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The National Health Service (NHS) and private practitioners provide dental care in the United Kingdom. Many choose private dental care when their NHS dentist goes private or because they consider the quality higher.
However, a 2022 survey found that over 70% of English respondents were satisfied with the quality of NHS dental services.1 This article will:
Many oral health resources are available for those seeking dental treatment or wanting to learn more about dental care in the UK. Consider checking these resources’ social media accounts, such as their Twitter or Facebook pages, for up-to-date information.
For more help on oral health and patient care in the UK, search Google or another search engine using your specific keywords or queries.
These are the available statistics on dental care in the UK:
The NHS offers dental treatments that are clinically necessary for oral health and pain relief. However, your NHS dentist may refer you to a private dentist for specific treatments if unavailable on the NHS.
Your NHS dentist must provide a written treatment plan if you receive Band 2 or 3 treatment (see below) or a mix of NHS and private dental care.
NHS dental services in England fall into three charge-bands. Each band includes everything under the lower bands plus an additional tier of treatment.
At the first office visit, you’ll pay the required fee for any service within the applicable charge band. If you require another procedure from the same charge band within the following two months, you won’t have to pay any additional charges.
This charge band includes:
This charge band encompasses:
This charge band involves:
If you require urgent care, you pay a Band 1 fee of £25.80. In addition, some situations won’t require you to pay anything.
You won’t pay a fee if:
If your dentist refers you to another NHS dentist, you may not pay an additional fee if their services are part of a single course of treatment. You'll pay whatever price they charge if you accept a referral to a private dentist. This is in addition to the cost you paid the NHS dentist.
The charge bands and practices above apply to NHS England. Charges differ elsewhere, sometimes significantly.
In Scotland, dental examinations are free for everyone. Additional procedures may vary in cost. Your dentist must provide an itemized account of your recommended treatment if you request it.
If you pay for additional treatment, you’ll pay 80% of the cost up to a maximum of £384. The NHS will subsidize any further charge.
In Wales, dental treatment charges fall into three bands. These are equivalent to the charge-bands of NHS England in what treatments they cover.
The charges are as follows:
Dental examinations are also free for those aged 25 and under or 60 and older.
The Health Service in Northern Ireland has the same cost structure as Scotland. You pay 80% of your dentist’s fees up to a maximum of £384.
In England, the NHS will provide free dental treatment if you’re:
The exemptions are similar in Wales and Northern Ireland, with slight differences. In Scotland, anyone under 26 is eligible for free dental care.
You’re eligible for free NHS dental treatment and patient care if you or your spouse (including a civil partner) receive:
You can receive free NHS dental treatment and health advice if you’re entitled to or named on:
Those named on an NHS certificate for partial help with dental health costs (HC3) may also receive dental assistance. When visiting general dental practitioners, you must show written proof.
This is so you don’t have to pay for all or part of their NHS treatment. Then, you must sign a form to confirm you don’t have to pay.
In the UK, dental care is available through private and public systems. The NHS offers set treatment fees and free oral health care for those under certain circumstances.
Private dental care is generally more expensive, but some services may not be available through the NHS. The largest dental organization in the UK is the British Dental Association, while the largest corporate dental provider is Mydentist.
Foreigners are eligible for dental care through the NHS in all four countries of the UK. Overall, access to quality dental care is consistent across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with some cost variations and eligibility for free care.
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