NHS dental charges 2023-2024 up by 8.5%

The government increases NHS fees increase by 8.5% on April 24th 2023

For five years, the 2015 Spending Review committed to an annual uplift to patient charges of 5%. For two years and three months, since the last increase and the end of the Spending Review, there has not been an increase in charges. But the government is making up for that now, by increasing the NHS Band fees by 8.5%.

If you are concerned about access to dental care, please contact your local MP.

Please note that your NHS dentist will not benefit from the increase. While the cost to patients for NHS treatment is increased by a startling 8.5%, the uplift for NHS dental contract holders is just 4.75%.

The British Dental Association comments on the increase:

“The revenue raised will not go to your dentist or towards improving your care. Amid a cost-of-living crisis, this hike is covering for government cuts.

Dentists are health professionals not tax collectors. But over the last decade millions have been cut from our budgets, and the difference has been plugged by inflation, busting hikes in patient charges.

The revenue raised by this increase doesn’t go to dentists, and will do nothing to help the practices struggling to recruit staff or the patients unable to secure an appointment.

Ministers are simply making our patients pay more so they can pay less.”

Following a two year freeze, the dental charge payable for a Band 1 course of treatment rises by £2, from £23.80 to £25.80. A Band 2 course of treatment increases by £5.50 from £65.20 to £70.70. A Band 3 course of treatment increases by £24 from £282.80 to £306.80.

NHS dental fees (patient charges) were last adjusted in December 2020. Since then, many dentists across the country have reduced the NHS dental care they can offer to teenagers and adults. Moreover,  the cost-of-living crisis means that patients who have a dentist, are not attending because of the cost.

How much will I pay for my NHS Dental Treatment?

You will not be charged for individual items within an NHS course of treatment.

Dental Treatment	also known as	NHS Band	April 2023
New patient consultation	Check-up or Examination	Band 1	£25.80
Basic x-rays	Bite Wings or Radiographs	inc patient consultation	£nil
Scale and polish	Basic hygiene clean	inc patient consultation	£nil
Hygiene deep scaling	Hygiene extended appointment	Band 2	£70.70
Amalgam filling	Metal filling	Band 2	£70.70
Composite filling	White filling	Band 2 (normally front teeth only)	£70.70
Root canal treatment	Root filling	Band 2	£70.70
Simple extraction	Tooth removal	Band 2	£70.70
Crown	Cap on tooth	Band 3	£306.80
Dentures	False teeth	Band 3	£306.80

Patients who are not exempt from treatment should be asked to pay one charge, fixed at a rate according to one of the bands above. The fee is set for each completed course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it. A course of dental treatment is completed when the treatment listed in your treatment plan is provided in full.

If the patient charges are not clear, ask your dentist to explain and request a written payment plan.

• Automated checks of NHS fees punish the wrong people
• Look after your NHS Dental Registration, or you may lose it

Do I have to pay for my treatment?

You contribute to your NHS dental treatment as per the bands above unless you are entitled to free dental care.  The main criteria of entitlement to free dental care are:

You are entitled if you are:

• aged under 18, or under 19 and in full-time qualifying education
• pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months
• staying in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
• an NHS hospital dental service outpatient – however, you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges

You are also entitled to free dental charges if you or your partner, including civil partner, receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit and meet the criteria

How much did the NHS dental charges increase in 2019-20?

The last rise to NHS dental charges was in December 2020.

You may read about the increase and costs for that period here.

Important information:

• What is included in each band? Understanding NHS charges from April 2023.
• Check the NHS England Health Costs for further details.

*Please note:  Some SpaDental practices are only able to see private patients because they do not hold a contract with the NHS. Our private only practices, offer a range of dental plans to spread the cost of of treatment over monthly payments.

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