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Patients across England will face higher dental charges from the beginning of next month as part of a nationwide increase. From April 1, 2026, NHS dental fees will rise by an average of 1.7%.

Under the new pricing structure, band one treatment will increase by 50p, from £27.40 to £27.90. Band one dental care encompasses routine, preventative, and diagnostic procedures, including examinations, diagnosis, advice, x-rays, fluoride varnish, and fissure sealants.

Band two will see a £1.30 increase, moving from £75.30 to £76.60. Band two treatment includes everything covered in band one, plus fillings, root canal treatments, tooth extractions, sealants, denture adjustments, and advanced gum disease treatment.

Band three will rise by £5.40, increasing from £326.70 to £332.10. Band three encompasses band one and band two services, alongside additional treatments such as dentures, fixed replacements for missing teeth, braces, crowns, and inlays and onlays to restore damaged teeth, reports the Mirror.

A statement on Parliament UK reads: "NHS dental patient charges provide an important revenue source for NHS dentistry and are typically uplifted on 1 April each financial year. We uplift the rate at the same point each year and for the 2026/27 financial year, the charges will be uplifted by approximately 1.66%, which is now a below-inflation increase.

Dental patients will benefit from the continued provision that this important revenue supports." The statement added: "We will continue to provide financial support to those who need it most through a range of dental charge exemptions". Patients remain exempt if they are:

• under 18, or under 19 and in fulltime education
• pregnant or had a baby in the previous 12 months
• being treated in an NHS hospital, and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist (patients may have to pay for any dentures or bridges)
• receiving low-income benefits, or you're under 20 and a dependant of someone receiving low-income benefits.

Certain dental procedures are provided free of charge in specific situations. You won't be charged if you're having stitches removed, your dentist has to stop bleeding from your mouth, for example, after a tooth extraction, and if your false teeth (dentures) need to be repaired, but if they cannot be repaired, you'll have to pay for new ones.

The April 1 rise arrives as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced last month the Government would be freezing prescription charges. He said: "No one's health should be put at risk because they can't afford medication.

"That's why we're freezing prescription charges for the second year in a row. There's more to do - but we are supporting families and putting money back in your pocket."

The rise in NHS dental patient charges has been condemned by the British Dental Association (BDA). The organisation branded the fee changes as a "slap in the face".

Shiv Pabary, Chair of the British Dental Association's General Dental Practice Committee, said: "This hike is a slap in the face to millions on modest incomes. It won't put a penny into a service on its knees.

"Patients will pay more, simply so Ministers can pay less. The Prime Minister claims he wants to 'put money back into voters' pockets'. He needs to explain these choices to the pensioners who will pay an extra fiver towards their next set of dentures."