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Compare dental hygienist prices — scale and polish, stain removal and gum health appointments, what's included, and NHS vs private options.
A hygienist appointment is a professional clean and gum-health session: plaque and tartar (calculus) are removed above and below the gum line, staining is polished away — many practices use air-polishing systems for stubborn tea, coffee and tobacco stains — and you get tailored advice on brushing and interdental cleaning. Private hygienist visits typically cost £55–£120 for 30–45 minutes, and most people benefit from one or two a year; people with gum disease may need more frequent, longer appointments. On the NHS, a scale and polish is only provided within a course of treatment when clinically necessary (Band 1, £27.90 in England) — routine cosmetic cleaning isn't an NHS service, which is why hygiene is one of the most common private purchases even among NHS patients. Hygienists and dental therapists are GDC-registered professionals, and under direct access rules many practices let you book a hygienist without seeing the dentist first.
Typical cost
£55 – £120
Ratings and rankings are our editorial opinion, based on our published methodology — they are not dental advice and practices cannot pay to change a score. Where a practice has no reviews we show "Not yet rated" — we never invent scores. Listings labelled Featured or Referral partner are paid placements; payment affects visibility only, never ratings or match results. We may receive a fee when you send a private-treatment enquiry. Private treatment prices are indicative — always confirm directly with the practice.
Dental Practice · Bollington · SK10 5EJ · CQC-registered practice
Not Yet Rated
Independent, family-run dental practice in Bollington, established in 1977.
New patient exam £89
Includes X-rays
Dental Practice · Croydon · CR0 2GE · CQC-registered practice
Not Yet Rated
Private dental care in Croydon, with new patient examinations from £25.
New patient exam from £25
Introductory offer; examination and X-rays if required. Confirm eligibility and current price.
Dental Practice · Harrow · HA1 1BE · CQC-registered practice
Not Yet Rated
Dental implants, emergency appointments and cosmetic dentistry in Harrow.
Ask for treatment fees
Dental Practice · London · SW18 4SX · CQC-registered practice
Not Yet Rated
NHS and private dental care on Garratt Lane, Earlsfield.
Ask for treatment fees
Not Yet Rated
CQC-registered Thousand Smiles practice offering dental implants in Earls Court.
Ask for treatment fees
Dental Practice · London · W1G 7LE · CQC-registered practice
Not Yet Rated
CQC-registered dental practice in London.
Ask for treatment fees
Dental Practice · Prescot · L35 5AF · CQC-registered practice
Not Yet Rated
CQC-registered dental practice in Prescot.
Ask for treatment fees
Not Yet Rated
CQC-registered dental practice in London.
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Not Yet Rated
CQC-registered dental practice in Hessle.
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Showing nine of 1,480 practices. See every matching practice and filter by town or postcode.
Typically £55–£120 privately, depending on the practice, the length of the appointment and whether air-polishing stain removal is included. Longer periodontal (gum disease) appointments cost more. Dental payment plans often include one or two hygiene visits a year.
Only when it's clinically necessary as part of a course of treatment — it's then included in the band charge (Band 1, £27.90 in England). Cleaning for purely cosmetic reasons, such as stain removal, isn't available on the NHS, so most stain-removal and routine hygiene appointments are private.
Often not. 'Direct access' rules let hygienists and therapists see patients without a dentist's prescription at many practices, though some still require you to be a registered patient or have had a recent examination. Check when booking.
Once or twice a year suits most people with healthy gums. If you have gum disease, your dentist or hygienist may recommend visits every 3 months. Smokers, people with diabetes and those prone to heavy tartar build-up usually benefit from more frequent visits — ask your dental team what's right for you.
It shouldn't be painful, though it can feel scratchy or sensitive, especially with heavy tartar or inflamed gums. Tell the hygienist if you're uncomfortable — topical numbing gel is available, and sensitivity normally settles within a day or two.
No — a hygienist clean removes surface staining, which can make teeth look noticeably brighter, but it doesn't change the underlying tooth shade. Actual whitening uses bleaching gels and may legally only be carried out by GDC-registered dental professionals.