NHS Dental Charges Explained (2025): What Each Band Covers in England

If it’s been a while since you have accessed NHS care, you might be wondering about the latest charges and what you can expect for each band. As you may remember, NHS treatment is available in three bands.

When you have treatment on the NHS, you’ll pay once for the treatment in the highest band. This helps to keep dentistry accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. Some people in receipt of certain benefits will also be able to access free care on the NHS.

NHS treatment bands explained

NHS dental care is split into three bands. Let’s explore each band in more detail.

Band 1 – £27.40

This band will include:

- A routine dental checkup

- X-rays, if clinically required

- Fluoride treatment

- A scale and polish, if clinically required

- Taking moulds of your teeth to examine your bite

- Minimal adjustments to dentures or orthodontics

A full scale and polish may be available if you have gum disease that warrants this treatment. If your treatment is more complex, it may be classed as a band 2 treatment. If your dentist does not think this treatment is clinically necessary, you’ll have to pay for this treatment privately.

Band 2 – 75.30

In the more advanced treatment bracket, you might have the following care:

- Filings (dark amalgam for back teeth and white for front teeth)

- Root canal treatment

- Extractions and oral surgery

- Sealant for small holes or grooves in your teeth

- Adding to dentures, or making extensive adjustments

- A bite-raising appliance to address you bite

- More extensive gum disease treatment and management

When it comes to fillings, white fillings may be possible if this is considered clinically necessary, such as for the front teeth. For rear molars, you are more likely to be offered dark amalgam fillings, but you are able to pay to upgrade to private treatment.

For root canal treatment and extractions (including wisdom teeth) your dentist may be able to offer this treatment as an NHS treatment if the case is quite simple. For more complex care, you are more likely to be referred to another service.

Band 3 – £326.70

Treatment in this band will include:

- Crowns to protect your teeth

- Inlays and onlays for damaged teeth

- Dentures

- Bridges

- Orthodontic treatment

- Custom-made appliances, but not including sports mouth guards

When it comes to NHS orthodontics, this is only available for teens up to the age of 18, or 19 in full-time education. They will have to meet the medical requirements for treatment.

The choice of materials for restorative treatments like bridges and crowns will be limited compared to those available with private treatment.

Cost of follow-up treatment

You’ll pay once for the highest level of treatment received during your treatment plan. This will also cover the cost of follow-up treatment for up to two months after your initial treatment. If the follow-up treatment is in a higher payment band, you’ll only pay the difference to the next band.

For example, if you have a root canal treatment and then follow up with a crown to protect the tooth, you’ll have to pay the band three payment once to cover all of the treatment. You won’t pay for band two and band three.

If you’re looking for a new NHS dentist in Hounslow, get in touch with our team today.