# Are NHS dental charges different in Scotland and Wales?

Source: https://thelocaldentist.co.uk/answers/are-nhs-dental-charges-different-in-scotland-and-wales/
Updated: 2026-07-13

## Quick answer

Yes. Since April 2026, Wales no longer uses England's band system — it charges a fixed fee per care package depending on the treatment provided, from £25 for a recall exam up to £140.44 for a crown, with a £384 cap per course. Scotland and Northern Ireland use a different system entirely — you pay 80% of the cost of each treatment item, capped at £384 per course — and NHS dental examinations are free in Scotland.

## Key facts

- England bands (2026/27): £27.90 / £76.60 / £332.10
- Wales (from April 2026): fixed fee per care package, from £25 for a recall exam to £140.44 for a crown, capped at £384 per course
- Scotland & NI: 80% of each item's cost, capped at £384 per course
- NHS dental examinations are free for everyone in Scotland
- The system that applies is where you are treated, not where you live
- Exemptions (under-18, maternity, low income, benefits) exist in all four nations

Editorial content from The Local Dentist — not clinical advice.