If you pay for NHS dental treatment, there are three standard charges.
The amount you pay depends on the treatment you might need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
All charges apply to an overall course of treatment, and not the individual items within the course of treatment.
You will only pay one charge for each course of treatment - even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.
If you need more treatment within the same charge band (for example, an additional filling) within two months of completing a course of treatment, you do not have to pay anything extra.
From 1 April 2008 you pay one of the following three charges:
Band 1 course of treatment
£16.20 - This covers an examination, diagnosis (eg: x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, and a scale and polish if needed. Urgent treatment when you need to see a dentist immediately also costs £16.20.
OR
Band 2 course of treatment
£44.60 - This covers everything listed in Band 1, above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
OR
Band 3 course of treatment
£198 -This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures or bridges. These are the only dental charges your dentist should ask you to pay when you are having NHS treatment.
| Example courses of treatment |
|
Total cost |
| Examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice |
|
£16.20 |
| Examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice and one or more fillings |
|
£44.60 |
| Examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice, one or more fillings and one or more crowns |
|
£198.00 |
Note: you should ask your dentist how much your individual treatment plan will cost. The dental practice may ask you to pay before beginning your treatment.
There will be no charge for writing a prescription or for removing stitches. Usual charges apply when getting the prescription dispensed.
You will receive free services from your NHS dentist according to specific criteria. |
