of communications and decisions throughout is good practice. Where a decision needs to be challenged later - through an internal complaint, an ombudsman, a tribunal or a court - the quality of the contemporaneous record often decides the outcome. Dates, names, reference numbers and copies of correspondence are the building blocks of any later dispute. The gov.uk advice pages and the relevant ombudsman or tribunal websites all set out the evidence they consider when reviewing decisions, and gathering that evidence from the start is one of the most effective protections available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Band 1 NHS dental check-up?
The 2024/25 Band 1 charge in England was 26.80 pounds. The 2026/27 figure is confirmed in the annual uprating regulations and published on gov.uk and NHSBSA.
Are children free at the NHS dentist?
Yes. Under-18s and 18-year-olds in full-time education receive free NHS dental treatment. Free treatment continues throughout the dental course of treatment, including any additional bands.
Is dentistry free in Scotland and Wales?
Scotland abolished most NHS dental check-up charges in 2021 but restorative treatment still attracts a charge. Wales has lower charges than England under a separate banded system.
How do I get an HC2 certificate?
Apply on form HC1, available from pharmacies and online from NHSBSA. The form asks for income and household details. Eligible applicants receive HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificates.
What if I am charged for treatment my exemption covers?
Use form FP64 to apply to NHSBSA for a refund. Take evidence of the exemption, the receipt for the charge, and a brief explanation of why the charge was wrong.
Can I be fined for claiming free treatment incorrectly?
Yes. NHSBSA runs an enforcement programme that recovers incorrect claims and can issue penalty notices up to 100 pounds plus the original charge. Anyone unsure of their entitlement should check before signing the exemption tick box on the FP17 form.
Do I need to bring evidence of exemption?
Yes. The practice asks for evidence. Acceptable evidence includes the benefit award letter, the HC2/HC3 certificate, the MatEx or MedEx certificate. Without evidence, the charge is payable up front and a refund can be claimed later through NHSBSA form FP64.
What is an FP17 form?
The FP17 is the claim form used by NHS dentists to bill the NHS for treatment. The patient ticks the exemption box if they are claiming free treatment. False ticking is a criminal offence and can lead to a penalty notice.
Can I be fined for ticking the wrong exemption box?
Yes. NHSBSA runs an enforcement programme. Incorrect exemption claims can result in penalty notices up to 100 pounds plus the original charge. Anyone uncertain of their entitlement should check before signing the FP17.
Are private dentists more expensive than NHS?
Generally yes, although the gap varies by procedure. Routine check-ups can be similar; complex restorative treatment is usually more expensive privately. Private treatment offers more choice of materials and faster appointments.
How We Verified This
Information is taken from the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005 (as amended) on legislation.gov.uk, the gov.uk NHS dental charges pages, the NHSBSA dental charges guidance, the Welsh Government dental charges pages, and the Scottish Government health pages.
