NHS Patients

NHS Dental Treatments, Prices & Exemptions

We offer a full range of Dental Treatments for NHS Patients (with the exception of sedation and orthodontics) to all members of the public, including children and NHS exempt patients. For more information and enquiries regarding our dentist services, prices and exemptions for NHS patients, please contact us. A member of our team is on hand to help deal with your enquiry and answer any questions you may have.

Free NHS dental treatment entitlement

You do not have to pay for NHS dental services if you’re:

  • under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education.
  • pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months.
  • being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist (but you may have to pay for any dentures or bridges).
  • receiving low income benefits, or you’re under 20 and a dependant of someone receiving low income benefits.

Low income benefits

You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you or your spouse (including civil partner) receive:

  • Income Support.
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
  • Universal Credit (in certain circumstances).

Dental services available to NHS Patients

The NHS will provide any clinically necessary treatment needed to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain. Decisions about which treatment is appropriate will be based on a clinical assessment and clinical judgement. Your dentist must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which can only be provided on a private basis, and the costs associated for each.
For full details, please refer to: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services

Crowns and Bridges for NHS Patients

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges are available to NHS Patients. You may be offered a metal-coloured crown on a back tooth to help restore it.

You could discuss with your dentist what alternative cosmetic options can be offered privately, to help you make an informed decision. See Crowns & Bridges in Treatments

Dental Abscesses for NHS Patients

Dental Abscesses

A dental abscess is a collection of pus that can form in the teeth or gums as a result of a bacterial infection. If you feel unwell or have a large swelling in your face or mouth, your dentist may refer you to a specialist for treatment.

This specialist treatment is also available on the NHS.

Dentures for NHS Patients

Dentures (false teeth)

Dentures are removable false teeth made of acrylic (plastic) or metal. Dentures are available on the NHS (Band 3, £306.80).

Orthodontics for NHS Patients

Orthodontics

Orthodontics aims to improve the appearance, position and function of your teeth. Standard methods assess whether orthodontic treatment is clinically necessary and available on the NHS.

We will explain alternative options that exist if you or your child do not qualify for NHS-funded orthodontic treatment. You cannot mix NHS and private treatment in orthodontics.

Root Canal Treatment for NHS Patients

Root Canal treatment

A dental procedure to treat infection at the centre of a tooth (the root canal system). This treatment is available on the NHS (Band 2, £70.70). You may be offered an option to see a specialist privately as an alternative to being referred on the NHS.

It will be your choice whether you opt for the private treatment with this specialist or be referred to an NHS specialist service.

Teeth Scale and Polish for NHS Patients

Scale & Polish

If your dentist says scaling is clinically required, this is available on the NHS. This can be provided by a hygienist or dental therapist.

A simple scaling is included in a Band 1 (£25.80) course of treatment, but more complex treatment for gum problems may be charged within a Band 2 (£70.70) course of treatment.

Wisdom Tooth Removal for NHS Patients

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth can be removed on the NHS when clinically necessary. Removal is based on guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Band 2 (£70.70). We can also refer you for private wisdom teeth treatment if you wish.

White Fillings for NHS Patients

White Fillings

Where clinically appropriate, white fillings are available on the NHS and are generally charged as Band 2 (£70.70). We will explain the filling option types to you in advance.

If you prefer to have the white filling or any other cosmetic filling options, we will be able to advise you on the private costs for such treatments, and the risks and benefits associated with it.

NHS Patient Prices

If you normally pay for NHS dental treatment, the amount you spend will depend on what treatment you need. Some people do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment. There are different bands of charges. These bands and treatments included in each band is outlined in the table below.
Alternatively, click to view our private dental price list

Band Treatments Covered Cost
Band 1

Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish (if clinically needed), and planning for further treatment.
  • Adjusting false teeth (dentures) or orthodontic appliances, such as braces.
  • Applying sealants or fluoride preparations to the surfaces of your teeth.
  • A clinical examination, assessment and report.
  • Marginal correction of fillings.
  • Moulds of your teeth – for example, to see how your teeth bite together.
  • An orthodontic assessment and report.
  • A scale and polish (if clinically necessary).
  • Coloured photographs.
  • Taking a sample of cells or tissue from your mouth for examination.
  • Treating sensitive cementum (the tissue that covers the root of a tooth).
  • X-rays.
£25.80
Band 2

Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
  • An addition to your dentures – such as adding a clasp or a tooth.
  • Apicectomy – removing the tip of the root of a tooth.
  • A mouth guard to correct your “bite” (does not include a laboratory-made appliance).
  • Fillings.
  • Free gingival grafts – when healthy tissue from the roof of your mouth is attached to your teeth where the root is exposed.
  • Frenectomy, frenoplasty or frenotomy – surgery to the folds of tissue that connect your tongue, lips and cheeks to your jaw bone.
  • Treatment for severe gum disease – such as root planing (cleaning bacteria from the roots of your teeth), deep scaling and a polish, or a gingivectomy (removal of gum tissue).
  • Oral surgery – such as removing a cyst, or soft tissue surgery to the mouth or lips.
  • Pulpotomy – removing dental pulp (the soft tissue at the centre of a tooth).
  • Relining and rebasing dentures.
  • Removing teeth (extraction).
  • Root canal treatment.
  • Sealant to fill small holes or grooves in your teeth.
  • Splinting loose teeth – for example, after an accident (this does not include laboratory-made splints).
  • Transplanting teeth.
£70.70
Band 3

Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
  • Bridges – a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth.
  • Crowns – a type of cap that completely covers your real tooth.
  • Dentures.
  • Inlays, pinlays and onlays – used to restore damaged teeth.
  • Orthodontic treatment and appliances such as braces.
  • Other custom-made appliances, not including sports guards.
  • Veneers and palatal veneers – new surfaces for the front or back of a tooth.

Treatments such as veneers and braces are only available on the NHS if there’s a clinical need for them (not for cosmetic reasons). Similarly, other cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening, are not available on the NHS.

£306.80

What if I need more treatment?

If, within 2 calendar months of completing a course of treatment, you need more treatment from the same or lower charge band, such as another filling, you do not have to pay anything extra. If the additional treatment needed is in a higher band, you’ll have to pay for the new NHS course of treatment.

But once 2 months have passed after completing a course of treatment, you’ll have to pay the NHS charge band for any NHS dental treatment received.

Certain treatments (including lost items) are guaranteed for 12 months from the date they were completed. (Treatments provided under this guarantee must be similar or related to the original treatment, but they do not have to be like for like.)

These are:

  • Fillings.
  • Root Fillings.
  • inlays.
  • Porcelain Veneers.
  • Crowns.

Emergency or urgent treatment

If you require urgent care, you’ll pay a Band 1 charge of £25.80.

Most urgent treatments can be done in 1 appointment.

Once your urgent course of treatment is complete, you may be advised to make another appointment for a separate course of non-urgent treatment.

In this case, the relevant NHS banding charge will apply.

When you do not have to pay

There’s no dental charge:

  • for denture repairs.
  • to have stitches removed.
  • if your dentist has to stop blood loss.
  • if your dentist only has to write out a prescription – but if you pay for prescriptions, you’ll have to pay the usual prescription charge of £9.65.

We’re here to help
If you’re unsure about any of the information listed on our NHS Patients page, or would like to ask a question regarding any of the points outlined, please contact Bramley Dental Practice:

Telephone: 01709 700780

Alternatively, please refer directly to:
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/