Circuit 3, station 6

The National Health Service (NHS) charges for all dental procedures in four bands: Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, and Band 4, each with a particular set of services included.

Band 1 Dental Treatment

Band 1 dental treatment covers the following procedures:

• Reshaping, tightening, or repositioning the dentures (fake teeth) or orthodontic appliances, such as braces 
• Applying decay protective layer, such as sealants or fluoride, to the surfaces of teeth
• A clinical examination, evaluation, and report
• Marginal correction of fillings (repairing or replacing a dental filling that has become worn, damaged, or has otherwise lost its effectiveness)
• Analysis of tooth moulds – to demonstrate proper biting alignment
• Orthodontic evaluation and documentation
• Scaling and polishing (when necessary)
• Taking coloured photographs to document the appearance of teeth and gums
• Collection of oral tissue or cell samples for examination
• Treating exposed sensitive cementum (the protective layer over the tooth root) 
• X-rays

Band 2 Dental Treatment

Band 2 dental treatment covers everything included in Band 1 treatment, as well as the following:

• Modification or enhancing dentures – The addition of a clasp or a tooth to improve their fit, function, or appearance
• Apicectomy – A dental surgical procedure that removes the tip of a tooth’s root to treat an infected or inflamed root canal
• A mouth guard for bite correction – A mouth guard is a dental appliance that is designed to realign the jaw and teeth in order to improve the way they fit together but does not include a laboratory-made appliance
• Fillings – procedures used to replace missing tooth structure
• Free gingival grafts – A surgical procedure where tissue from the roof of the mouth is grafted onto the gum line to cover exposed roots of the teeth
• Frenectomy, frenuloplasty, or frenotomy – A surgical intervention performed on the folds of connective tissue that link the jaw bone to the tongue, lips, and cheeks
• Treatment for severe gum disease – This encompasses several therapeutic measures including root planing (removal of bacteria from the roots of the teeth), deep scaling and polishing, and gingivectomy (excision of gum tissue)
• Oral surgery – A range of surgical procedures including cyst removal, and surgical interventions on the soft tissues of the mouth and lips
• Pulpotomy – Removing the coronal portion of the dental pulp but didn’t include the root pulp
• Relining and rebasing dentures – These procedures involve adjusting and upgrading existing dentures to enhance their fit and comfort
• Removing teeth (extraction) – a procedure that involves removing a tooth from its socket in the jawbone
• Root canal treatment – to remove bacteria from the infected root canal, stop the tooth from being infected again, and keep the natural tooth
• To fill a root canal space with a suitable material
• Splinting – stabilising loose teeth, typically after an injury, using a physical splint. This does not include laboratory-made splints
• Transplanting teeth – moving a tooth from one location and placing it in another location within the same person’s mouth

Band 3 Dental Treatment

Band 3 dental treatment covers everything included in Bands 1 and 2, as well as the following procedures:

• Bridges – It is a fixed appliance, that replaces a missing tooth or teeth by using the teeth on either side of the gap as supports
• Crowns – It is like a snug hat that completely covers to protect your damaged real tooth
• Dentures – A prosthetic appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth as well as the gum tissue underlying them
• Inlays and onlays – A custom-made dental restoration/filling that is used to replace a damaged or decayed portion of a tooth
• Orthodontic treatment and appliances such as braces
• Other custom-made appliances – Appliances that can be used to treat specific dental conditions such as sleep apnea, teeth grinding, and snoring but this one did not include sports guards
• Veneers and palatal veneers – A thin covering that are placed over your front or back teeth and are frequently used to hide stains, damage, and misaligned teeth    

Treatments such as dental veneers and braces are only offered on the NHS if there is a clinical need for them (not for cosmetic reasons). Similarly, the NHS does not offer aesthetic treatments such as tooth whitening.

Band 4 Emergency Dental Treatment

Band 4 emergency dental treatment covers the following procedures in case of an emergency:

• A clinical examination, evaluation and recommendations for treatment
• X-rays
• Palliative treatment – The application of temporary relief to manage dental pain, discomfort, or inflammation, often achieved through the use of medication or other topical applications
• Pulpectomy (a type of root canal treatment that is typically performed on baby teeth) or vital pulpotomy (removing the inflamed pulp tissue from the crown of a tooth while leaving the healthy pulp tissue in the root canals intact)
• Re-implanting a completely dislodged tooth, stabilising it with a splint, and providing any necessary treatments
• Fixing and re-cementing dental prostheses, such as inlays or crowns, that have become damaged or dislodged
• Repairing and re-cementing dental bridges, or creating temporary bridges to replace missing teeth while a permanent solution is developed
• A minor surgical procedure that involves the removal of only two teeth
• Post-operative care that involves monitoring the patient for signs of infection and providing any necessary treatments
• Modifications to dental prostheses or orthodontic devices to improve their fit and function
• Urgent treatment for dental conditions that cause acute pain or discomfort, such as ulcers or herpetic lesions
• Treat sensitivity in the cementum or dentin, often achieved through desensitising agents or protective coatings
• Draining pus from an infected area
• Other treatment needed after trauma, such as repairing or replacing damaged teeth or tissue
• 1 permanent (durable material) filling

If you need additional treatment within two months of completing a course of treatment, you may not have to pay extra if it falls within the same or lower charge band. However, if the additional treatment required falls into a higher charge band, you will need to pay the full fee for that treatment. Certain treatments, such as fillings, root fillings, inlays, porcelain veneers, and crowns, are guaranteed for 12 months from the date they were completed.

If you require emergency or urgent dental treatment, you will pay a Band 1 charge, which is usually a lower fee. If you are referred to another dentist for treatment, the amount you pay will depend on the type of referral and whether the treatment is carried out as one course of treatment or not. If you are referred to a private dentist, you will need to pay both the NHS fee and the fee charged by the private dentist.

There are some cases where you won’t have to pay any dental charges at all, such as for denture repairs, stitches removal, or if your dentist has to stop blood loss. However, if you need a prescription, you will need to pay the usual prescription charge.

It is important to be aware of the different charges associated with dental treatment to prepare when you visit the dentist. Whether you are receiving treatment under the NHS or from a private dentist, you should always be informed of the cost before you begin any treatment.