The Oral Health Foundation has strongly condemned the latest increase in NHS dental charges, calling it an unjustified burden on patients who are already struggling to access essential care.
The rise in fees, set to take effect from 1 April, does nothing to fix the deep-rooted crisis in NHS dentistry and will only serve to push more people away from seeking the treatment they need.
Patients across England are once again being asked to pay more for NHS dental care, while the service remains in crisis. Charges will rise by up to £7.60, forcing people to dig deeper into their pockets for essential treatment, despite the widespread lack of NHS dental appointments.
Under the new charges:
- Band 1 care (check-ups, X-rays) will increase to £27.40 (previously £26.80)
- Band 2 care (fillings, extractions, root canals) will rise to £75.30 (previously £73.50)
- Band 3 care (dentures, bridges, crowns, braces) will cost £326.70 (previously £319.10)
The Oral Health Foundation has condemned the price hikes as yet another burden on patients who are already struggling to access NHS dentistry.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “This is yet another tax on those who need essential healthcare. At a time when millions are unable to get an NHS dental appointment, the government has decided that patients should pay even more for a service they can barely access. This will price even more people out of NHS dentistry and push them towards DIY dentistry, increasing inequality and leaving the most vulnerable in pain. Higher costs, same broken system – patients deserve better.
“For many, NHS dentistry is already out of reach. Thousands of people are resorting to pulling their own teeth or travelling miles for care. Making treatment more expensive will only push more people away from seeking help, leading to worsening oral health and greater long-term costs for the NHS.
“The government’s continued failure to reform NHS dentistry means that access is declining while costs rise. Patients are being asked to pay more, yet receive nothing in return. The system is failing them.”
The Oral Health Foundation is calling on the government to take immediate action to fix NHS dentistry. That means an end to price hikes and the introduction of a new, fairer contract that ensures access to NHS dental care for everyone who needs it.
While NHS dental charges have risen by an average of 46%, the UK’s inflation rate has only increased by approximately 25% over the same period. This disparity highlights how the cost of NHS dentistry has outpaced inflation, making it increasingly unaffordable for many patients and putting further strain on access to care.
