NHS Prices

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts you are:

• under 18
• under 19 and in full-time education
• pregnant or you have had a baby in the 12 months prior to starting treatment
• you're included in an award of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit
• you're named on, or entitled to, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• you're named on a valid HC2 certificate

You will not be exempt from paying for NHS dental treatment because you receive one of the benefits below when paid on their own:

• Incapacity benefit
• Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit savings credit

The NHS Low Income Scheme provides income-related help to people not exempt from charges but who may be entitled to full or partial help with healthcare costs if they have a low income.

Anyone can apply as long as they don't have savings or investments over the capital limit of £16,000 (or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home).

Help is based on a comparison between your weekly income and assessed requirements at the time the claim is made.

Entitlement broadly follows Income Support rules to decide how much, if anything, you have to pay towards your healthcare costs, including dental treatment costs.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website has more information about the NHS Low Income Scheme, including how to apply.

If you are liable for NHS charges we may ask you to pay a deposit on your first visit

Your dentist should give you a personal treatment plan before you have band 2 or 3 treatment. The plan gives details of the treatment and the amount you’ll have to pay. You will be asked to read and sign the plan. If you've discussed having private treatment with your dentist, the details and costs of this treatment will be listed separately on your treatment plan.

Before having dental treatment, talk to your dentist about the benefits and any risks involved.

If, within two months of completing a course of treatment, you need more treatment from the same charge band or a lower one – such as another filling – you don't have to pay anything extra.

If you are worried about the cost of the dental treatment or find any aspect of charges difficult to understand, please let us know.

Further information about NHS dentistry patient charges can be found at the NHS website.