Which dental treatments are available on the NHS?

All treatment that is, in your dentist's opinion, clinically necessary to protect and maintain good oral health is available on the NHS. This means the NHS provides any treatment that you need to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy and free of pain, including:

  • dentures
  • crowns
  • bridges

Dental implants and orthodontic treatment, such as braces, are available on the NHS, but only if there's a medical need for the treatment.

Charges for NHS dental treatment

There are three charge bands for all NHS dental treatments. For information on charges for NHS dental treatment, see:

Cosmetic dental treatment

NHS dental treatment does not include cosmetic treatments that are not clinically necessary, such as teeth whitening. Cosmetic treatments like this are used to improve the appearance of your teeth and make them look more attractive, and are only available privately.

If you're interested in having any cosmetic dental treatments, you should ask your dentist how much private treatment will cost. Charges for any private treatment will be added to the charges for your NHS treatment.

Read the answers to more questions about dental health.

Further information:

Page last reviewed: 03/04/2024

Next review due: 03/04/2024