NHS dental care

Bupa Dental Care is one of the leading providers of NHS dental treatment in the UK. We offer NHS services at over 300 practices across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

NHS treatment is available to provide you with the dental care you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and pain-free. We believe everyone is entitled to a happy, healthy smile. At Bupa Dental Care, we want to make sure you can smile with confidence.

We’re taking new NHS patients at many of our practices. To book an NHS appointment, use our practice finder to locate your nearest Bupa Dental Care practice accepting NHS patients right now.

NHS dental care in England

In England, the NHS covers some of the cost of dental check-ups and treatments, and patients pay the rest. The prices are set in fixed groups called bands, and you can learn more about NHS dental costs at NHS England pricing bands.

For information about NHS dental treatment, contact your local Bupa Dental Care practice accepting new NHS patients.

NHS dental care in Wales

Most patients in Wales have to pay 50% of the cost of their NHS dental treatment, up to a maximum of £384 per single course of treatment. For dental appliances – such as a bridge or a crown – patients are required to cover the full cost, in addition to the treatment cost.

Some people can get their dental treatment for free and help for covering costs is available. To find out if you’re able to get free dental treatments or help with paying for dental care, visit NHS dental charges and exemptions | GOV.WALES.

To be allocated to an NHS Wales dentist as a new patient for routine treatment, please contact Dental Access Portal - Digital Health and Care Wales

NHS dental care in Scotland

In Scotland, unless you’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment, you’ll be required to pay 80% of the cost of your NHS dental treatment, up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment.

To find out about NHS availability contact your local practice.

For more information about NHS charges and who is exempt, visit Scottishdental.org.

View the Scottish NHS pricing bands

NHS dental care in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, unless you’re in one of the groups entitled to free NHS dental treatment or help with the cost, you will be required to pay 80% of the cost of your NHS dental treatment up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment.

To find out about NHS availability contact your local practice.

Below is an example of NHS dental charges. For more information about NHS charges in Northern Ireland and who is exempt, visit NIdirect.gov.uk for more information.

View the Northern Ireland NHS pricing bands

What's included under NHS dental care?

NHS dental care is free of charge for children under 18, and for those under 19 and in full-time education. Dental care is also free on the NHS if you qualify for it under the NHS exempt criteria; for example, pregnant women and new mums who have had a baby in the last 12 months qualify for free NHS dental care.

NHS dental care provides the treatment you need to help maintain your oral health. This includes keeping your teeth and gums healthy and free from pain.

Treatment is targeted at maintaining your oral health and could include:

• Dental examinations
• X-rays
• Fillings
• Root fillings
• Tooth extraction
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Dentures

Other treatments such as orthodontic treatments and dental implants are available on the NHS too, but only if there is a proven medical need for them.

NHS orthodontics (teeth straightening) is most commonly offered to children under 18, who have qualified for the treatment according to a rating system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). At Bupa Dental Care, some of our practices can offer NHS orthodontics for children under 18 if they qualify for treatment.

What's not included under NHS dental care?

NHS dental services don’t typically include cosmetic treatments or advanced treatments. Your dentist will discuss your options with you and ensure that your expectations are met, which may include private treatment alternatives.

Alternatives to NHS treatment

Bupa Dental Care is open to everyone. In addition to NHS care, we offer a range of services including private care. Contact your local practice for details.

^† NHS treatment and charges are subject to patient status and treatment requirements. NHS spaces are limited by practice and NHS dental care may not always be available due to government contract restrictions. NHS dental care is available at participating Bupa Dental Care practices only, please contact your local practice for further information.