Hey, it’s Jon from Electric Teeth here.
In this video I will explain the main things you need to know about NHS dental charges
and what you can expect to receive in exchange for the price paid.
The system is a bit complicated, but I will do my best to keep things as clear as possible.
Okay, so the first thing to note is that whenever you go to see the dentist, you should expect
to pay, whether that is for emergency care, checkup, or for treatment.
The cost of seeing a dentist will depend on your circumstances.
Some people are entitled to free NHS dental care, if they meet specific criteria.
But, unlike going to an NHS run doctors practice or hospital, the treatment is not automatically
free for most people.
NHS dentistry is subsidised by the Government, so you do not pay the full price to the dentist.
And despite what many think, the fee charged in NHS practices doesn’t go striaght to
the dentist themselves.
Not all dental practices in the UK provide NHS dental care.
Many provide private services only, whilst others will provide a mix of NHS and private
services.
The cost of seeing a dentist will depend on whether you are receiving NHS care or private
care.
Typically, private dentistry is more expensive.
But, it does offer more choice and the ability to obtain products and services not offered
by the NHS.
NHS dentists and associated services are there to provide you with treatment that you need
to keep your mouth healthy and functional.
NHS dental services will not cover cosmetic or aesthetic work, this is where private practice
can come in.
So, if you need a tooth removed because it is decayed, no problem, that is covered.
But, if you want a set of shiny white veneers to look like a Hollywood A lister, then the
NHS won’t be helping you with that.
A key part of an NHS dentists role is to provide routine check-ups to prevent any problems
occouring in the first place or going unnoticed.
Your NHS dentist is going to be able to assist with most things you will need.
But, it might well be that you need specialist treatment that your general dentist is unable
to offer.
They have the option to refer you to hospital for some types of NHS dental care.
This might include for second opinions about lumps and bumps, or for extraction of wisdom
teeth.
In the UK everyone is entitled to NHS dentistry.
There are NHS dentists available throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Sadly, in some areas, there are not enough dentists for the number of people living in
that region.
Where this is the case, you may experience difficulty accessing NHS dentists for routine
care and check-ups.
However, there are always procedures in place to help you access emergency NHS dental care,
even if you are not registered with a dentist.
The cost of NHS dentistry varies depending on whether you are in England, Wales, Scotland,
or Northern Ireland.
In England and Wales treatment is categorised under 3 different bands, each with their own
charge, set by the governing bodies.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland you pay a percentage of the dentist’s fee, up to a
maximum amount.
The prices and information provided is correct at the time of recording, but it is subject
to change.
In England and Wales the type of treatment you have will fall typically fall into one
of 3 bands.
This applies to all tratement that is clnically necessary.
Band 1.
The lowest and cheapest band, this includes a typical dental checkup, x-rays, orthodontic
case assessment, general dental advice, a scale and polish (if necessary) and it also
covers preventative treatments such as the application of a fluoride varnish.
On screen now you will see a more extensive list, taken from the NHS website.
The Band 1 charge in England is s £23.80 and £14.70 in Wales.
Band 2
The middle of the 3 bands, this covers treatment for gum disease, tooth decay, fillings, root
canal treatments and the removal of teeth.
As are additions to dentures, such as adding a tooth or a clasp.
The Band 2 charge in England is s £65.20 and £47 in Wales.
Band 3
A Band 3 dental charge will cover anything that involves a dental lab to make something
for you.
This is the most expensive band and often requires the most time and resources, be that
from the staff in the dental practice or labs externals to the dentists offers.
Band 3 treatments inlude labaoratory made porcelain or composite veneers, onlays, inlays,
bridges, crowns and dentures.
The Band 3 charge in England is s £282.80 and £203 in Wales.
There is one additional band, known as band 4 or Urgent.
This band covers assessment and specified urgent treatments such as pain relief or a
temporary filling or dental appliance repair.
The Band 4 charge in England is s £23.80 and £14.70 in Wales.
Free treatments You do not have to pay a dental charge if:
You are having stitches removed Your dentist has to stop bleeding from your
mouth Your dentures need repair - However, if it
is not possible to repair your dentures and you need new ones then you'll have to pay
for these.
Courses of treatment
A very important thing to note is that whilst specific treatments are priced differently,
they can fall under one course of treatment and this therefore limits the cost you pay.
For example, if you go in for your routine checkup, this falls under band 1.
At that appointment you may be advised that you need to come back for a filling, which
falls under band 2.
Rather than paying the cost of band 1 plus band 2, you only pay the band 2 price.
This applies whether you come back for one appointment or for a few further appointments.
It is one price for all the treatment, whether you have one or multiple teeth treated.
In a more extreme scenario, you might go for a checkup and be told you need a filling in
2 teeth, an extraction of 3 teeth and then 2 new crowns.
That is quite a bit of work.
And each of these fall into different price bands.
You do not pay the cost of band 1 plus band 2 plus band 3.
You pay the band 3 price only.
Rules & Regulations NHS dental Band charges in England and Wales
follow strict regulations.
Don’t worry I am not going into all of them in this video.
But it is important to be aware of some key points.
Under the banding system it is possible to have fairly extensive treatment at an affordable
price, but there are some considerations.
The price is for one course of treatment.
If you require additional treatment at a later date, after your treatment has been completed,
you will most likely need to pay for a new course of treatment.
Your course of treatment can only be kept open for a maximum amount of time, usually
2 months, without you coming back.
In reality this means that if you have a checkup and then don’t come back for your filling
for three months, then you will be expected to pay for two courses of treatment.
In other words, you will pay for your Band 1 checkup for the original checkup.
