Cost of NHS dental treatment in Wales to rise in April

The cost of NHS dental treatment in Wales is set to increase next month.

From April 1, the three standard charges will increase to between £20.00 and £260.000 depending on the treatment required, and urgent treatment will increase to £30.

The rise in dental charges are the first in four years, with the Welsh Government stating that any revenue generated from the increased charges will be “re-invested back into NHS dentistry services.”

Around 50% of people receive NHS dental treatment for free in Wales. Those eligible for free treatment include children under 18 or those aged 18 and in full time education, pregnant women or those who have had a baby within the 12 months of treatment starting, anyone who has dentistry treatment carried out in a hospital or people on certain benefits.

Additionally, the low-income scheme provides full, or partial help, with health costs, depending on individual circumstances.

From April 1 a band one treatment (examination, x-rays, scale & polish) will rise from £14.70 to £20 while a band two treatment (fillings, extractions, root canal treatment) will increase from £47 to £60.

A band three treatment (crowns, dentures and bridges) will go from £203 to £260.

Urgent and out of hours will treatment will increase from £14.70 to £30.

Changes to the dentistry contract in Wales include a requirement for NHS practices to see new patients. Since this was introduced in April 2022, 312,000 people who couldn’t get an appointment before have now received NHS dental treatment.

Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care, Eluned Morgan, said: “Because of the extreme pressure on our budget we have had to consider if additional funding should be raised by increasing dentistry charges.

“This is the first increase we have made to dentistry charges since 2020.

“Around half of patients don’t pay for their NHS dental treatment and we will continue to protect those that are least able to afford to pay.

“It is vital we all keep our teeth and gums healthy.

“This is why we are working to make it easier for people to see an NHS dentist by increasing the number of new NHS places and helping dentists to focus on those who need help by changing how often we see a dentist for routine appointments.”

All health boards have arrangements in place to provide emergency dental treatment, advice and support.

People seeking treatment should contact the dental helpline or NHS 111 and they will be able to be assessed whether urgent treatment is needed, or whether the patient can be seen at the next earliest opportunity during normal hours.

More information on dental charges and exemptions can be found here. The NHS online checker can also provide information on if someone is entitled to help with dentistry costs. .