Dentists

Everyone should have access to affordable, good-quality dental care. The NHS provides all the necessary treatment that you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums in a healthy condition. This includes:

• Dentures
• Root canal treatment
• Crowns and bridges
• Orthodontics for those under 18 years old.

It is recommended you register with a dentist. Simply find a practice that's convenient for you, and remember to ask whether the practice provides NHS care. To find a local NHS dentist visit the Wessex Dental Advisory Service website or if you have got a dental emergency and cannot see your own dentist, call 111 and ask for Wessex Dental Helpline.

NHS dental charges from 1 April 2019

When you receive treatment from your dentist on the NHS, you will be asked to pay a charge for the course of treatment you receive, unless you are exempt from paying. There are three separate rates that you can be charged, depending on what treatment is needed. However you should only pay one of the charges listed below for each course of treatment, even if it takes more than one appointment to complete it.

Band 1 course of treatment – £22.70

Band 1 course of treatment includes examination, diagnosis (including x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventative care (e.g. applications of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant). This band also covers emergency care in a primary care dental practice such as pain relief or a temporary filing).

Band 2 course of treatment – £62.10

This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or extractions.

Band 3 course of treatment – £269.30

This covers everything in bands 1 & 2, plus course of treatment including crowns, dentures, bridges and other laboratory work.

Emergency Care and Out of Hours Care - £22.70

This covers any pain relief treatment provided in an URGENT appointment provided by an NHS dentist.

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts, you are:

• A child under 18 years of age
• A young people under the age of 19 still in full time education
• A pregnant woman or have a child under 12 months of age
• An NHS inpatient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
• In receipt of Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• In receipt of Income Support
• In receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• In receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Named on, or entitled to an NHS Working Tax Credit exemption certificate
• Named on a valid HC2 certificate

If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate, you may be eligible for partial help with dental costs.

You will be required to confirm your exemption by signing a form and showing the dentist written proof of your entitlement. If you tell the dentist you are exempt, but are not entitled to free treatment then you may incur a penalty charge as checks are made on all claims for free treatment.