When you return for your filling you will need a new checkup because the previous one
is out of date, so you will pay the full Band 2 charge for checkup and filling when you
return (even though you paid for a checkup 3 months ago).
This would also apply if you have paid a Band 2 charge but need to return for a Band 3 treatment.
Free Dental Care If you meet one of more of the following criteria,
when your treatment starts, you are entitled to free NHS dental care and won’t pay the
advertised charges.
You are entitled if you are: Aged under 18, or under 19 and in qualifying
full-time 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
– but you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges
You're also entitled 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 If you're entitled to or named on:
A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate A valid HC2 certificate
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get
help.
You will not be exempt from paying because you receive any of the following:
Incapacity Benefit contribution-based Employment and Support
Allowance contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Disability Living Allowance Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit Pension Credit Savings Credit
Medical conditions do not exempt patients from payment for dental treatment.
You'll 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.
Please be aware that the rules can vary between countries in the UK and it is always best
to consult with your NHS dentist for the most up to date and accurate information.
In Wales for example, checkups are free for those under 25 or for the over 60’s.
Even though the examination is free, if you are aged 19-24 or over 60 you will be charged
a Band 1 charge for any x-rays, scaling, or fluoride varnish application.
You will also pay for any treatment that is provided (i.e.
Band 2 or 3).
NHS Dental Charges in Scotland and Northern Ireland
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, dental charges are completely different, and will vary depending
on your treatment plan.
You will pay 80% of the dentist charge, up to a maximum of £384.
The price schemes are complex, but your dentist will talk you through the cost of your treatment,
and provide you with a written breakdown of this, before starting treatment.
As with treatment in England, and Wales, the NHS Dental Charges in Scotland and Northern
Ireland do not apply to everybody.
Some individuals are entitled to free NHS dental care in Scotland.
In Scotland, the prices are set by NHS Scotland.
An NHS dental check up is free for everyone in Scotland.
X-rays are not included in this, and standard bitewing x-rays (one each side, which are
normally taken once per year) are £5.
The NHS dental charges in Scotland follow a pricing structure that is complex and will
vary between patients which makes it difficult to give exact prices for treatment before
a checkup.
Shown on-screen now is a table of prices, that gives some guidances on what you might
expect to pay for treatment in Scotland.
However the full list and explanation can be found in the Statement of Remuneration
linked below.
The cost to you as a patient is 80% of the dentist’s fee, up to a maximum of £384
per course of treatment.
In Northern Ireland, the prices that you pay are set by the Health Service of Northern
Ireland.
The minimum cost of a checkup in Northern Ireland is £7.03, not including x-rays.
This price may increase if a more detailed examination is required (for example a further
examination of the gums) or if x-rays are required.
Standard bitewing x-rays (one on each side, which are normally taken once per year) are
£4.90.
The NHS dental charges in Northern Ireland follow a pricing structure that is complex
and will vary between patients and so it is difficult to give prices before a checkup
is completed.
Health Service Dental Charges are outlined in the table shown on-screen now, taken from
NI Direct Government Services website.
A full list of explanations of the costs of Health Service dental treatment can be found
through their Statement of Remuneration, linked below, which is updated every year.
NHS Guarantee Whether you are treated in England, Wales,
Scotland, or Northern Ireland, most dental treatment is covered by this NHS guarantee.
This means that if re-treatment is required within 12 months of a tooth being treated,
you are not expected to pay for that treatment.
This only applies when it is the same tooth being treated, and when you need the same
item of treatment replaced.
If it is a different problem, for example a different filling has fallen out, then you
will be expected to pay.
The re-treatment must be similar to the original treatment.
However, under the NHS General Dental Services Contract Regulation, the replacement does
not have to be like-for-like.
For example, a different material may now be more appropriate.
This guarantee also only applies if you return to the same dental practice.
If you go to another dental practice, you will be expected to pay.
Not all types of treatment are covered by this guarantee, but the following types of
treatment are included: Fillings
Root fillings Inlays
Porcelain Veneers Crowns
Any treatment not on the above list is not covered by the 12 month guarantee.
For example gum disease and dentures.
It is possible that if you require a more complex treatment, for example a crown, instead
of a filling, you would need to pay the Band 3 charge.
There is some further small print to this as you might expect, and your dentist can
go through this with you if you ask.
Can I be charged for missing an NHS appointment?
You cannot be charged for missing an NHS appointment.
This is a rule set by the NHS.
However, if you fail to attend an appointment, or cancel at short notice, then you could
lose your place at the practice.
If you have already started a course of treatment and fail to attend other appointments, you
will still need to pay the relevant charge for the treatment that has been completed.
NHS courses of treatment will be closed down if you do not return for treatment within
2 months of your checkup.
If you fail to attend appointments for your course of treatment, even if it is within
the 2 month time scale, the course of treatment may also be closed down.
The treatment plan may also be closed down before the 2 month point if your dentist tries
getting in contact with you multiple times, but you still don’t get booked in.
If a treatment plan is closed down because you do not attend you will be expected to
pay for a new checkup when you do return.
Private Upgrades It is worth knowing that because many NHS
dentists do also undertake private dental treatment, they may well offer you the option
of opting for additional or premium treatments and services that are not available on the
NHS.
They should make it very clear what is and is not included with your NHS treatment and
what the differences are with the privately offered alternative.
They should too make it clear what the additonal costs will be for the private work.
An example might be that you need a filling.
Under the NHS dental treatment, the filling might be silver in colour.
However, by opting and paying for the private dental treatment you can have a white coloured
filling.
I do hope this video has helped make clear what the NHS dental charges are and how they
apply.
Linked in the video description are a number of additional resources you might find useful.