How Much Does a Dental Check-Up Cost in the UK? NHS vs Private (2026)
Last updated 3 October 2026
NHS dental appointments are hard to find in many areas, and NHS charges rise most years. Going private usually means being seen faster, with more choice over who you see and when. The catch is that prices vary a lot between practices, and most don't publish them anywhere you can compare in advance.
Quick answer: an NHS dental check-up in England costs £27.90 (Band 1). A private dental check-up typically costs £40 to £100. Add a scale and polish (a clean) and you're usually looking at £80 to £180 for both together. X-rays, if needed, are typically £20 to £60 extra at a private practice.
How much is an NHS dental check-up?
In England, an NHS check-up is a Band 1 course of treatment, charged at £27.90. The charge is the same at every NHS practice and covers the whole course of treatment.
| NHS band | Charge (England) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Check-up, diagnosis, X-rays if needed, advice, and a scale and polish if your dentist says you need one |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment and extractions |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, bridges and dentures |
| Urgent treatment | £27.90 | Pain relief or a temporary fix when you need to be seen quickly |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own NHS dental charges, so these figures apply to England only. NHS dental treatment is free for children, for people who are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months, and for people on certain benefits.
The harder part is finding an NHS practice taking on new adult patients, which is why many people look at private check-ups.
How much is a private dental check-up?
A private dental check-up in the UK typically costs £40 to £100 for the exam alone. Among the 338 practices currently listed on Keystone with a published price (more than nine in ten of them), check-ups run from under £20 at a few practices to £250 at the boutique end, and most sit between £50 and £100.
Prices for the same check-up can differ by £40 or more between two practices a short walk apart, so the only way to know the price near you is to compare practices directly.
What affects the price
- Location. Central London practices generally charge more than suburban or out-of-London practices.
- What's included. Some practices bundle the exam, X-ray and a clean into one price. Others charge for each separately, so always ask what's covered before comparing two quotes.
- New patient vs. returning patient. Some practices charge a higher "new patient" exam fee for your first visit, which includes a fuller assessment.
- Practice type. Boutique and cosmetic-focused practices tend to sit at the higher end. High street and dental-chain practices tend to be cheaper.
Typical private dental prices
| Treatment | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Check-up / examination | £40 to £100 |
| Scale and polish (clean) | £50 to £120 |
| X-ray (single) | £20 to £60 |
| Check-up + clean + X-ray (bundled) | £80 to £180 |
| Filling | £80 to £250 |
| Teeth whitening | £200 to £600 |
These are UK market ranges, not a quote.
NHS vs private dental care
| NHS | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up cost | £27.90 fixed (Band 1, England) | £40 to £100, more with add-ons |
| Clean (scale and polish) | Included in Band 1 if clinically needed | £50 to £120 |
| Availability | Hard to find an NHS dentist accepting new adult patients in many areas | Most private practices accept new patients directly |
| Choice | Limited to practices with NHS capacity | Wider choice of practice, dentist and appointment time |
If you're struggling to find an NHS dentist taking new patients, or want a specific appointment time, going private is often the faster route. Just bear in mind the cost depends heavily on which practice you choose.
Compare dental practices near you
Search your postcode on Keystone to see private dental practices near you, ranked by distance and patient rating, and request an appointment directly.
Curious what clinics near you actually charge? Compare real prices, distances and ratings.
Compare dental practices near you →Frequently asked questions
How much is an NHS dental check-up?
£27.90 in England (Band 1), the same at every NHS practice. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own charges.
How much does a private dental check-up cost UK?
Typically £40 to £100 for the exam alone. Add a clean (scale and polish) and you're usually looking at £80 to £180 for both together.
Is a dental check-up free on the NHS?
It's free for children, for people who are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months, and for people on certain benefits. Everyone else pays the Band 1 charge of £27.90.
Does the NHS charge cover X-rays and a clean?
The Band 1 charge covers X-rays if your dentist needs them and a scale and polish if you need one. At a private practice these are often priced separately.
How much does a dentist appointment cost without NHS?
A private check-up typically costs £40 to £100, and a private appointment with a clean and X-ray usually comes to £80 to £180.
Is private dental treatment worth it if I can get an NHS dentist?
It depends on what you value most. NHS charges are fixed and generally cheaper, but appointment availability and choice of dentist are usually more limited than going private.
Why do dental practices rarely publish their prices?
Many practices prefer to quote after an initial exam, since the price can depend on what they find. This makes it harder to compare in advance, which is exactly the gap price-comparison tools like Keystone aim to close.
How much is a private dentist without insurance?
The same as with insurance in most cases. Private practices generally charge the same self-pay price whether or not you have dental insurance or a payment plan.