Dental Charges Increase In Scotland From 1 November 2023

30th October 2023

From 1 November 2023, if you pay for your NHS dental treatment you may notice an increase in treatment charges. These increases are necessary to ensure that we are able to continue to provide NHS dental services and reflect the increase in cost of delivering the care required for patients.

The changes mean that the 60% of patients who are required to contribute towards the cost of NHS dental treatment will see prices increase from 1st November 2023

NHS dental teams will receive increased fees under a new payment structure which will help them to provide enhanced NHS care and treatment.

Developed in partnership with the dental sector and as part of the Oral Health Improvement Plan, the reforms also include an additional £10 million from the Scottish Government to support the delivery of laboratory-based treatment items, such as dentures.

The updated system will drive greater consideration of patients' specific oral health needs, with more focus on patient-centred care such as preventative periodontal - gum disease – treatment.

For dentists it will streamline Item of Service payments by reducing the numbers of fees from over 700 to 45, cutting bureaucracy and giving them greater authority over the treatments offered.

While patients that are required to pay a NHS charge are likely to see an increase in costs, this will be dependent on overall treatment plan. Around 40% of patients will continue to receive free NHS care and treatment, as they did under the previous arrangements.

Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free NHS dental examinations (including review examinations). For some patients all treatment is completely free.

Following a dental examination, the dentist will advise you of any treatment you require and the likely cost. They must also provide an itemised account, if requested.

As before, NHS patients who pay for their treatment pay 80% of the treatment costs. This continues to be capped at a maximum of £384 per course of treatment. Any costs over this maximum continues to be fully subsidised by the NHS. You will never pay more than £384 per course of treatment. The vast majority of patients will pay much less than this cost.

A dentist can ask for payment in advance. They can also charge a patient if they fail to attend for an appointment without giving due notice.

Who is entitled to free treatment on the NHS?
NHS treatment is free for:

everyone aged under 26
people who are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months
those with certificated exemption from patient charge because of income or receipt of certain benefits
If you are exempt from patient charges during a course of treatment, tell the dentist and ensure that you bring the evidence with you.

Around 40% of all patients are exempt from paying a contribution towards the cost of their NHS dental care.

NHS Low Income Scheme

Others may be entitled to dental treatment at a reduced cost through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). The LIS helps towards some or all of the cost of NHS patient charges for those who are not automatically entitled to free treatment, who may have difficulty in paying. Help under the scheme is income-related and based on an assessment of each person's ability to pay.

Read our help with health costs guide to find out if you are eligible for free or reduced cost NHS dental treatment.

What is prior approval?
Your dentist may inform you that they have to apply for prior approval before your treatment can be started. Dentists are required to seek approval from the NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) Practitioner Services, for certain treatments and/or treatment plans of high value. This process may take a little time and delay your treatment slightly.

Are all treatments available on the NHS?
Not all clinical procedures performed by dentists are available on the NHS. Procedures which are cosmetic or aesthetic in nature are usually only available privately. For example, white fillings, tooth whitening or dental implants.

Your dentist will be able to explain what treatment is and isn't allowed on the NHS. If, for example, you wish to mix NHS and private treatment on the one tooth, such as an NHS root canal treatment with a private white filling, then this is allowed. Your dentist can provide you with an estimate of costs involved.

The time for check ups is also being increased for many patients from 6 month to 12 months. This can vary depending on your dental health.

To see the list of charges go HERE