NHS dental charges in England are set by the government and are the same at every NHS practice: Band 1 is £27.90, Band 2 is £76.60 and Band 3 is £332.10, with an urgent charge of £27.90, all from 1 April 2026. But a large group of people pay nothing at all.
Who gets free NHS dental treatment
You do not pay NHS dental charges if you are:
- Under 18, or under 19 and in full time education
- Pregnant, or have had a baby in the last 12 months (you need a valid maternity exemption certificate)
- Receiving Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit guarantee credit
- Receiving Universal Credit and your earnings were under the threshold in your last assessment period
- Named on, or entitled to, an NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- Holding an HC2 certificate for full help with health costs (an HC3 certificate gives partial help)
How to prove it
Take proof to your appointment: a benefit award letter, your maternity exemption certificate, or your HC2 certificate. If you cannot prove it on the day you may be asked to pay and claim it back later using form HC5.
Universal Credit is the one that trips people up. Whether you qualify depends on your earnings in the assessment period before the appointment, not just the fact that you receive it. If you are not sure, the NHS BSA eligibility checker will tell you before you commit.
The £100 penalty
Claiming free treatment you are not entitled to carries a penalty charge of up to £100 on top of the original charge. The NHS Business Services Authority checks claims against benefit records after the event, so an honest mistake can still land a bill months later. If your circumstances have changed, pay the charge and claim it back rather than ticking the exemption box and hoping.
Help if you are on a low income but not on benefits
The NHS Low Income Scheme exists for exactly this. If your savings and income are below the limits you can get an HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificate using form HC1. It covers dental charges, prescriptions, sight tests and travel to hospital, so it is worth applying even if you are only just over the benefit line.
Children's treatment being free is the single most useful thing to know: there is no reason for a child in England to go without an NHS dental check up on cost grounds.