NHS vs Private Dentist: Cost, Wait Times & What You Actually Get (UK 2026)

NHS dental care costs between £26.80 and £319.10 across three treatment bands and covers clinically necessary work. Private dental care typically costs £50–£120 for a check-up and offers the full range of treatments including cosmetics, implants and advanced orthodontics. The right choice depends on your needs, budget, and what treatments you're after — and many patients use both. Over 13 million adults in England have unmet dental needs, so understanding your options has never been more important.

NHS dental charges (England 2026)

NHS dental treatment in England is organised into three charge bands:

You pay one band charge per course of treatment, no matter how many items are included. If you need three fillings and two extractions, you still pay the single Band 2 charge of £73.50.

Important: Charges differ across the UK nations:

• Scotland — NHS dental check-ups are free for all adults. Treatment is 80% funded up to a cap
• Wales — similar band system but different prices
• Northern Ireland — different fee structure with patient charges for most treatments

Who gets free NHS dental treatment?

You're exempt from NHS dental charges if you're:

• Under 18 (or under 19 in full-time education)
• Pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• Receiving certain benefits (Income Support, Universal Credit with nil income, Pension Credit Guarantee)
• Named on an NHS Low Income Scheme certificate (HC2)
• A war pensioner (for war-related treatment)

Full details are on the NHS dental charges exemptions page.

Private dental costs

Private pricing varies by practice and location, but here are typical ranges:

The gap between NHS and private varies hugely by treatment. A filling costs £73.50 on the NHS vs £90–£250 privately — relatively close. But a root canal at £73.50 on NHS vs £400–£900 privately is a massive difference. Crowns show a similar pattern: £319.10 vs £500–£1,200.

Key differences beyond price

Treatments available

• NHS: Covers what's clinically necessary — check-ups, fillings, extractions, crowns, dentures, bridges, root canals. Cosmetic treatments are excluded
• Private: Full range including teeth whitening, Invisalign and clear aligners, veneers, composite bonding, dental implants, and cosmetic treatments

Materials and techniques

• NHS: Functional materials that meet clinical standards. Amalgam (silver) fillings are still used, though many NHS dentists now offer white fillings. Standard acrylic dentures. Basic crown materials
• Private: Choice of premium materials — tooth-coloured composite fillings, porcelain or zirconia crowns, flexible dentures, premium implant systems. Access to newer techniques like digital smile design and same-day crowns (CEREC)

Appointment time and experience

• NHS: Appointments typically last 10–15 minutes. The NHS contract structure means dentists work within Units of Dental Activity (UDAs), which can limit time per patient. You may see different dentists at the same practice
• Private: Appointments typically last 20–45 minutes. More time for thorough examination, discussion, and treatment. Greater continuity — you usually see the same dentist each visit

Waiting times

• NHS: Waiting times vary enormously by area. In some parts of England, you may wait weeks or months for a routine appointment. The British Dental Association has highlighted the growing crisis in NHS dental access, with millions unable to find an NHS dentist
• Private: Most private practices offer appointments within days, often same-day or next-day for urgent issues

The "unbundling" trap to watch for

When comparing NHS and private costs, be aware of how pricing works:

On the NHS, everything within a course of treatment is bundled into one band charge. A check-up, two X-rays, a scale and polish, and fluoride varnish = one Band 1 payment of £26.80.

At a private practice, each item may be priced separately:

The same visit that costs £26.80 on the NHS could cost £180 privately. This matters most for preventive and routine care.

For complex treatments, the gap narrows or even reverses. A private dentist who charges £900 for a root canal may deliver a significantly different experience to the same procedure at the Band 2 price of £73.50 — including more time, better materials, and a rubber dam for isolation.

Can you mix NHS and private?

Yes — and many patients do. Common approaches:

• NHS for routine care + private for cosmetics — get your check-ups and fillings on the NHS, then go private for whitening, bonding, or veneers
• NHS for children + private for adults — children get free NHS dental care until 18
• NHS emergency care + private ongoing — use NHS 111 for urgent issues, then switch to private for planned treatment

One rule: Your dentist cannot charge you privately for a treatment that's available on the NHS during the same course of treatment. If you need a filling (NHS-available), they must offer it at the Band 2 price. They can't insist on a private filling within an NHS treatment course. The Care Quality Commission oversees dental practices to ensure compliance.

