How does the dental system work in the UK?

The NHS dental service is different to other NHS services – and it is complicated. Here goes. We will now describe how NHS dental system works.

Most NHS care is free at the point of care, and some of NHS dentistry. But not all of it. Many people have to pay for all or some of it, depending on their circumstance. Most dentists do a combination of NHS and private work. More of that later.

The government first introduced dental charges in 1951 and every year in April, the government announces what charges patients have to pay for NHS dental care. Some people are exempt from charges. Again, more later.

So. How does the dental system work in the UK?

NHS dentistry (theoretically) covers all the costs of:

Regular check-ups (usually twice a year)
Dentures
Root canal treatment
Crowns and bridges
Fillings
Preventive treatment (such as fluoride varnish, fissure sealants, and a scale and polish)
Orthodontic (teeth straightening) treatment for children under 18 years.

And it does not cover, for example:

Dental implants
Other cosmetic dentistry
Orthodontic (teeth straightening) treatment in adults.

But it’s not quite so simple.

Explanation of funding – an example

Say the NHS sets the cost of a filling at £100 this year. There are three ways of getting that filling.

Person 1 – NHS Exempt (if on upper list above, which a filling is). Free

This includes people who are:

Aged under 18 years
Aged 18 and in full-time education
Pregnant, or have had a child, within the 12 months before treatment starts
Unemployed
A hospital inpatient and the treatment is carried out by a hospital dentist.

Person 2 – NHS Not exempt. NHS pays dentist £50, you pay £50

Person 3 – Private. Prefers to have filling privately. Pays £100

Summary

We have explained how does the dental system work in the UK. It’s complicated. We hope you understand it better now.

Last Reviewed on 10 March 2024