Written by Christina Boman-Markaki, reviewed by the Find Care Compare team · Last updated October 2026
At a glance
- You pay one charge per course of treatment, set by the most complex treatment you need.
- From 1 April 2026: Band 1 £27.90, Band 2 £76.60, Band 3 £332.10, urgent treatment £27.90.
- If you need more treatment within 2 months in the same or a lower band, there's no extra charge.
- Treatment is free for under-18s, under-19s in full-time education, pregnant women and new mothers, and some benefit recipients.
- Paid when you were entitled to free treatment? Claim a refund with form HC5(D) within 3 months, by email to hc5refundquery@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
NHS dental treatment is not always free. Most adults pay NHS dental charges based on the type of treatment they need - and understanding how the band system works can help you avoid surprises.
This guide explains the three NHS dental bands, who qualifies for free dental treatment, and what to do if you think you have been charged incorrectly. It focuses on services available in England. Equivalent dental charge arrangements exist in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but costs and eligibility may differ. If you haven't seen an NHS dentist yet, find out how to register with a dentist first.
Learn more: register with an NHS dentist
| Band | Charge | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice. May also include X-rays, scale and polish, and a treatment plan. |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment, and tooth extractions. |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Everything in Band 1 and Band 2, plus crowns, dentures, and bridges. |
| Urgent treatment | £27.90 | Urgent treatment to relieve pain or stop a problem getting worse, even if it needs more than one visit. Further treatment may need a new course. |
How NHS dental charges work
The NHS uses a banded charge system. Rather than charging separately for each item, you pay a single NHS dental charge per course of treatment - set by whichever treatment in that course is the most complex.
A course of treatment covers everything your dentist has agreed you need. If you need further treatment within two months, you do not pay extra provided the further treatment falls within the same or a lower band. If the further treatment falls in a higher band, you pay the difference up to that band's charge.
There are three NHS dental bands, plus a separate charge for urgent treatment.
What each NHS dental band covers
Band 1: examination and prevention
Band 1 covers:
- a dental examination and assessment
- X-rays if clinically needed
- a scale and polish if clinically necessary
- advice on caring for your teeth and gums
- a treatment plan for any further work
You pay the Band 1 charge even if no further treatment is needed.
Band 2: routine treatment
Band 2 covers everything in Band 1, plus:
- fillings (white or amalgam)
- root canal treatment
- tooth extractions
- treatment for gum disease
- fissure sealants for children and some adults
If you need more than one filling in the same course of treatment, you still pay one Band 2 charge.
Band 3: complex treatment
Band 3 covers everything in Band 1 and Band 2, plus:
- crowns
- bridges
- dentures (full or partial)
- inlays and veneers (where clinically justified)
Want to find a dentist that offers the treatment you need?
Compare NHS and private dentists near you and see which services they offer - so you can go straight to the practice that fits your needs,
What you'll get
- NHS and private dental providers, side-by-side
- Urgent and routine appointments
- Compare your options in one place
What counts as a course of treatment?
- Dental examination (Band 1)
- Dentist agrees treatment plan with you
- Treatment carried out (Band 1, 2, or 3 depending on complexity)
- Course of treatment complete - one NHS dental charge applies
- If further treatment is needed within 2 months and falls in the same or a lower band, no further charge applies
If the further treatment falls in a higher band, you pay up to that band's charge. If you start a new, separate course of treatment, a new charge applies.
NHS dental charge exemptions: who does not have to pay?
Some patients are fully exempt from NHS dental charges. Use the quick checker below to see if you are entitled to free dental treatment:
Are you in pain, or do you have swelling or bleeding right now?
Universal Credit and free dental treatment
Receiving Universal Credit does not automatically entitle you to free NHS dental treatment. You qualify if, in your last Universal Credit assessment period, you either had no earnings or your total take-home pay was £435 or less.
A higher threshold of £935 or less applies if your Universal Credit includes a child element, or if you or your partner have limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA). For couples, both thresholds apply to your joint household take-home pay.
