Dental charge freeze ends causing price thaw and increase

News - 26 November 2020

A six-month freeze on dental charges brought on by the first wave of the pandemic is due to end next month. In turn, patients will see a rise in dental fees across all NHS Dental Practices as part of a five-year spending review plan.
Dentist with patient

The rise comes on the final year of the Spending Review commitment to annually uplift dental patient charges by 5% for the duration of the Review period.

Dental charges will increase all three bands by the following amounts: 

Band 1 will increase by £1.10 to £23.80 

Band 2 will increase by £3.10 to £65.20

Band 3 will increase by £13.50 to £282.80

Band 1 (£23.80)

This band includes examination, diagnosis (including radiographs), advice on how to prevent future problems, scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventative care (e.g. applications of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant).

Band 2 (£65.20) 

This band covers everything listed in band 1, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work, or extraction.

Band 3 (£282.80)

This band covers everything in bands 1 and 2, plus the course of treatment including crowns, dentures, bridges, and other laboratory work

Urgent (£23.80)

This band covers urgent assessment and specified urgent treatments such as pain relief or a temporary filling or dental appliance repair.

The dental charge increases will come in from Monday 14 December. 

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