NHS vs Private Dentists in the UK

Cost comparison: NHS Band charges vs private prices

The biggest difference between NHS and private dentistry is cost — and the way that cost is structured.

NHS dental charges are set nationally and apply at every NHS practice in England. There are only three price bands:

| Band | Cost | What it covers | |------|------|----------------| | Band 1 | £26.80 | Check-ups, examinations, X-rays, scale and polish (if clinically needed), treatment planning | | Band 2 | £73.50 | Everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions | | Band 3 | £319.10 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures, bridges |

Key point: you pay a single band charge per course of treatment. If you need two fillings and a root canal, you pay one Band 2 charge of £73.50, not a fee for each procedure.

Private dental fees are set by each practice independently. There is no cap and no standardisation. Typical private prices:

• Check-up: £50–£150
• Hygiene appointment: £50–£120
• Single filling: £100–£250
• Root canal: £300–£700
• Crown: £500–£1,000+
• Dental implant: £1,500–£3,000+

The price difference is substantial. A course of treatment that costs £73.50 on the NHS (Band 2) could cost £300–£500+ privately, depending on the practice and the procedures involved.

However, cost is not the only factor. Private care offers advantages that may justify the premium for some patients.

Exemptions and reduced charges (NHS only): You may be entitled to free or reduced NHS dental treatment if you are under 18, aged 18 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, receiving certain benefits (Income Support, Universal Credit with no earnings, etc.) or hold a valid HC2 certificate. Check your eligibility before assuming you need to pay.

Waiting times and access

Access is where the NHS-vs-private decision often gets made for you. If no NHS practice near you is currently accepting new patients, your only realistic option may be private — at least in the short term.

NHS waiting times vary dramatically by area. In some parts of the country, you can register and be seen within days. In others, NHS practices have had closed lists for months. Even once registered, the wait for a routine appointment can stretch to several weeks, particularly in high-demand areas.

Private waiting times are generally much shorter. Because private patients pay market rates, practices have a financial incentive to offer prompt appointments. Many private practices can see new patients within a few days, and some offer same-day emergency slots.

The practical question is: can you afford to wait? If you have a toothache or a dental issue that is getting worse, waiting weeks for an NHS appointment may not be viable. In that case, comparing private prices on OpenWide lets you find the most affordable option quickly.

OpenWide helps by showing NHS availability upfront. If there is an NHS practice near you that is taking patients, you will see it. If not, you can immediately compare private alternatives rather than making fruitless phone calls.

Treatments covered on the NHS vs private only

NHS dentistry covers clinically necessary treatment — anything your dentist determines you need for good oral health. This includes:

• Examinations, diagnosis and treatment planning
• X-rays
• Scale and polish (when clinically needed)
• Fillings
• Root canal treatment
• Extractions
• Crowns, dentures and bridges
• Orthodontics (for under-18s where clinically justified; adult NHS orthodontics is rare)

What the NHS does not typically cover:

• Cosmetic treatments: teeth whitening, veneers, cosmetic bonding
• Dental implants: almost never available on the NHS (only in exceptional clinical circumstances)
• Advanced orthodontics for adults: clear aligners, ceramic braces
• Sedation (in most cases): conscious sedation is sometimes available on the NHS, but often only at referral centres

Private dentistry covers everything above and adds a full range of elective and cosmetic procedures. If you want implants instead of dentures, invisible aligners instead of metal braces, or porcelain veneers for cosmetic reasons, you will need to go private.

Some patients choose a mixed approach: NHS for routine check-ups and necessary treatment (keeping costs down), and private for specific procedures that the NHS does not cover. OpenWide shows practices that offer both, so you can find one that supports this approach.

Quality of care and appointment length

A common question is: "will I get better care if I go private?" The honest answer is: it depends on the practice, not the funding model.

Clinical quality is regulated by the CQC regardless of whether a practice is NHS, private or both. A "Good" CQC rating means the practice meets expected standards of safety and care. There is no evidence that private dentistry is inherently higher quality.

Where private care typically differs:

• Appointment length: NHS appointments are often shorter (15–20 minutes) because practices need to see high volumes of patients to fulfil their UDA contracts. Private appointments are commonly 30–60 minutes, allowing more time for discussion and treatment.
• Materials: private practices may offer a wider choice of materials — for example, tooth-coloured composite fillings versus NHS amalgam, or premium porcelain crowns versus standard NHS crowns.
• Continuity: you are more likely to see the same dentist each visit at a private practice. NHS practices with multiple associates may rotate who you see.
• Environment: private practices often invest more in waiting-room comfort, modern equipment and aesthetic surroundings. This does not affect clinical outcomes but matters to some patients.

The key takeaway: NHS care is perfectly good for the vast majority of dental needs. Private care offers more time, more choice and often more comfort — but at a significantly higher price.

Can you mix NHS and private treatment?

Yes — but there are rules.

Many UK dental practices offer both NHS and private treatment. You can be an NHS patient for routine care and choose private treatment for specific procedures. However:

1. NHS and private treatment cannot be mixed within the same course of treatment. If your dentist starts a treatment plan on the NHS, all work in that plan must be NHS. You cannot, for example, have an NHS extraction and then a private filling in the same course of treatment.
2. You can switch between NHS and private for separate courses of treatment. Finish your NHS Band 2 course of treatment, then book a separate private appointment for teeth whitening.
3. Your dentist must make the distinction clear. Before starting any work, your dentist should tell you whether it is being provided on the NHS or privately, and what the cost will be.

OpenWide shows whether each practice offers NHS, private or both. If you want the flexibility of mixed care, filter for practices that provide both and check their private fee schedule alongside the NHS Band charges.

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Search for NHS and private dentists near you — enter your town or postcode to see who is currently accepting patients.