On April 1 2006, the NHS introduced the most significant reforms to its dentistry services since they began in 1948.
These reforms improve access to NHS dental services and replace the old, complicated charging system with three simple, standard price bands.
Simpler charging
There are now three standard charges for all NHS dental treatments. This makes it easier to know how much you may need to pay and also helps to ensure that you are being charged for NHS care (rather than private care).
The maximum charge for a complex course of treatment is £198.
Most courses of treatment cost £16.50 or £45.60.
You receive free NHS dental treatment if you meet the exemption criteria. For more information see our Help with dental costs section.
Better access to local services
Your primary care trust (PCT) is now responsible for local NHS dental services. This means it:
- has money that must be used for local dental services,
- agrees contracts with NHS dentists for services that local people need,
- can influence where new practices are established, and
- is responsible for urgent and out-of-hours care in your area.
If a dentist moves, closes a practice or reduces the amount of NHS dentistry he or she provides, the money to provide this service remains with your PCT for reinvestment in NHS dentistry for the local community.
Over time this helps PCTs to provide better NHS dental services for people in your area.
