Contents
The short answer
Every dentist in the UK must be on the General Dental Council register, and you can check it free. Next, decide between NHS and private care. NHS charges in England come in three fixed bands. Private prices are set by each practice, so ask for a written plan with costs.
How do I check a dentist is qualified?
Search the General Dental Council register on its website. It is free and public. It shows whether the person is registered and whether there are any limits on their practice.
The register covers more than dentists. Hygienists, therapists, dental nurses and technicians are on it too. If someone other than the dentist treats you, you can look them up in the same way. Working as a dentist without being registered is a crime.
Is the practice checked too?
Yes, and this is a second thing you can look up. In England, dental practices must be registered with the Care Quality Commission, which inspects them and publishes reports. The matching bodies are Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland.
So you have two checks. The person goes on the GDC register. The practice goes on the inspection report for your part of the UK.
What is the difference between NHS and private dental care?
NHS treatment in England costs one of three fixed amounts, called bands. The same treatment costs the same wherever you go. Private fees are set by each practice and vary a lot. Many practices offer both, and that is perfectly allowed.
You have the right to know before treatment starts whether each part is NHS or private, and what it will cost. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own charges.
Ask for the treatment plan in writing
A written plan should list what is proposed, whether each item is NHS or private, and the cost. If the plan changes halfway, ask for a new one before you agree.
How much does NHS dental treatment cost in England?
These are the charges from 1 April 2026. They usually change each April, so check NHS.UK for the current figures.
If your treatment falls into more than one band, you pay only the highest. Further treatment in the same or a lower band within two months costs nothing extra.
- Band 1, £27.90: an exam, X-rays, advice, a scale and polish if needed, and fluoride varnish.
- Band 2, £76.60: everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment and extractions.
- Band 3, £332.10: everything in Band 2, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.
Who gets free NHS dental treatment in England?
Treatment is free if you are under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education. It is also free if you are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months, or if you are treated by an NHS hospital dental service.
Some people on certain benefits can get help with costs too. The NHS Business Services Authority has a full list, so check before you book.
How do I find a dentist taking new NHS patients?
This varies a lot from place to place. Practices open and close their NHS lists as they have space, so a listing that was right last month may be wrong now. Phone and ask directly.
You do not have to use the nearest practice. Unlike a GP, you are not tied to an area, so widening your search often helps.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
If you have severe pain, swelling or bleeding that will not stop, phone your own dentist first. Ask what their out-of-hours arrangements are before you ever need them.
If you cannot reach a dentist, NHS 111 can direct you to urgent dental care. If you have swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, call 999.
What should I ask before I join?
- Are you taking new NHS patients, or is this private?
- Can I have a written plan and the costs before we start?
- What happens in an emergency or out of hours?
- Is the building accessible if I have mobility needs?
- How do you handle complaints, and where do I go if I am not happy?
Where do I complain, and does it depend on how I paid?
Always start with the practice. It must have a complaints process. What happens next depends on whether the treatment was NHS or private, which is one more reason to be clear about it at the start.
For NHS treatment, follow the NHS complaints process for your nation. It can end with the relevant ombudsman. For private treatment, you can go to the Dental Complaints Service, which is funded by the General Dental Council.
If your worry is about whether a dentist is safe to practise, rather than the service you got, tell the General Dental Council directly.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I check a dentist is registered in the UK?
- Search the General Dental Council register. It is free, and it shows whether the person is registered and whether there are any restrictions.
- Are NHS dental charges the same everywhere in England?
- Yes. Charges are set nationally in three bands, so a course of treatment costs the same at any NHS practice. Private fees are set by each practice.
- Can a dentist treat me privately if I am an NHS patient?
- Yes, mixed care is common. The dentist should tell you clearly which parts are NHS and which are private, and what each costs, before treatment begins.
- Who checks dental practices?
- The Care Quality Commission in England, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland. The General Dental Council regulates the individual dental professionals.
- Who gets free NHS dental treatment?
- In England, children under 18, young people under 19 in full-time education, women who are pregnant or had a baby in the last year, and NHS hospital dental patients. Some benefits also help.
- What if I cannot find an NHS dentist?
- Ask practices directly, because their lists change. Widen your search area, and ask NHS 111 for urgent care if you are in pain.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the LocalListed editorial team. It describes UK regulation and consumer protections in general terms and is not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and change over time: always check the position with the named regulator before relying on it.
