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What is Good Oral Hygiene?

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:

. Your teeth are clean and free of debris

. Gums are firmly held against teeth and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss

. Bad breath is not a constant problem

If your gums start to hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing persistent bad breath, see your dentist. Any of these conditions may indicate a problem.

Fees and Payment Information - last updated 4th November 2011
NHS Dental Charges: what you should pay


From 1st April 2008, if you are not exempt from charges, you should pay one of the following rates for each course of treatment you receive:

Band 1 course of treatment - £17.00
This covers an examination, diagnosis (e.g. x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems and a scale and polish if needed.

Band 2 course of treatment - £47.00
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one of more of your teeth.

Band 3 course of treatment - £204.00
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above plus crowns, dentures or bridges.

Urgent treatment - £17.00
If you require urgent care, but your urgent treatment needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one charge of £17.00.


These are the only dental charges your dentist should ask
you to pay when you are having NHS treatment.

You will only have to pay one charge for each course of treatment - even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.

If you need more treatment within the same or lower charge band, for example an additional filling, within two months of completing a course of treatment, you do not have to pay anything extra.

Before you receive either Band 2 or Band 3 care, your dentist should give you a personal dental treatment plan with full details of what your dentist is going to do and how much it will cost.

There is no charge for having stitches removed.

Children under 18, and many adults, do not have to pay NHS charges. To find out about free NHS Dental treatment, see for HC11, Help with health costs, available at your local Jobcentre Plus office or from the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk.

Your NHS Dentist should provide all the care and treatment needed to maintain your dental health. To find out more about what you can expect, you can:

  • ask your dentist for a copy of NHS Dentistry in England: Information for patients
  • ask to see your dentist's practice leaflet
  • contact your primary care trust (PCT), or see their website
  • visit the NHS choices website at www.nhs.gov.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647
  • go to the dentistry pages on the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk/dental