NHS Dental Charges in Northern Ireland
Understand how much you'll pay for NHS dental treatment
How NHS Charges Work in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, patients pay 80% of the treatment cost, with the NHS covering 20%. However, your payment for any single course of treatment is capped at £384.
How it works:
- Your dentist provides treatment and estimates the cost
- You pay 80% of that cost (up to the £384 maximum per course)
- Each new course of treatment has its own £384 cap
Who Qualifies for Exemptions?
Some patients don't pay the full amount or pay nothing. You may be exempt or get help paying if you:
Fully Exempt (Pay Nothing)
- Are under 18 years old
- Are 18 and in full-time education
- Are pregnant
- Had a baby in the last 12 months (post-natal period)
Eligible for Help with Costs
You may qualify for help paying if you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits:
- Income Support: Automatic help
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): Automatic help
- Universal Credit: Help if you have nil earnings
- Pension Credit Guarantee: Automatic help
- HC2 Certificate: Full help (no charge)
- HC3 Certificate: Partial help (reduced charges)
To apply for help: Ask your dentist, contact your local Social Security office, or visit the NI Direct website.
Exemption Checker
Quick Check: Are You Likely Exempt?
Answer the questions below to see if you might qualify for help:
Common Treatment Costs (Approximate)
Note: These are approximate NHS fees in Northern Ireland for 2024-25. Actual costs depend on your treatment plan and the specific practice. Always ask your dentist for an estimate before treatment.
| Treatment | Approximate NHS Fee | Your Cost (80%, max £384 per course) |
|---|---|---|
| Examination & check-up | £18 | ~£14.40 |
| Scale & polish (cleaning) | £12 | ~£9.60 |
| X-ray (single) | £8–15 | ~£6.40–12 |
| Filling (1 surface) | £25–40 | ~£20–32 |
| Filling (2+ surfaces) | £50–80 | ~£40–64 |
| Tooth extraction | £25–50 | ~£20–40 |
| Root canal treatment | £100–150 | ~£80–120 |
| Crown (tooth cap) | £180–250 | ~£144–200 (often exceeds cap) |
| Denture (partial or full) | £150–400 | ~£120–320 (often exceeds cap) |
| Scaling & root planing (gum disease) | £60–100 | ~£48–80 |
Important: These are estimates based on typical NHS fee scales. Actual costs vary depending on:
- The complexity of your treatment
- The specific practice (fees may vary slightly)
- Whether you need emergency or out-of-hours treatment (costs may be higher)
The Course of Treatment Cap Explained
Example: You receive the following treatments as part of one course of treatment:
- Examination: £18 → You pay £14.40
- Scale & polish: £12 → You pay £9.60
- Filling: £40 → You pay £32
- Crown: £200 → You pay £160
Total NHS cost: £270 | Your cost (80%): £216
Another example with cap applied: You need a crown (£250) and root canal (£150) as part of one course of treatment:
- Root canal (£150) → You pay £120
- Crown (£250) → You pay £200
Total would be £320 (80% of £400), but your cap is £384 per course, so you pay £320.
Important: The £384 cap applies to each individual course of treatment, not across a calendar year. If you have another separate course of treatment later (for a different issue or at a different time), that course has its own £384 cap.
Private vs NHS Charges
NHS Dentist
- Pay 80% of cost (max £384 per course)
- Access to emergency services
- Regulated by BSO and GDC
- Same clinical standards as private
- Longer waiting times possible
Private Dentist
- Pay full cost (no cap)
- Potentially shorter waiting times
- Access to cosmetic treatments
- May offer payment plans
- Usually more expensive overall
Special Situations
Emergency Out-of-Hours Treatment
Treatment received at out-of-hours clinics (evenings, weekends, bank holidays) may have additional charges or may be provided at private rates.
Cosmetic or Elective Treatments
Some treatments (teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, etc.) are not available on the NHS and must be paid for privately in full.
Orthodontics (Braces)
NHS orthodontics are very limited and mainly for children with severe misalignment. Adult orthodontics are usually private and expensive (£2,000–£8,000).
Dental Implants
Dental implants are not available on the NHS in Northern Ireland. They must be obtained privately (£1,500–£3,500+ per implant).
Paying Your Bill
Most NHS practices in Northern Ireland accept:
- Cash
- Debit cards
- Credit cards (may be accepted)
- Cheques (less common)
Ask your dentist about payment options, payment plans, or whether they offer care plans or membership schemes.
Still Have Questions?
Contact:
- Your dentist: Ask for an estimate before treatment
- Business Services Organisation (BSO): bso.org.uk — official NHS dental information
- NI Direct: nidirect.gov.uk — help with costs eligibility
- Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk — free independent advice