How much does a dental check-up cost?
A dental check-up is £27.90 on the NHS (Band 1) or £50–£95 privately in 2026 — the single cheapest appointment in dentistry, and the one that saves you the most by catching problems early.
| Where | Typical price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| NHS (Band 1) | £27.90 | Exam, X-rays, advice, scale if needed |
| Private check-up | £50 – £95 | Exam (X-rays may be extra) |
| Private new-patient exam | £80 – £120 | Longer first appointment |
Guide ranges, 2026. London practices sit at the top. Ask whether X-rays and hygienist are included.
The NHS check-up is a flat Band 1 fee that bundles the exam, any X-rays and advice — far cheaper than private if you can get an appointment. Privately, prices vary mostly by location and whether X-rays or a hygienist visit are included, so compare what's in the price, not just the headline number. Either way, a regular check-up is the best-value thing you can do for your teeth: it's the difference between a £27.90 visit now and a £1,000 crown later.
NICE does not recommend a six-monthly check-up for everyone. It recommends an interval set individually between 3 and 24 months, based on your risk of dental disease.
The 2018 surveillance review found no evidence that a 24-month interval harmed the oral health of low-risk adults. If a practice recalls you every six months as a matter of routine, it is reasonable to ask what your risk assessment was — the answer changes how much you spend over a decade.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Dental checks: intervals between oral health reviews. Clinical guideline CG19, 2004; surveillance review 2018. nice.org.uk/guidance/cg19 · NICE terms — cited, not reproduced
Prices on this page are ours, read from practices' own fee guides. The findings above are independent peer-reviewed research, cited so you can check them. All sources and licences.
Finding a practice
We do not collect enquiries and we do not pass anyone's details to practices. Browse the practices in your borough, then contact the one you choose directly — every listing carries the practice's own telephone number from the CQC register.
How much is a dental check-up in the UK?
On the NHS a check-up is £27.90 (Band 1, England, 2026), which also covers X-rays, advice and a scale and polish if needed. Privately a check-up is usually £50–£95, and new-patient or extended exams can be £80–£120. London sits at the top of the range.
Are X-rays included?
On the NHS, yes — X-rays are part of the single Band 1 charge. Privately, a basic exam may not include X-rays, so ask whether they are extra before you book.
How often should I have a check-up?
Most adults are advised to attend every 6–24 months depending on their oral health; your dentist will set an interval. Regular check-ups are the cheapest way to catch problems before they need bigger, costlier treatment.
NHS charge: NHS England Band 1, 2026. Private ranges from UK practice fee guides, 2026. General information, not clinical advice.