Private Dental Check-Up Cost UK 2026: Practice Prices and NHS Charges by Nation
What England's dental practice price lists show for a check-up, X-ray, hygiene and emergency appointment, and how an NHS check-up is charged in England, Wales and Scotland.
Quick answer
- Private check-up, X-ray, hygiene and emergency appointment prices from England's practice price lists are on the dental prices table, each with the number of practices behind it and when the lists were read.
- The consultation line combines check-ups, examinations and new-patient examinations, so it is not one appointment type.
- NHS check-ups are charged differently in each nation. The figures, with sources and read dates, are on the dental page.
How an NHS check-up is charged
| Nation | How a check-up is charged | Source |
|---|---|---|
| England | Band 1, which can include examination, assessment and advice. | nhs.uk, read 26 October 2026 |
| Wales | A new patient assessment, then recall appointments. Examinations are free for people aged under 25 or 60 and over. | GOV.WALES, read 26 October 2026 |
| Scotland | NHS inform lists the check-up (examination) with no patient charge, and a check-up with preventive advice, which can include a scale and polish, as a separate item. Everyone under 26 is exempt from charges. | NHS inform, read 26 October 2026 |
| Northern Ireland | Not tracked | — |
Private check-ups
| Item | Tracked? |
|---|---|
| Consultation / check-up / examination | Yes, as one line: dental page |
| X-ray | Yes: dental page |
| Hygiene (scale and polish) | Yes: dental page |
| Emergency appointment | Yes: dental page |
| Membership plans | Not tracked |
| Wait for a new-patient appointment, NHS or private | Not tracked |
When comparing practices, ask whether the check-up price includes X-rays and whether hygiene is a separate appointment.
How each route pays for dental treatment →
England practice prices by treatment with practice counts, and NHS dental charges in each UK nation.
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Important context
Provider and clinic profiles may combine public datasets, provider-published information and TreatCompare analysis. Registration status, services, prices and contact details can change. Verify directly with the provider before making treatment, commercial or legal decisions.
- Source type
- Named public and provider sources
- Primary source
- nhs.uk: How much NHS dental treatment costs
- Reporting period
- 2026-10-26
- Last updated
- 2026-10-26
- Figure type
- Mixed sources
- Use
- Research and comparison only
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a private dental check-up cost in the UK?
TreatCompare's England dataset of dental practice price lists records a consultation price, which takes check-ups, examinations and new-patient examinations together, plus separate X-ray, hygiene and emergency appointment prices. Each is on the dental page with the number of practices behind it and the date the lists were read. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish practice fees are not tracked.
How much does an NHS dental check-up cost?
In England a check-up falls in NHS Band 1. Wales charges a new patient assessment and a recall appointment, and examinations are free there for people aged under 25 or 60 and over. NHS inform lists the check-up itself in Scotland with no patient charge, and a separate item for a check-up with preventive advice. The current figures, with sources and read dates, are on the TreatCompare dental page. Northern Ireland is not tracked.
How much does a private hygienist appointment cost?
The England practice dataset records a hygiene (scale and polish) price, shown on the dental page with the number of practices behind it and when the lists were read.
Are dental membership plans worth it?
Membership plan prices and terms are set by each practice or plan provider and are not tracked here. Compare what a plan includes against what you would pay per visit at the same practice.
How often should you have a dental check-up?
Your dentist sets the interval based on your oral health. GOV.WALES says recall examinations in Wales must follow NICE guidance and be based on your needs.
Sources & further reading
- nhs.uk: How much NHS dental treatment costs — England's NHS dental charge bands; Band 1 can include examination, assessment and advice. Read 26 October 2026.
- GOV.WALES: NHS dental charges and exemptions — Wales's new patient assessment and recall charges, and free examinations for people aged under 25 or 60 and over. Read 26 October 2026.
- NHS inform: Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland — Scotland's per-item charges, including the check-up and the check-up with preventive advice. Read 26 October 2026.
- General Dental Council register — Check that a dentist or hygienist is registered.
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