The government increases NHS fees by 4% on 1st April, 2024
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. It was, of course, the Covid years.
In 2023 the government increased NHS Band fees by 8.5%. This year, 2024, 4% is more in keeping with previous ‘uplifts’ but is not the answer to the access problems patients around the country face.
The dental charge payable for a Band 1 course of treatment rises by £1, from £25.80 to £26.80. A Band 2 course of treatment increases by £2.80 from £70.70 to £73.50. A Band 3 course of treatment increases by £12.30 from £306.80 to £319.10.
Moreover, the cost-of-living crisis means that patients who have a dentist, are not attending because of the cost.
Dental Treatment Band
2023 Charge
2024 Charge
Increase
%
Band One
£25.80
£26.80
£1.00
4%
Band Two
£70.70
£73.50
£2.80
4%
Band Three
£306.80
£319.10
£12.30
4%
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 2024
New patient consultation
Check-up or Examination
Band 1
£26.80
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
£73.50
Amalgam filling
Metal filling
Band 2
£73.50
Composite filling
White filling
Band 2
(normally front teeth only)
£73.50
Root canal treatment
Root filling
Band 2
£73.50
Simple extraction
Tooth removal
Band 2
£73.50
Crown
Cap on tooth
Band 3
£319.10
Dentures
False teeth
Band 3
£319.10
Patients who are not exempt from treatment 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.
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 2020-21?
The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on dental services.
*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.
