NHS Services & Rules
What is FP17 NHS dental activity?
By The Local Dentist Editorial · Updated 13 August 2026
How The Local Dentist uses it
Where we show NHS activity on a profile, it comes from NHSBSA open data with the month attached. We never invent activity. Always confirm new-patient status on nhs.uk or by calling the practice.
What FP17 data cannot tell you
A month of delivered NHS activity means the practice claimed NHS work; it does not mean the waiting room has space tomorrow. It also does not set your patient charge — you still pay the published band or you are exempt. We match NHSBSA open data to listings only on a high-confidence postcode or name match, and we skip ambiguous rows. If a profile says “Ask”, we do not have that evidence yet. Always confirm new patients on nhs.uk and by phone.
People Also Ask
Does FP17 data exist for Scotland and Wales?
The FP17 open data pathway described here is England-focused. Devolved nations use different contracting and data releases — we label nation-specific sources when we have them.
Is FP17 the same as being registered with a dentist?
No. There is no GP-style NHS dental registration. FP17 records activity for a course of treatment, not a lifelong patient list.
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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.