Understanding NHS Dental Charges at Shawbirch Dental

Understanding NHS Dental Charges at Shawbirch Dental

27 / 01 /2026

NHS Dental Charges at Shawbirch Dental

If you’re considering NHS care at Shawbirch Dental, it’s helpful to understand how NHS dental charges work in England so you know what costs to expect. NHS charges are set nationally and apply to all practices offering NHS treatment — including ours.

How NHS Dental Charges Work

Instead of paying for each individual item of treatment, NHS dentistry in England is grouped into three “bands”. Each band covers a range of treatments depending on how complex your care is. You’ll only pay one band of treatment, depending on what treatment you undergo.

Current NHS Charge Bands (from 1 April 2025)

• Band 1 – £27.40
  Covers a routine check‑up, assessment and diagnosis, preventive advice, X‑rays (if needed), and basic oral health care planning.

• Band 2 – £75.30
  Includes everything in Band 1, plus treatments like fillings, simple extractions, and some other restorative work.

• Band 3 – £326.70
  Includes everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex care such as crowns, dentures or bridges.

There’s also a separate urgent treatment charge (£27.40) which applies when you need immediate care for pain relief or an emergency issue.

What This Means for You

At Shawbirch Dental, if you’re seen as an NHS patient:

• Your dentist will assess your needs and explain which band your treatment falls into before you start.

• You only pay the charge for the highest band needed, so you won’t be charged separately for a check‑up and then a filling in most cases.

• If treatment spans more than one visit, as long as it’s part of the same course of treatment, the band charge still covers it.

• If 3 months passes between visits, this will be classed as a new band and a new charge will apply. In some instances, it is important that we monitor the oral health or review the dental disease before a new treatment plan can be made. This new plan is usually classed as a new course of treatment.

Help With NHS Dental Costs

Some people are entitled to free NHS dental treatment or assistance with costs — for example, children, pregnant people, and those receiving certain benefits. There’s also the NHS Low Income Scheme which may reduce what you pay.

If you think you might qualify for help with costs, we’re happy to guide you through the process or point you to the right forms.

Want to Know More?

Understanding dental charges helps take the stress out of planning your care. If you have any questions about NHS treatment costs or whether a particular procedure is available on the NHS, just ask a member of our team — we’re here to help.