Updated May 2026
NHS Dental Check-Up Cost: £27.90 (April 2026)
An NHS routine check-up is the Band 1 charge: £27.90 from 1 April 2026. It covers examination, any X-rays the dentist judges necessary, preventive advice, and a treatment plan for any further work.
BAND 1 CHARGE (APRIL 2026)
£27.90
For a check-up with no active treatment needed.
£27.90 is a nationally fixed charge set by NHS England. Every NHS dental practice in England charges exactly the same amount. There is no negotiation, no variation between practices, and no surcharge for X-rays during the same visit.
If you qualify for free NHS dental treatment, you pay nothing for the check-up regardless of what the dentist finds.
What is included in the £27.90 NHS check-up
Your dentist must offer all of these as part of a routine examination, if clinically appropriate, without an extra charge on top of the Band 1 £27.90:
Examination of teeth, gums, and soft tissues
A full clinical assessment looking for decay, gum disease, infection, oral cancer signs, and bite issues. The dentist examines tongue, cheeks, palate, and lips as well as the teeth themselves.
X-rays as clinically necessary
Bitewing X-rays to check for decay between teeth, plus any other X-rays the dentist judges necessary. All X-rays taken during the appointment are covered by the single Band 1 charge.
Scale and polish if clinically needed
Professional removal of tartar and staining is included only if there is clinical need (calculus build-up or active gum disease history). A purely cosmetic polish is not part of Band 1.
Preventive advice and fluoride
Personalised diet and oral hygiene advice. Fluoride varnish where appropriate (especially for children and high-risk adults). Fissure sealants for children.
Treatment plan for any further work
If the dentist finds anything needing treatment, you receive a written or verbal plan with the band each proposed treatment falls into and the total cost.
Small repairs to dentures or appliances
Minor adjustments or repairs to existing removable dentures or removable orthodontic appliances are part of Band 1 if no other treatment is needed.
NICE recall intervals: how often you can have a check-up
NICE Guideline NG30 sets out risk-based recall intervals rather than automatic 6-monthly check-ups. Your dentist decides where on the scale you sit based on your individual oral health, decay rate, gum disease history, and risk factors such as smoking and diet.
| Risk category | Recall interval | Annual cost on NHS |
|---|---|---|
| Low risk adult | Up to 24 months | £13.95 per year (one check-up every 2 years) |
| Moderate risk adult | 12 months | £27.90 per year |
| High risk adult | 3-6 months | £55.80-£111.60 per year |
| Child / young person | 6-12 months typically | Free |
Source: NICE Guideline NG30 (Dental Checks: Intervals Between Oral Health Reviews).
When the check-up becomes a higher band
The moment your dentist decides any active treatment is needed in the same course, the charge upgrades from Band 1 to the highest band required. You pay only the higher band, not both.
| Scenario at the check-up | Total cost |
|---|---|
| Check-up only, nothing else needed | £27.90 (Band 1) |
| Check-up plus one filling agreed | £76.60 (Band 2) |
| Check-up plus multiple fillings same course | £76.60 (Band 2) |
| Check-up plus root canal | £76.60 (Band 2) |
| Check-up plus simple extraction | £76.60 (Band 2) |
| Check-up plus crown agreed | £332.10 (Band 3) |
| Check-up plus denture work agreed | £332.10 (Band 3) |
NHS check-up vs private check-up cost
| Item | NHS | Private (typical UK range) |
|---|---|---|
| Examination | Included in £27.90 | £50-120 |
| X-rays (bitewing pair) | Included if clinically needed | £20-50 additional |
| Scale and polish | Included if clinically needed | £40-80 (hygienist visit) |
| Total typical first visit | £27.90 | £90-250 |
Private ranges sourced from Which? UK and Bupa Dental Care published price tiers. Prices vary by region; London typically 30-50% higher.