Read this first — you won't be left in pain
If you're in real pain right now and don't have a dentist, you don't have to suffer or pay a fortune: call NHS 111 (free, 24 hours a day). They can arrange urgent NHS dental care for you — and urgent treatment is a single Band 1 charge (£27.90), or free if you're exempt.
And whatever a dentist quotes you privately, NHS treatment has only three fixed prices in England. You never pay "per filling" on the NHS — you pay one band charge for the whole course of treatment. Take a breath; the numbers below are the most you'll pay.
NHS dental charges work differently in each UK nation. The three-band system below is the England system — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own (in places more generous) rules, covered near the end.
The three charge bands (England)
In England, NHS dental treatment is grouped into three set bands. You pay one band charge for a whole "course of treatment", no matter how many appointments or how much work it involves — so a single filling and three fillings both cost the same Band 2 charge. The figures below are the charges from 1 April 2026:
| Band | Charge (from Apr 2026) | What it covers |
|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Examination, diagnosis and advice; X-rays; a scale and polish if clinically needed; planning for further treatment. (2025/26 was £27.40.) |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions). (2025/26 was £75.30.) |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures and bridges — more complex lab-made work. (2025/26 was £326.70.) |
| Urgent | £27.90 | Emergency treatment to stop pain or deal with an infection or injury — charged as a single Band 1 fee, even if it covers more than one thing. |
Two things that often save you money
If you need more treatment of the same band or lower within 2 months of finishing a course (for example a further filling), you usually don't pay again.
If a filling, root canal or other repair fails within 12 months and needs redoing, you generally shouldn't be charged again for it. Some treatments — writing a prescription, removing stitches, or a repair to a denture — are free. Ask your dentist to confirm the band before treatment starts; they should give you a written treatment plan.
Who gets NHS dental treatment free
In England, NHS dental treatment (and check-ups) is free if, when treatment starts, you are:
Free because of your age or pregnancy
- Under 18, or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education.
- Pregnant, or have had a baby in the last 12 months (you'll need a valid maternity exemption certificate — MatEx).
- An NHS hospital dental service patient (though there may be a charge for dentures and bridges).
Free because of benefits or low income
You (or your partner) get one of these:
- Income Support; income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Pension Credit — the Guarantee Credit part.
- Universal Credit — but only if your earnings in your last assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if your award included a child element or you (or your partner) had limited capability for work. Being on UC does not automatically make dental care free — check your award notice first.
- A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or an HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme (a partial HC3 certificate may reduce, not remove, the charge).
Important — check before you tick "exempt"
If you claim free treatment but weren't actually entitled, the NHS can issue a penalty charge (the charge you owe plus a penalty on top). If you're not sure — especially on Universal Credit — check your latest award notice or the NHS website before you sign the exemption box. On a low income but not getting a qualifying benefit? Apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme for an HC2/HC3 certificate — you don't need to be on benefits to qualify.
How to find an NHS dentist
This is the honest hard part: many practices currently have full NHS lists and aren't taking new NHS patients. It's not you doing anything wrong — it's a national shortage. Here's the calm way to work the system:
- There's no catchment area. You can register at any NHS dentist anywhere — you're not tied to where you live, and you don't have to be a long-standing patient.
- Use the NHS 'find a dentist' service on nhs.uk — it lists practices and whether they're taking new NHS patients (adults, children, or only urgent).
- Phone around — widely. Lists open and close as funding allows, so ring several practices (a wider radius helps) and ask to be added to waiting lists; check back every few weeks.
- Contact your Integrated Care Board (ICB). If you genuinely can't find anyone, your local ICB is responsible for arranging NHS dental care and can point you to a practice. A dental school may also offer treatment.
You don't need to "register" like with a GP
NHS dentistry doesn't work like registering with a GP surgery — there's no formal patient list you "belong" to. If you've not been for a while, you don't lose any right to NHS care; you simply need to find a practice with NHS capacity and book in.
Dental emergencies — call NHS 111
Severe pain, swelling or bleeding? Don't wait
If you have severe toothache, swelling in your mouth or face, bleeding that won't stop, or a knocked-out or broken tooth, and you don't have a dentist or it's out of hours, call NHS 111 — it's free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They'll assess you and arrange urgent NHS dental care at the nearest available service.
Urgent treatment is a single Band 1 charge (£27.90), or free if you're exempt. If any follow-up work is needed afterwards, the urgent fee is rolled into the later band charge — you don't pay twice.
When to go to A&E (999) instead: only if it's a genuine emergency affecting your whole health — for example facial swelling that's affecting your breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure, or trauma to the face or jaw from an accident. For ordinary (even severe) toothache, NHS 111 is the right route — A&E can't usually do dental treatment.
Claiming a refund if you overpaid
Paid for NHS dental treatment but were actually entitled to it free (you were on a qualifying benefit, pregnant, or had an HC2 certificate at the time)? You can claim the money back.
- Ask the practice for an NHS receipt when you pay, and complete form HC5(D) (the NHS dental refund form) from the NHS Business Services Authority.
- You must claim within 3 months of the date you paid, and you need to send your original receipt — the NHS can't process a claim without it.
- Refunds can take up to 8 weeks to be paid.
Quick note on the forms
The FP57 form people often mention is for prescription refunds, not dental. For dental, the form is HC5(D). For help with any NHS health cost — dental, prescriptions, eye care, travel — you can call the NHS help with health costs line on 0300 330 1343.
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
Everything above is the England system. The other UK nations charge differently — and in places more generously:
The rules are different across the UK
Scotland. NHS dental examinations are free for everyone, whatever your age or income. People under 26 get all NHS dental treatment free. Other treatment for those who aren't exempt may carry a charge. Start at nhsinform.scot.
Wales. Wales runs its own NHS dental charge package — examinations are free for those under 25 and aged 60 or over, and other patients pay a set proportion of the treatment value up to a maximum per course of treatment. Check the latest figures via your local Welsh NHS service.
Northern Ireland. NHS dental examinations are free for everyone. Where treatment is charged, you pay a proportion of the cost (commonly described as up to 80%) up to a maximum per course of treatment. Start at nidirect.gov.uk. The same free-treatment groups (children, pregnancy, certain benefits, HC2) broadly apply across the UK — confirm locally.
Do this right now
Whatever's brought you here — pain, a bill, or no dentist — here's the calm order:
Find care, check if it's free, claim back
- In pain or it's urgent? Call NHS 111 (free, 24/7) — they'll arrange urgent NHS dental care. Urgent treatment is a single Band 1 charge, or free if you're exempt.
- Need a regular dentist? Use the NHS 'find a dentist' service — there's no catchment area, so phone widely and join waiting lists.
- Check if you pay nothing. Under 18, pregnant, on a qualifying benefit, or holding an HC2 certificate? Treatment is free — and on a low income you can apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme.
- Paid but should have been free? Keep your NHS receipt and claim it back on form HC5(D) within 3 months. Help with health costs: 0300 330 1343.
Struggling with the cost of living? Free dental care is just one of many UK schemes people miss — check what else you may be owed.
For free, independent help: Citizens Advice can explain help with health costs, and the NHSBSA help with NHS dental costs checker shows what you're entitled to. NHS dental services helpline: 0300 330 1348.