NHS vs private dentist: your options
Quick answer
NHS vs private dentist: what is the difference and what does it cost?
NHS dental treatment in England is charged in three fixed bands — £27.90 for a check-up, £76.60 for fillings or extractions, £332.10 for crowns and dentures — but finding an NHS practice with space has become genuinely difficult, with nearly 600 practices in England leaving NHS dentistry over the past decade.
Private care costs more per item (a routine examination at York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet is £52) but buys longer appointments, wider materials and cosmetic options, and a membership plan from £22.99 a month spreads the cost.
| Treatment | NHS (England, 2026) | Private at York House |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up | £27.90 (Band 1) | £52 |
| Fillings and extractions | £76.60 (Band 2) | White fillings from £175; extractions from £190 |
| Crowns and dentures | £332.10 (Band 3) | Crowns from £795; dentures from £695 |
| Hygiene visit | Included where clinically necessary | £77 (30 minutes) |
| Urgent appointment | £27.90 | From £78, same-day |
| Whitening, veneers, implants | Not available on the NHS | Whitening from £425; veneers from £850; implants from £2,500 |
What does NHS dental treatment cover and cost?
The NHS covers clinically necessary treatment at fixed prices, and it is free for under-18s, during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth, and on qualifying benefits. What it does not cover is cosmetic dentistry — whitening, veneers, white fillings in back teeth, implants — and NHS appointments are increasingly scarce: BBC reporting has documented practices closing lists across England, including in Surrey.
What does private dental care cost?
Private treatment is priced per item and published in advance. At York House that means a £52 examination, hygienist visits from £77, white fillings from £175, and the full range of implants, Invisalign and whitening on the same fee sheet — see the pricing page for everything, with 0% finance for larger plans.
How can you make dental care more affordable?
If NHS access has left you waiting, private care can still be predictable: the membership plan (from £22.99 a month) includes your check-ups, hygiene visits, X-rays, emergency appointments and 10% off most treatment — often less per month than people assume. New patients start with a £65 consultation, and our new patient page explains what happens at the first visit.
Care at York House Dental Practice
Welcoming new patients, families and emergency appointments from West Byfleet, Woking, Weybridge, and across Surrey.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
