This section explains when patients are entitled to free NHS dental care. NHS dental charges depend on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.
You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.
If you are referred to another dentist for another, separate course of treatment, you can expect a second charge. Some minor treatments are free.
Find more guidance under NHS dental services explained.
The NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) may provide partial help with the cost of your dental care for those who don't qualify for full help but still have a low income.
Detailed information is also provided on the NHS Business Services Authority website.
Follow the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) on Facebook or Twitter to get NHS BSA latest updates and answers to your questions about help with health costs.
If you wrongly make a claim for a dental charge, you may be sent a penalty charge notice. You would have to pay the cost of the dental charge, plus a penalty charge of up to £100. You may also be prosecuted for an offence that can lead to a criminal record.
For more information, see Paying NHS charges.
NHS dental charges
Band 1 course of treatment – £20.60
This covers examinations, diagnosis (including radiographs), advice on how to prevent future problems, scale and polish if clinically necessary, and preventative care (for example, applications of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant).
Urgent dental treatment – £20.60
This band covers emergency care, such as pain relief or a temporary filling, in a primary care dental practice. Find out more about dental emergency and out-of-hours care.
Band 2 course of treatment – £56.30
This covers everything listed in Band 1, plus any further treatment, such as fillings, root canal work, or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
Band 3 course of treatment – £244.30
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures, bridges and other laboratory work.
Learn more about understanding NHS dental charges.
Who is entitled to free dental care?
If one or more of the criteria listed below applies to you when your treatment starts, you will be entitled to free NHS dental care.
You are entitled if you are:
- aged under 18, or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education
- pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months
- staying in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
- an NHS hospital dental service outpatient – however, you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges
You are also entitled if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
If you're entitled to or named on:
- a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you don't have a certificate, you can show your award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both) and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
- a valid HC2 certificate
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.
You will not be exempt from paying because you receive Incapacity Benefit, contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit Savings Credit, when paid on their own.
Medical conditions do not exempt patients from payment for dental treatment. You will be asked to show your dentist written proof that you do not have to pay for all or part of your NHS treatment. You will also be asked to sign a form to confirm that you do not have to pay.
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