Dental Costs in the UK: Complete Price Guide
Understanding dental costs can help you budget for treatment and choose between NHS and private care. This guide covers everything from routine check-ups to complex procedures.
NHS Dental Charges (England)
NHS dental treatment in England is organised into three price bands. You pay one charge per course of treatment, regardless of how many appointments or procedures you need within that course.
Examination, diagnosis and advice
- Check-up and examination
- X-rays if needed
- Scale and polish if clinically needed
- Advice on how to prevent future problems
- Referral to a specialist if needed
Treatment such as fillings, extractions and root canal
- Everything in Band 1
- Fillings (amalgam or composite)
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth extractions
- Gum disease treatment
Crowns, dentures, bridges and other complex treatment
- Everything in Bands 1 and 2
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Bridges
- Other laboratory-made items
NHS vs Private Dental Prices
The private figures below are not estimates. They are medians of the fees actually published by UK dental practices — 40,632 prices collected across 1,183 towns and cities. The low–high column shows the 10th to 90th percentile, so it reflects what most people pay rather than the cheapest and most expensive outliers.
| Treatment | NHS charge | Private median | Typical range | Prices seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New patient examination | £27.90 (Band 1) | £77 | £50 – £120 | 3,728 |
| Routine check-up | £27.90 (Band 1) | £60 | £40 – £83 | 3,878 |
| Scale and polish | Inc. in Band 1 | £70 | £40 – £100 | 1,555 |
| Hygienist appointment (30 min) | Not available | £80 | £60 – £105 | 3,009 |
| Dental X-ray | Inc. in Band 1 | £15 | £9 – £25 | 3,105 |
| White (composite) filling | £76.60 (Band 2) | £150 | £90 – £217 | 4,264 |
| Simple extraction | £76.60 (Band 2) | £154 | £90 – £250 | 3,848 |
| Root canal treatment | £76.60 (Band 2) | £450 | £248 – £783 | 3,866 |
| Porcelain crown | £332.10 (Band 3) | £720 | £461 – £995 | 4,028 |
| Home teeth whitening | Not available | £378 | £275 – £500 | 3,902 |
| Single tooth implant | Not available | £2,500 | £1,475 – £3,300 | 3,053 |
| Invisalign / clear aligners | Not available | £2,968 | £1,500 – £4,200 | 2,396 |
NHS charges are the fixed statutory rates for England and apply wherever you are treated. Private fees vary by practice — always ask for a written treatment plan with costs before starting.
Who Qualifies for Free NHS Dental Treatment?
Children & Young People
Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
Pregnant Women
During pregnancy and for 12 months after giving birth (with maternity exemption certificate)
Benefits Recipients
Those receiving Income Support, Universal Credit (with nil income), Pension Credit Guarantee, or ESA (income-related)
Low Income
People with an NHS Low Income Scheme certificate (HC2 for full help, HC3 for partial help)
How to Save Money on Dental Treatment
1. Prevention is Key
Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene prevent costly treatments. Brush twice daily, floss, and limit sugary foods to avoid fillings and extractions.
2. Find an NHS Dentist
NHS treatment is significantly cheaper than private. Use the NHS website to find dentists accepting new NHS patients in your area.
3. Consider Dental Plans
Monthly payment plans like Denplan spread costs and often include check-ups and hygienist visits, making budgeting easier.
4. Check Your Eligibility
Many people qualify for free or reduced-cost NHS treatment. Apply for an HC2 or HC3 certificate if you're on a low income.
5. Get Multiple Quotes
For expensive private treatment, get quotes from several dentists. Prices can vary significantly, especially in different regions.
6. Dental Schools
Dental schools offer reduced-price treatment by supervised students. Treatment takes longer but quality is assured by qualified supervisors.
Dental Prices by City
NHS charges are the same everywhere in England, but private fees are not. These are median published prices in the 20 UK cities where we track the most practices. A dash means too few practices in that city publish a price for that treatment to give a meaningful median.
| City | Check-up | White filling | Root canal | Crown | Implant | Practices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £64 | £150 | £500 | £765 | £2,225 | 1,327 |
| Glasgow | £45 | £106 | £280 | £548 | £2,500 | 247 |
| Birmingham | £50 | £150 | £440 | £695 | £2,500 | 181 |
| Manchester | £55 | £150 | £455 | £699 | £2,500 | 177 |
| Bristol | £63 | £141 | £412 | £790 | £2,800 | 140 |
| Leeds | £60 | £147 | £430 | £700 | £2,800 | 136 |
| Nottingham | £60 | £148 | £462 | £698 | £2,833 | 120 |
| Liverpool | £60 | £150 | £462 | £750 | £1,955 | 113 |
| Edinburgh | £67 | £128 | £400 | £635 | £2,550 | 108 |
| Sheffield | £68 | £144 | £424 | £748 | £2,750 | 99 |
| Leicester | £52 | £150 | £457 | £600 | £2,648 | 97 |
| Belfast | £40 | £90 | £278 | £549 | £2,450 | 88 |
| Southampton | £55 | £150 | £450 | £774 | £2,500 | 81 |
| Cardiff | £62 | £125 | £395 | £650 | £2,500 | 72 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | £60 | £150 | £375 | £695 | £2,500 | 69 |
| Reading | £58 | £150 | £600 | £800 | £2,650 | 58 |
| Norwich | £65 | £164 | £525 | £750 | £2,500 | 54 |
| Peterborough | £59 | £150 | £499 | £670 | £2,700 | 52 |
| York | £64 | £160 | £575 | £750 | £2,925 | 51 |
| Brighton | £58 | £123 | £425 | £600 | £2,061 | 51 |
Medians of fees published by practices in each city. Click a city to compare individual practices and see who lists prices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Costs
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