The charge you pay depends on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit us more than once to finish it – either Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3.
If you are not exempt from charges, you should pay one of the following charges for each course of treatment you receive:
This covers an examination, diagnosis (eg x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. If you require urgent care, even if your urgent treatments needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge.
contact us
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
contact us
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.
contact us
You may be eligible for help with all or part of the costs of your NHS dental treatment. To see if this applies to you, see the leaflet NHS dental services in England, which is available from any NHS dental practice or visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health- costs/ or call 0300 300 1343.
Aged under 18
Under 19 and receiving full-time education
Pregnant or a mother who has had a baby in the previous 12 months
An NHS Hospital dental service outpatient (however, you may have to pay for your denture or bridges)
Helping to keep your own teeth for life
You also do not have to pay if, when the treatment starts, or when you are asked to pay, you receive one of the following:
Income Support
Income related Employment and Support Allowance
Income based Jobseekers Allowance
Pension Credit guarantee credit
or:
You are named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or you are entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate
You are named on a valid HC2 certificate
You will NOT be exempt from paying if you receive Incapacity Benefit, contribution based employment and support allowance, disability living allowance, council tax benefit, housing benefit or pension credit savings credit, when paid on their own.
Medical conditions do not exempt patients from payment for dental treatment. You will be asked to show your dentist written proof that you do not have to pay for all or part of your NHS treatment. You will also be asked to sign a form to confirm that you do not have to pay. If your name is on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all the treatment.
Checks are made on free and reduced cost treatment claims. If you say you have the right to free treatment when you do not, you may incur a penalty charge.
For further information on NHS dental service and dental charges, see the dental services section of the NHS choices website (www.nhs.uk). For advice on help with health costs, call 0845 850 1166, or got to www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
