Costs & Charges
What does NHS Band 3 cover?
By The Local Dentist Editorial · Updated 17 July 2026
What is included in Band 3
Band 3 is for courses that need laboratory work: crowns, bridges, dentures and similar restorations. The single £332.10 charge also covers examinations, X-rays, fillings or extractions done in the same course — you are not charged Band 1 and Band 2 on top.
Wales and the rest of the UK
Wales abolished bands on 1 April 2026. A crown, bridge, inlay, onlay or veneer care package is £140.44, with a £384 cap per course. Scotland and Northern Ireland charge 80% of each item’s NHS fee, capped at £384, and NHS dental examinations are free in Scotland.
People Also Ask
Do I pay Band 3 for each crown?
No in England — one Band 3 charge covers the whole course, even if more than one crown is planned in that course. Always confirm the written treatment plan before work starts.
Is Band 3 the same in Wales?
No. Wales no longer uses bands. Crown and bridge work is a fixed care-package fee (£140.44), not the England Band 3 amount.
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This article is general information for UK patients, not clinical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on nhs.uk or speak to a dentist before acting. For severe facial swelling affecting breathing/swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or trauma call 999 / go to A&E; otherwise NHS 111 for urgent dental access. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our methodology.