How Much Does a Dentist Appointment Cost?

The cost of a dentist appointment in the UK depends on whether you receive NHS or private care, the type of appointment you need and whether any treatment is required. In England, NHS dentistry uses fixed treatment bands, while private dental practices set their own fees.

At Glow Dental in Battersea, a standard new-patient examination currently costs £90 and includes small dental X-rays. Glow Dental is currently offering 25% off new-patient examinations, reducing the appointment to £67.50. You can see the latest prices on our dental fees page.

How Much Does an NHS Dentist Appointment Cost in 2026?

NHS dental charges in England are divided into three treatment bands. The charge relates to a course of treatment rather than simply charging separately for every appointment you attend.

NHS Band	Current Charge in England	Examples of Treatment
Band 1	£27.90	Examination, diagnosis, advice, clinically necessary X-rays and some preventive treatment
Band 2	£76.60	Everything in Band 1 plus treatments such as fillings, root canal treatment and extractions
Band 3	£332.10	Everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus laboratory-made treatments such as crowns, bridges and dentures

Urgent NHS dental treatment is currently charged at £27.90 in England.

These charges apply from 1 April 2026 and can change, so always check current NHS guidance when comparing prices.

Does the NHS Charge for Every Dental Appointment?

Usually, no. NHS dental charges are generally based on the complete course of treatment rather than the number of visits required to complete it.

For example, if a Band 2 course of treatment requires several appointments to complete fillings or root canal treatment, you would normally pay the Band 2 charge for that course rather than paying £76.60 each time you attend.

If additional treatment becomes necessary later, the charging rules depend on the treatment required and when it takes place.

Who Can Get Free NHS Dental Treatment?

Some people in England are entitled to free NHS dental treatment. This includes people who are:

• Under 18
• Under 19 and in qualifying full-time education
• Pregnant
• Within 12 months of having a baby
• Eligible through certain qualifying benefits or the NHS Low Income Scheme

Eligibility rules apply specifically to NHS treatment and do not mean that private dental treatment is free.

How Much Does a Private Dentist Appointment Cost?

There is no nationally fixed price for private dentistry. Each practice sets its own fees, and the cost can vary according to location, clinician, appointment length and what is included.

This makes it important to compare like with like. One practice may quote an examination fee but charge separately for dental X-rays, while another may include certain X-rays within the new-patient appointment.

Before booking, check:

• Whether the price is for a new-patient or routine examination
• Whether X-rays are included
• Whether a written treatment plan is included
• Whether hygiene treatment is separate
• Whether emergency appointments have a different fee

How Much Is a Dentist Appointment at Glow Dental?

Glow Dental publishes its private dental fees online so patients can see the current starting prices before treatment.

Current general dental fees include:

Appointment or Treatment	Current Glow Dental Fee
New-patient examination including small X-rays	£90
New-patient examination with current 25% offer	£67.50
Routine recall examination	£60
Emergency appointment	£90
Panoramic OPG X-ray	£95
Hygiene with EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy and air polishing	£147
Children’s examination	£60
Composite fillings	From £285–£375
Dental crowns	From £990
Simple extraction	From £195

Fees can change and more complex treatment may cost more, so the current Glow Dental fee guide should always be checked before relying on a specific price.

What Is Included in a New-Patient Appointment at Glow Dental?

A first appointment usually involves more than simply looking for cavities. Because the dentist is seeing you for the first time, they need to establish your dental history and assess your overall oral health.

The new-patient examination at Glow Dental includes assessment of areas such as:

• Your teeth and existing dental restorations
• Your gums and periodontal health
• Your bite
• Your tongue, cheeks and other oral tissues
• Your jaw
• Signs of oral cancer
• Small dental X-rays where required

After the examination, the dentist can discuss any findings and explain treatment options and likely costs before you decide whether to proceed.

Are Dental X-Rays Included in the Appointment Price?

This depends on the dental practice and the type of X-ray required.

At Glow Dental, the standard £90 new-patient examination currently includes small dental X-rays. A larger panoramic X-ray, known as an OPG, is listed separately at £95 when required outside an applicable treatment package.

X-rays are not automatically required at every dental appointment. Your dentist decides whether imaging is clinically justified based on your dental history, examination findings and individual risk.

Does a Dental Check-Up Include an Oral Cancer Check?

At Glow Dental, oral cancer screening forms part of routine dental examinations.

The dentist checks areas including the tongue, cheeks and other soft tissues for changes that may require further investigation. Most abnormalities are not cancer, but regular examinations provide an opportunity to identify unusual changes that a patient may not have noticed themselves.

Is a Hygienist Appointment Included in a Dental Check-Up?

Usually not. A dental examination and a hygiene appointment have different purposes and are normally booked separately.

A dentist assesses your teeth, gums, mouth and overall dental health, while a dental hygienist focuses particularly on professional plaque and calculus removal, gum health and personalised oral-hygiene advice.

At Glow Dental, the current EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy hygiene appointment costs £147. Direct-access hygiene appointments are also available, although the fee differs.

How Much Does an Emergency Dentist Appointment Cost?

Private emergency fees vary between practices. At Glow Dental, the current emergency dental appointment fee is £90.

The appointment fee covers the assessment, but additional treatment may have a separate cost depending on what is required. For example, a temporary treatment, filling, extraction or root canal treatment may involve additional fees.

If you have severe toothache, facial swelling, a broken tooth or another urgent dental problem, it is better to contact the practice rather than waiting for your next routine examination.

How Much Does a Dental Filling Cost?

Private filling prices depend on the size, location and complexity of the restoration.

At Glow Dental, tooth-coloured composite fillings currently cost approximately £285–£375.

Very large cavities may require a different restoration. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure remains, the dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay or a dental crown instead.

