NHS Dental Charges

From 1st April 2012

When you receive treatment from your dentist on the NHS, you will be asked to pay a charge for the course of treatment you receive, unless you are exempt from paying.  There are three separate rates that you can be charged, depending on what treatment is needed. However you should only pay one of the charges listed below for each course of treatment, even if it takes more than one appointment to complete it.

Band 1 course of treatment – £17.50

This covers an examination, diagnosis (e.g. x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed and an application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealants.

Band 2 course of treatment – £48.00

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.

Band 3 course of treatment – £209.00

This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures or bridges.

Urgent treatment and out of hours care will also cost – £17.50 - Urgent treatment, when you need to see a dentist immediately, costs the same as a Band 1 course of treatment.

These are the only dental charges your dentist should ask you to pay when you are having NHS treatment.

The only people, who are exempt from paying NHS dental charges, must fall into the following criteria:

• Children under 18 years of age 
• Young people under the age of 19 still in full time education
• Women who are pregnant or have a child under 12 months of age
• If you are an NHS inpatient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital  dentist 
• Those receiving Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Those receiving Income Support
• Those receiving Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• If you are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit,
• If  you are named on, or entitled to an NHS Working Tax Credit exemption certificate
• If you are named on a valid HC2 certificate.
• If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate, you may be eligible for partial help with dental costs.
   

You will be required to confirm your exemption by signing a form and showing the dentist written proof of your entitlement. If you tell the dentist you are exempt, but are not entitled to free treatment then you may incur a penalty charge as checks are made on all claims for free treatment. 

There is no charge for the dentist to remove stitches or repair a denture which was made on the NHS.

Any treatment that your dentist decides is clinically necessary to keep your mouth healthy should be available under the NHS.

Sometimes your dentist may need to refer you to another dentist for a specific treatment and this may incur a second charge.

• Or visit the NHS choices website at www.nhs.uk  for more information or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647