NHS dentistry costs less. Private dentistry gets you seen faster and offers more treatment choice. Both routes use dentists trained to the same General Dental Council standards. Neither one is universally better. The right choice depends on what you need, how quickly you need it, and whether the treatment you want is clinically necessary or purely cosmetic.
NHS and Private Dentistry: The Core Difference
NHS dentistry provides clinically necessary treatment at fixed, government-set prices. Private dentistry sets its own prices and offers a wider range of treatments, including cosmetic work the NHS does not fund. Every dentist in the UK, NHS or private, meets the same General Dental Council standards. The difference is not training or clinical skill. The difference is cost, access, and treatment scope.
NHS Dental Treatment Price List (2026)
| Band | England Charge | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Check-up, X-rays, simple gum treatment |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Fillings, root canal, extractions |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Crowns, dentures, bridges, orthodontics |
One charge covers your entire course of treatment within a band. You never pay per item. Our guide to NHS dental bands explained covers exactly what falls into each band and who qualifies for free treatment.
Private Dental Treatment Price List
| Treatment | Typical Private Cost |
|---|---|
| Check-up | £40 to £150 |
| Filling | £90 to £250 per filling |
| Root canal | £200 to £600 |
| Crown | £400 to £1,000+ |
| Full dentures | £700 to £2,500 |
| Single dental implant | £2,000 to £3,500 |
| Teeth whitening | £150 to £600 |
Private prices vary by region, dentist experience and material choice. Unlike the NHS, no single price applies across the country.
NHS vs Private Cost Comparison
| Factor | NHS | Private |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up | £27.90 | £40 to £150 |
| Filling (any number) | £76.60 | £90 to £250 each |
| Crown (any number) | £332.10 | £400 to £1,000+ each |
| Cosmetic treatment (whitening, veneers) | Not available | Available |
| Dental implants | Rarely funded; limited clinical exceptions | Widely available |
The NHS charges once per course, regardless of how many items fall within the same band. This can make NHS treatment dramatically cheaper for anyone needing multiple fillings or crowns in one visit.
Private Dental Plans: Monthly Cost Compared
Many private patients spread costs through a monthly capitation plan rather than paying per visit. Your dentist sets the fee based on your oral health, and the plan then covers your agreed routine and restorative care.
| Provider | Typical Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Simplyhealth | From £7.45 |
| AXA | From £10 |
| Bupa Dental Insurance | From £14 |
| Denplan (Simplyhealth Professionals) | £15 to £60+, set individually by your dentist |
Denplan is a capitation plan, not insurance. You pay a fixed monthly fee, and your dentist provides the agreed treatment without you claiming money back. Dental insurance products like Bupa work differently: you pay a premium and claim costs back up to a set limit.
Waiting Times: NHS vs Private
Private appointments are typically available within days. Many practices offer same-day or next-day emergency slots. NHS waiting times vary enormously by area. Many practices have limited capacity for new NHS patients, and routine non-urgent treatment can take weeks or months to schedule once you are registered. Registering with an NHS practice at all can itself take time in areas with high demand.
What Private Dentistry Offers That the NHS Doesn’t
- Cosmetic treatments, including teeth whitening and veneers
- A wider choice of materials, such as tooth-coloured crowns for back teeth
- Dental implants, in most non-emergency circumstances
- Longer appointments, typically 20 to 45 minutes rather than 10 to 15
- Greater continuity, often seeing the same dentist at every visit
- Evening and weekend appointment slots
Is Quality Different Between NHS and Private Dentists?
No. Every dentist practising in the UK meets the same General Dental Council standards, whether they work NHS, private, or both. Many dentists split their week between NHS and private patients at the same practice. The clinical skill does not change. What changes is appointment length, material options, and which treatments are funded at all.
Can You Go to Both an NHS and Private Dentist?
Yes. Many patients combine both. A common approach is using the NHS for check-ups and essential treatment, then paying privately for anything the NHS does not cover, such as whitening or cosmetic bonding. There is no rule preventing you from registering with one practice for NHS care and visiting another privately.
The Rule Most People Don’t Know: NHS-Available Treatment Can’t Be Sold to You Privately
If you are registered as an NHS patient at a practice, that dentist cannot charge you the private rate for a treatment that is available on the NHS within the same course of treatment. If you need a filling and NHS fillings are offered at that practice, they must offer it to you at the Band 2 price. They cannot insist you pay privately instead. This protection only applies within an NHS course of treatment at a practice that offers NHS care for that specific need.
Why Do Some Dentists Go Private?
Dentists cite several reasons for reducing or dropping NHS work. NHS contracts pay a fixed sum per Unit of Dental Activity rather than per procedure, which many dentists say does not reflect the true cost or time of complex treatment. Private practice allows longer appointments, more flexible scheduling, and a wider choice of materials without contract restrictions. Rising running costs and staff shortages have also pushed some practices to reduce NHS capacity.
How to Find an NHS Dentist Near You
Search using the NHS’s own dentist finder tool, then contact practices directly to ask if they are accepting new NHS patients. Availability varies significantly by area, and some regions have far more capacity than others. If you cannot find a practice with availability, ask to be added to a waiting list, since capacity changes throughout the year.
Is It Better to Go NHS or Private?
Neither option is better in every situation. Choose NHS if cost is your priority, your treatment needs are clinically standard, and you can find a practice with availability. Choose private if you need treatment urgently, want cosmetic work, prefer a specific material or longer appointments, or cannot access an NHS dentist in your area. Many people use both, taking essential care through the NHS and paying privately only for what the NHS does not offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between private and NHS dental charges?
NHS charges are fixed nationally into three bands, £27.90, £76.60 and £332.10 in England. Private charges are set individually by each practice and vary by region, material and dentist experience.
Is it better to go NHS or private dentist?
It depends on your priorities. NHS treatment is cheaper and covers clinically necessary care. Private treatment offers faster access, more material choice, and cosmetic options the NHS does not fund.
Can you go to both a NHS and private dentist?
Yes. Many patients register with an NHS practice for routine and essential care, then pay privately elsewhere for cosmetic or elective treatment the NHS does not cover.
Why do NHS dentists go private?
Common reasons include NHS contract payment structures that some dentists say undervalue complex work, plus the appeal of longer appointments, more material choice, and greater scheduling flexibility in private practice.
How much is a private dentist monthly through a payment plan?
Monthly dental plans typically range from around £7.45 with Simplyhealth to £60 or more with Denplan, depending on your oral health assessment and the level of cover chosen.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. Prices and availability change; confirm current costs with your dental practice or provider directly.
About the Author: Written by the Well Ideas editorial team, dedicated to researching and sharing practical, evidence-informed wellness guidance for a healthier everyday life.