How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?

Glow Dental currently lists dental crowns from £990.

The exact cost depends on the treatment plan, material and clinical requirements. If a tooth also requires other treatment beforehand, such as a filling or root canal treatment, that may involve additional fees.

How Much Does Root Canal Treatment Cost?

The price of root canal treatment depends partly on which tooth requires treatment because molars usually contain more complex root canal systems than front teeth.

Glow Dental’s current specialist endodontic fees start from:

• Incisor or canine: £867
• Premolar: £982
• Molar: £1,127

The tooth may also require a filling, onlay or crown afterwards, depending on how much tooth structure remains.

How Much Is a Dentist Appointment for a Child?

Glow Dental welcomes children through its children’s dentistry service. The current private fee for both a new-patient children’s examination and a routine children’s examination is £60.

NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 and for those under 19 in qualifying full-time education, although NHS availability varies between practices.

How Often Should You Pay for a Dental Check-Up?

Not everybody needs a dental examination every six months. The appropriate interval should be based on your individual risk of dental disease.

Factors such as previous decay, gum disease, smoking, medical history and oral hygiene can influence how frequently you should be reviewed.

Some higher-risk patients need relatively frequent examinations, while adults who consistently maintain very good oral health may be advised to attend less often. Your dentist should recommend an interval appropriate to you.

Read more in our guide to how often you should have a dental check-up.

New-Patient Dental Offer at Glow Dental

Glow Dental is currently offering 25% off its standard £90 new-patient examination, reducing the price to £67.50.

The current new-patient fee includes small dental X-rays and provides a comprehensive initial assessment of your teeth, gums, bite, jaw and oral tissues.

Offers can change, so check the current Glow Dental offers before booking.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost at Glow Dental?

If your appointment is for orthodontic rather than routine dental care, Glow Dental also offers complimentary Invisalign consultations.

Current Invisalign prices start from:

• Invisalign Express: from £2,500
• Invisalign Lite: from £3,300
• Invisalign Moderate: from £4,100
• Invisalign Full: from £4,300

The Lite, Moderate and Full packages currently include at-home teeth whitening and retainers. Glow Dental also has a separate Invisalign promotion that can include additional benefits depending on the package and current offer.

Because orthodontic offers change, check the latest Invisalign promotion rather than relying on an expiry date published in an older article.

Can You Pay for Dental Treatment Monthly?

For larger courses of private treatment, paying the entire amount at once may not be convenient. Glow Dental provides dental finance options, including short-term interest-free finance where available and subject to the applicable terms and eligibility.

Before starting a significant treatment plan, ask for a written breakdown showing:

• The proposed treatment
• The expected total fee
• What is included in that fee
• Any likely additional costs
• Available payment or finance options

Is Private Dentistry More Expensive Than NHS Dentistry?

For treatments that are available through the NHS, private dentistry will usually involve a higher patient charge because NHS treatment is subsidised and uses nationally set treatment bands.

However, price is only one consideration. Availability, treatment options, appointment flexibility and the particular treatment you want can also affect whether NHS or private care is appropriate.

Private dentistry does not automatically mean that every treatment is clinically necessary or superior. Whichever route you choose, you should receive a clear explanation of your diagnosis, treatment options, benefits, risks and costs.

What If You Are Nervous About Booking a Dentist?

Some people delay dental appointments because of anxiety and then worry that they may need extensive or expensive treatment when they eventually attend.

You do not need to feel embarrassed about having avoided the dentist. The purpose of the first appointment is to establish what is happening and discuss the available options.

Glow Dental provides additional support for nervous dental patients, including sedation options where clinically appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dentist Appointment Costs

How much is a basic NHS dental check-up in England?

As of 1 April 2026, an NHS Band 1 course of treatment costs £27.90 in England and can include an examination, diagnosis, advice and clinically necessary X-rays.

How much is a private dental check-up at Glow Dental?

The standard new-patient examination is currently £90 including small X-rays. Glow Dental’s current 25% new-patient offer reduces this to £67.50.

How much is a routine check-up for an existing Glow Dental patient?

The current recall examination fee is £60.

Are X-rays charged separately?

This depends on the appointment and type of imaging required. Small X-rays are currently included with Glow Dental’s new-patient examination, while a panoramic OPG is listed separately at £95.

Do I need to pay for a hygienist as well as a dentist?

A dental examination and hygiene visit are normally separate appointments. Whether you need a hygiene appointment and how often you need one depends on your individual oral and periodontal health.

Will I know the cost before treatment starts?

You should be given an explanation of the recommended treatment and associated fees before proceeding with significant dental work. For larger treatment plans, ask for the costs in writing.

Does going to the dentist regularly save money?

Regular examinations can allow dental disease to be identified earlier, when management may sometimes be simpler and less invasive. However, it cannot guarantee that you will never need more extensive treatment.

Book a Dentist Appointment at Glow Dental

Glow Dental is located at 87 Northcote Road, Battersea, London SW11 6PL and provides general, cosmetic and specialist dental care.

If you are joining the practice for the first time, read our new-patient information, check our current fees or contact Glow Dental to arrange the appropriate appointment.

Summary: How Much Does a Dentist Appointment Cost?

The cost of a dentist appointment depends on the type of care you need. In England, NHS treatment currently starts at £27.90 for Band 1, while private practices set their own fees.

At Glow Dental, the standard new-patient examination currently costs £90 including small X-rays, with the current 25% offer reducing this to £67.50. A routine recall examination costs £60 and an emergency dental appointment costs £90.

Dental treatment such as hygiene care, fillings, crowns or root canal treatment is charged separately according to the treatment required. For the most up-to-date prices, always check the Glow Dental fee guide before booking.