NHS Charges
For NHS charges, instead of paying a proportion of the cost of your treatment, you pay one of four fixed charges relating to the type of care and treatment you have. For example, if you have a check-up and two fillings you will pay one Band 2 charge of £70.70. If you need a crown as well, you will pay one Band 3 charge of £306.80. If you need three crowns you will also pay one Band 3 charge of £306.80
From 24th April 2023, the charges are:
| Name | Examples of treatment | Patient charge |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1: Diagnosis, treatment, planning and maintenance | Clinical examination, x-rays, scaling and polishing, preventative dental work such as hygiene instruction | £25.80 |
| Band 2: Simple treatment | Fillings, extractions, surgical procedures | £70.70 |
| Band 3: Provision of appliances | Complex treatment which includes a laboratory element such as crowns | £306.80 |
| Urgent treatment | Examination, x-rays, dressings, re-cementing crowns, up to two extractions and one filling | £25.80 |
If you require copies of your dental records there will be a standard charge of £10.00.
Do I have to pay?
NHS dental treatment is free if you are under 18, or are a full-time student under 19. You also qualify for free treatment if you are getting one the following benefits or tax credits:
- Income Support
- Income based Jobseeker's Allowance or Minimum Income Guarantee
- Pension Credit Guarantee
- You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- You are named on a valid HC2 certificate
Partial help: if you are named on an HC3 Certificate, you might get some help towards the cost of your NHS Dental treatment.
Proof of exemption must be shown. Those people on a low income but not on the above list may use form HC1 to see if they are eligible for help with NHS costs.
Private Care
NHS patients can opt to have part of their treatment privately. Private treatment gives you more time with your dentist as well as personal service, greater choice of materials and higher quality laboratory work for a better aesthetic result. There is also a greater range of treatment options available, such as cosmetic treatment excluded from the NHS. Some private treatment may even be cheaper. The practice team will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Payment
Payment for dental treatment needs to be made upfront. We accept cash, cheques and most credit and debit cards. We have a minimum charge of £10 if you are paying by card.
Paying for courses of treatment
Since June 2014, changes in the payment system mean that any courses of treatment which have more than two months between them will be closed. If you are unable to return to the Dental Centre for treatment within two months, you will be required to pay the whole band charge (band 1, 2, 3) when you return.
For example, if you have a check-up but cannot then get back to us until 9 weeks later as you are travelling or have a busy schedule, we will close off your treatment so you would pay a Band 1 at £25.80 and then when you return for treatment you would pay a Band 2 (£70.70) or Band 3 (£306.80).