Private Dental Check-Up Cost UK: How Much Is a Consultation? (2026)
Private dental check-up costs in the UK: median £65 from 2,233 practices. X-rays £40, hygiene £83. Compare with NHS Band 1 (£27.90). Regional breakdown.
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- Source type
- TreatCompare compiled research
- Primary source
- Provider-published information and TreatCompare research
- Reporting period
- 2026-04-29
- Last updated
- 2026-04-29
- Figure type
- Mixed sources
- Use
- Research and comparison only
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How much does a private dental check-up cost in the UK? Based on data from 2,233 UK practices, a private dental consultation costs a median of £65, with prices ranging from £23 to £180.
Check-up, X-ray, and hygiene prices
| Service | Median | Range (P5–P95) | Practices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation/check-up | £65 | £23 – £180 | 2,233 |
| X-ray | £40 | £10 – £151 | 1,856 |
| Hygiene (scale and polish) | £83 | £40 – £170 | 2,011 |
| Emergency appointment | £75 | £26 – £240 | 1,420 |
A typical first visit (check-up + X-rays + hygiene) costs £150–£300 privately.
Consultation prices by region
| Region | Median | Range | Practices |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | £65 | £23 – £180 | 2,233 |
| Central London | £78 | £27 – £204 | 366 |
| Greater London | £60 | £24 – £175 | 274 |
| South (excl. London) | £66 | £22 – £175 | 750 |
| Midlands | £65 | £22 – £150 | 393 |
| North | £60 | £21 – £177 | 450 |
Greater London and the North are lower-cost at £60 median. Central London is most expensive at £78.
NHS vs private check-up costs
| NHS (England) | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up | £27.90 (Band 1) | £23–£180 |
| Includes X-rays | Yes (if needed) | Sometimes extra |
| Includes hygiene | No (separate appointment) | Sometimes as a package |
| Waiting time for new patients | Weeks to months (many not accepting) | Usually within days |
| Appointment length | 10–15 min typical | 20–45 min |
NHS Band 1 (£27.90) covers a check-up, X-rays, and a treatment plan — but not hygiene. On the NHS, hygiene is a separate appointment and may not be offered routinely. Privately, many practices offer a combined check-up and hygiene package.
Dental membership plans
Many private practices offer monthly membership plans that cover routine care at a fixed monthly cost:
| Typical plan | Monthly cost | Usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £15–£25/month | 2 check-ups + 2 hygiene visits/year |
| Standard | £25–£35/month | Above + X-rays + 10–20% off treatments |
| Premium | £35–£50/month | Above + emergency cover + higher discounts |
Membership plans are worth considering if you attend regularly and want predictable costs. They also typically include worldwide emergency dental cover.
How often should you have a check-up?
NICE recommends check-ups every 3–24 months depending on your risk level. Your dentist will advise, but most patients are seen every 6–12 months. More frequent visits may be recommended if you have gum disease, are a smoker, or have a history of dental problems.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a private dental check-up cost in the UK?
Based on data from 2,233 UK practices, a private dental consultation costs a median of £65, with prices ranging from £23 to £180. A typical first visit (check-up + X-rays + hygiene) costs £150–£300 privately. X-rays cost a median of £40 and hygiene (scale and polish) £83.
How much does an NHS dental check-up cost?
An NHS check-up in England is £27.90 (Band 1), which covers the check-up, X-rays (if needed), and a treatment plan — but not hygiene. Hygiene is a separate appointment on the NHS and may not be offered routinely. Privately, many practices offer a combined check-up and hygiene package.
Where in the UK is a private dental check-up lower-cost?
Greater London and the North are lower-cost at a median of £60. The Midlands is £65 and the South excluding London is £66. Central London is the most expensive at £78 (range £27–£204).
How much does a dental hygienist appointment cost privately?
A private hygiene (scale and polish) appointment costs a median of £83, with a range of £40–£170 across 2,011 practices. An emergency dental appointment costs a median of £75 (range £26–£240).
Are dental membership plans worth it?
Membership plans are worth considering if you attend regularly and want predictable costs. Basic plans (£15–£25/month) typically cover 2 check-ups and 2 hygiene visits a year. Standard plans (£25–£35/month) add X-rays and 10–20% off treatments, and premium plans (£35–£50/month) add emergency cover and higher discounts. They also typically include worldwide emergency dental cover.
How often should you have a dental check-up?
NICE recommends check-ups every 3–24 months depending on your risk level. Most patients are seen every 6–12 months. More frequent visits may be recommended if you have gum disease, are a smoker, or have a history of dental problems.
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