eGDCDental costs
The majority of patients will pay something towards their dental costs. This may be the full cost of private treatment, a contribution towards the cost of NHS treatment, or a combination of the two.
The GDC does not set the prices that can be charged for private dental treatment or for NHS treatment.
However we do appreciate the different costs of treatment can be confusing for patients and so we have provided some information on charges for dental treatment.
Private treatment
There are no set limits on what practices can charge for private dental treatment and prices will vary from practice to practice.
However dental professionals must make sure that a simple price list is clearly displayed in the reception or waiting area of the practice.
This price list should include a list of basic items, including:
- A consultation.
- A single-surface filling.
- An extraction.
- Radiographs.
- Treatment provided by the hygienist.
For items that vary in cost, the price list can use a 'from-to' price range to explain their prices.
Dental professionals must also give clear information on their prices in the practice literature and on their website.
NHS treatment
Any treatment that your dentist believes is clinically necessary to achieve and maintain good oral health should be available on the NHS.
However, if you are not entitled to free treatment, you will need to pay a contribution toward the costs. How much you will have to pay is determined by the health service where you live (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
England
The costs for NHS dental treatment in England are set by NHS England.
All NHS dental treatment in England falls into one of three 'bands' depending on how complex the treatment is. The amount that you will have to pay towards your dental treatment depends on which band your treatment falls into.
You can find a list of the treatments that fall into the three bands, and the charges for each of these bands on the NHS.uk website.
More information on NHS dental charging in England is available from the NHS.uk website.
Scotland
The costs of NHS dental treatment in Scotland are set by NHS Scotland.
Information on treatment charges is available on the NHS Scotland website.
Wales
The costs of NHS dental treatment in Wales are set by NHS Wales.
Information on treatment charges is available on the NHS Wales website.
Northern Ireland
Information on the charges for health service dental treatment in Northern Ireland is available on the NI Direct website.