Finding an NHS dentist

Finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients is genuinely difficult in many areas. Options:

1. NHS Find a Dentist tool — search at nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist
2. Call NHS 111 — they can help locate practices accepting new patients in your area
3. Local Healthwatch — your local Healthwatch branch can advise on dental access
4. Contact practices directly — call dental practices in your area and ask if they have NHS places. Be prepared to be placed on a waiting list
5. Dental schools — teaching hospitals like King's College London and Guy's Hospital offer reduced-cost treatment by supervised students

If you can't find an NHS dentist, you have the right to complain to NHS England — though this doesn't guarantee a place.

Ways to reduce private dental costs

If you're going private, there are ways to manage costs:

• Dental insurance — plans from Denplan, SimplyHealth, or BUPA cover some or all routine treatments for a monthly fee (typically £15–£50/month)
• Dental membership plans — many private practices offer their own plans (typically £10–£25/month) covering check-ups, hygienist visits, and discounts on treatment
• 0% finance — most clinics offer interest-free payment plans for larger treatments
• Dental schools — supervised treatment by dental students at a significant discount (often 50% or more)
• Charity dental clinics — organisations like Dentaid run clinics for people who can't access NHS care
• Compare quotes — prices vary significantly between private practices, even in the same area

How Pearlie can help

Whether you're looking for an NHS dentist, a private practice, or a specific treatment, Pearlie matches you with verified, GDC-registered clinics based on your needs. Our matching is free and independent — we don't favour any clinic over another.

Frequently asked questions

Is a private dentist better than an NHS dentist?

Not necessarily. The same dentists often work in both NHS and private settings — many split their time between NHS and private lists. The key differences are time (more per appointment in private), materials (wider choice privately), and range of treatments (cosmetics are private only). For routine check-ups and basic treatment, NHS dental care is perfectly good. For complex or cosmetic work, private care offers more options.

How much is a private dental check-up?

A private dental check-up typically costs £50–£120 depending on the practice and location. London practices tend to charge more (£80–£150). This usually includes an oral examination, assessment of gum health, and treatment recommendations. X-rays are often charged separately (£15–£30 each or included in a new patient package).

Can I get cosmetic dentistry on the NHS?

No. The NHS only covers clinically necessary treatment. Teeth whitening, veneers, composite bonding, Invisalign, and dental implants (in most cases) are private-only treatments. The exception is cosmetic work that's also clinically necessary — for example, a crown on a front tooth may be made in tooth-coloured material on the NHS because it serves a clinical purpose.

Why can't I find an NHS dentist?

The UK is experiencing a significant crisis in NHS dental access. The British Dental Association reports that the NHS dental contract, introduced in 2006, has made NHS work increasingly unviable for many practices. Dentists are leaving NHS contracts because the UDA-based payment system doesn't cover the cost of delivering complex care. The result: fewer practices accepting NHS patients, longer waiting lists, and growing numbers of patients with no access to NHS dental care. The Healthwatch England "dentistry report" found that millions have been unable to find an NHS dentist.

Is dental insurance worth it in the UK?

It depends on your usage. Dental insurance (£15–£50/month) typically covers 2 check-ups, 2 hygienist visits, and contributes toward fillings and other treatments annually. If you're healthy and only need routine care, insurance may cost more than paying per visit. If you expect to need treatment (crowns, root canals, etc.), insurance can save significant money. Dental membership plans at individual practices (£10–£25/month) often offer better value for routine care — typically including check-ups, hygiene visits, and 10–20% off treatments.

Can an NHS dentist refuse to treat me?

An NHS dentist can decline to accept you as a new patient if their NHS list is full. However, if you're already registered and have an urgent problem, they should see you. If you're in pain and can't find an NHS dentist, call NHS 111 — they can arrange an emergency dental appointment.

This guide provides general information and is not dental or medical advice. NHS charge bands shown are for England (2026) and may change. Charges differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Pearlie does not provide dental advice — all treatment decisions should be discussed with a GDC-registered dentist.