Claiming an exemption you are not entitled to can result in a penalty charge of up to £100 plus the cost of the treatment.
Help with costs if you are not fully exempt
If you do not qualify for free dental treatment but are on a low income, you may be able to get an HC2 certificate through the NHS Low Income Scheme. An HC2 certificate covers NHS dental charges in full. An HC3 certificate may cover part of the cost. Apply using form HC1, available from NHS dental practices, Jobcentre Plus offices, and online from the NHSBSA.
Learn more: who is eligible for free NHS dental treatment
How to pay your NHS dental charge
Your dentist will usually ask you to pay at the end of your appointment. Ask for an NHS receipt - form FP64 is the standard NHS dental receipt. It confirms what you paid and what treatment was provided, and you will need it if you want to query the charge or claim a refund later.
Most practices accept card, cash, or cheque. NHS dental treatment does not come with a standard payment plan, though some practices may be able to help patients on low incomes.
How to challenge an incorrect dental charge
If you think you were charged the wrong NHS dental band - or charged when you should not have been - you can request a dental charge refund.
Speak to your dental practice first
Explain why you think the charge was wrong. Many issues are resolved at this stage.
Contact your local integrated care board (ICB)
If the practice cannot help, you can complain to your local ICB, which commissions NHS dental services in your area.
Apply for a refund using form HC5(D)
If you paid and later discover you were exempt, you can claim a refund using form HC5(D). See How to claim an NHS dental refund below.
Raise a formal complaint
If you are still not satisfied, you can complain through your practice's complaints procedure or escalate to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
How to claim an NHS dental refund (HC5(D) form)
If you paid an NHS dental charge and later found out you were entitled to free or reduced-cost treatment, you can claim a refund from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) using form HC5(D).
Deadline: you must claim within 3 months of the date you paid. If you claim later, the NHSBSA will decide whether to accept a late claim.
How to apply:
- Download and complete form HC5(D) from the NHSBSA website, or ask your dentist for a copy.
- Include your receipt. Your NHS dental receipt is usually form FP64.
- Send your claim by email or post.
Email: hc5refundquery@nhsbsa.nhs.uk (attach a copy of your receipt)
Post (include your original receipt):
Health Exemption Services
NHS Business Services Authority
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6SN
Refunds are paid by bank transfer and can take up to 8 weeks from when your claim is received.
NHS versus private dental treatment costs
Not everything offered at a dental practice is available on the NHS. Tooth whitening, cosmetic veneers, and most implants are usually private only.
If your dentist recommends treatment that is not clinically necessary, it will likely be offered privately - at a cost set by the practice. Unlike fixed NHS dental charges, private treatment costs vary significantly between providers.
Before you agree to any treatment, it is worth asking:
- is this available on the NHS?
- if not, why not?
- what is the private cost?
Under General Dental Council standards, your dentist must make clear which treatments are available on the NHS and must not pressurise you into choosing private treatment if NHS treatment is clinically appropriate.
Find out more in our guide: NHS vs private dentistry - what is the difference? →
Not sure where to start?
Use our search tool to explore NHS and private dental providers near you. Or talk to a care navigator for personalised guidance on your options.
What you'll get
- NHS and private dental providers, side-by-side
- Urgent and routine appointments
- Compare your options in one place
Frequently asked questions
Sources and information
- NHS - How much NHS dental treatment costs
- NHSBSA - Help with NHS dental costs
- NHSBSA - Free NHS dental treatment (exemptions)
- NHS - Help with health costs for people getting Universal Credit
- NHS - NHS Low Income Scheme (HC1, HC2, HC3)
- NHSBSA - How to claim a refund of NHS dental charges (HC5(D))
- NHSBSA - Current NHS dental charges (from 1 April 2026)
- NHS - What dental services are available on the NHS
- General Dental Council - Standards for the Dental Team (Principle 1.7)