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Find an NHS Dentist Near You

See which practices are actually treating NHS patients — not just whether they're registered. Then compare NHS charges against private dental costs.

NHS dental charges last updated April 2025. Private cost data from Treatcompare research.

NHS dental charges (England 2025/26)

Band 1
£26.80

Examination, diagnosis, preventive care

  • · Check-up
  • · X-rays
  • · Scale and polish
  • · Fluoride treatment
  • · Fissure sealants
Band 2
£73.50

Fillings, extractions, root canal

  • · Fillings
  • · Extractions
  • · Root canal treatment
Band 3
£319.10

Crowns, dentures, bridges

  • · Crowns
  • · Dentures
  • · Bridges
Urgent
£26.80

Emergency treatment

  • · Emergency examination
  • · Temporary filling
  • · Drainage of abscess

Exempt from charges: under 18, pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months, NHS low income scheme, and certain benefits recipients.

Why “registered” doesn't mean “available”

NHS dentistry in England works on a contract system called Units of Dental Activity (UDAs). Each practice has a target number of UDAs to deliver per year. However, many practices deliver far fewer UDAs than contracted — meaning they're technically registered for NHS work but rarely see NHS patients.

The NHS's own “Find a Dentist” tool shows registration status but not actual treatment activity. Treatcompare uses NHSBSA data to show what percentage of contracted activity each practice has actually delivered — so you can find practices that are genuinely treating NHS patients.

Active
≥ 70% UDAs delivered
Moderate
40–69% UDAs delivered
Low
20–39% UDAs delivered
Dormant
< 20% UDAs delivered

NHS vs private: treatments available on both

TreatmentNHS costPrivate costSaving with NHS
Private check-up£26.80Band 1£50–£150Up to £53
Private filling£73.50Band 2£100–£300Up to £107
Private crown£319.10Band 3£400–£1000Up to £331
Private extraction£73.50Band 2£100–£350Up to £127

Private only: treatments not available on the NHS

Dental implant (single)

£2,000–£3,500

Almost never available on NHS

Invisalign Lite

£1,500–£2,500

Clear aligner — not on NHS

Invisalign Comprehensive

£3,000–£6,000

Full orthodontic treatment — not on NHS for adults

Composite veneers (per tooth)

£250–£600

Cosmetic — not on NHS

Porcelain veneers (per tooth)

£800–£1,500

Cosmetic — not on NHS

Teeth whitening

£300–£700

Cosmetic — not on NHS

How long will you wait?

February 2026

NHS oral surgery referrals have significant waiting times. Private dental clinics offer appointments within 1–2 weeks.

NHS Oral Surgery18.3 weeks

median wait

Private clinic7–21 days

typical wait

378,000 people waiting in England5,400 waiting over 52 weeks
Compare private dental clinics →

Frequently asked questions

How do I find an NHS dentist accepting new patients?
Use the NHS "Find a Dentist" tool or call practices directly. However, being registered as an NHS practice doesn't guarantee active treatment — many registered practices have minimal NHS activity. Treatcompare shows actual treatment activity levels so you can prioritise practices that are genuinely seeing NHS patients.
How much does NHS dental treatment cost?
NHS dental charges in England are banded: Band 1 (check-up, X-rays, scale & polish) costs £26.80. Band 2 (fillings, extractions, root canal) costs £73.50. Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges) costs £319.10. Urgent treatment costs £26.80. Some patients are exempt from charges, including those under 18, pregnant women, and those on certain benefits.
What dental treatments are not available on the NHS?
Cosmetic treatments including teeth whitening, veneers, adult Invisalign/clear aligners, and dental implants are almost never available on the NHS. These treatments are exclusively available privately. Orthodontic treatment for adults is also rarely funded by the NHS.
How much do dental implants cost privately?
A single dental implant in the UK typically costs between £2,000 and £3,500, with an average of around £2,500. Costs vary by region — London practices tend to charge 15-25% more. The price includes the implant, abutment, and crown. Multiple implants may qualify for a reduced per-unit cost.
How much does Invisalign cost in the UK?
Invisalign Lite (minor corrections) costs £1,500-£2,500. Invisalign Comprehensive (full treatment) costs £3,000-£6,000. Costs depend on the complexity of your case and the provider. Some clinics offer finance plans spreading the cost over 12-24 months.
Why are so many NHS dental practices not accepting patients?
NHS dentistry in England operates on a Units of Dental Activity (UDA) contract system. Many practices find the UDA rates uneconomic and have shifted focus to private treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend. Some practices remain "registered" for NHS work but deliver minimal NHS treatment. This is why activity data — not just registration status — matters when finding an NHS dentist.

Related tools & data

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Implants, Invisalign, veneers
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Wait times for 15 procedures
Care costs by area
Adult social care unit costs

Data sources & disclaimer

NHS dental band charges from NHS.uk (April 2025 rates). Private dental costs from Treatcompare research across UK dental practices. Dental activity data from the NHSBSA Open Data Portal (Open Government Licence v3.0). This page does not constitute dental advice.