How much is a dental check-up in the UK? (2026 price guide)
A private dental check-up in the UK typically costs £65, ranging from £25 to £250 across the 452 clinics we track. That’s the spread for someone having a look in your mouth for ten minutes. Your first “new-patient” exam sits at the pricey end – it’s longer and usually throws in X-rays – while a routine review is cheaper. On the NHS it’s a flat Band 1 charge. Here’s what you’re actually paying for, and how to stop overpaying for it.
New-patient exam vs routine check-up
People say “check-up” to mean two different things, and clinics charge two different prices for them:
- New-patient exam – your first visit to a practice. Longer, more thorough, and usually with X-rays. This is the dear one.
- Routine check-up – the regular once-over for an existing patient. Quicker, and easier on your wallet.
Here’s the catch: a check-up is just the exam. A scale and polish (the actual clean) is usually a separate hygienist appointment with its own fee, so don’t assume a shiny clean is thrown in.
What’s included
- A proper look at your teeth, gums and bite.
- An oral cancer screening (genuinely worth having).
- X-rays – sometimes included, sometimes bolted on as an extra.
- A treatment plan if anything needs fixing.
Does where you live change the price?
Massively. A routine check-up in a big city can cost more than a full new-patient exam in a smaller town – same job, different postcode. The cheapest city we currently track is London (from £25). Compare prices near you:
| City | From | Typical | Clinics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £25 | £68 | 165 | Compare |
| Manchester | £35 | £65 | 28 | Compare |
| Birmingham | £35 | £55 | 23 | Compare |
| Liverpool | £45 | £60 | 17 | Compare |
| Edinburgh | £30 | £69 | 14 | Compare |
| Bristol | £30 | £56 | 13 | Compare |
| Glasgow | £25 | £52.47 | 13 | Compare |
| Ipswich | £44 | £69 | 11 | Compare |
| Leicester | £30 | £50 | 11 | Compare |
| Cardiff | £27 | £64.75 | 10 | Compare |
| Cambridge | £25 | £90 | 9 | Compare |
| Coventry | £45 | £60 | 9 | Compare |
| Leeds | £35 | £49 | 9 | Compare |
| Milton Keynes | £25 | £55 | 9 | Compare |
| Norwich | £40 | £65 | 9 | Compare |
| Nottingham | £40 | £65 | 9 | Compare |
| Plymouth | £39.50 | £65 | 9 | Compare |
| Reading | £50 | £68 | 9 | Compare |
| Southampton | £45 | £60 | 9 | Compare |
| Derby | £50 | £56 | 8 | Compare |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | £60 | £67.75 | 8 | Compare |
| Swansea | £52 | £62.50 | 8 | Compare |
| Wolverhampton | £41 | £54 | 7 | Compare |
| Bournemouth | £49 | £63 | 6 | Compare |
| Hull | £39 | £60 | 5 | Compare |
| Luton | £38 | £60 | 5 | Compare |
| Portsmouth | £50 | £70 | 5 | Compare |
| Sheffield | £50 | £69 | 5 | Compare |
| Stoke-on-Trent | £45 | £55 | 5 | Compare |
| Oxford | £50 | £55.50 | 4 | Compare |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
NHS vs private
On the NHS in England a check-up is a fixed Band 1 charge – and free if you’re exempt. The snag is finding a dentist taking NHS patients, since loads of practices have quietly shut their NHS lists. Private costs more per visit, but you get faster access, longer appointments and slots that fit your life. Neither is “better dentistry” – you’re really paying for access and time, not a fancier look in your mouth.
How often do you need one?
Most people want a check-up every 6 to 12 months – your dentist will set the exact gap based on your risk. Honestly, regular visits are the cheapest dentistry going: a tiny problem caught now beats a scary bill later. If the exam turns something up, the usual next steps are a crown, a filling, or in some cases a tooth extraction.
How to avoid overpaying
- Ask if X-rays are included before you agree to the quoted price.
- Hunt for new-patient packages – some practices bundle the exam, X-rays and a clean into one price.
- Think about a monthly dental plan if you’re a regular – it can beat paying per visit.
- Shop around locally – the gap between the cheapest and dearest we track is £225. For a look in your mouth.
- Don’t skip it to save a few quid – prevention is always cheaper than the treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental check-up cost in the UK?
Privately, usually £25–£250, with a typical price of £65. Your first new-patient exam sits at the top end; routine reviews are cheaper. On the NHS it’s a fixed Band 1 charge.
Is a scale and polish included in a check-up?
Usually not. The check-up is just the exam, and a clean with the hygienist is normally a separate appointment with its own fee. Always ask.
How often should I have a dental check-up?
Typically every 6 to 12 months, depending on your dentist’s advice and how prone you are to problems.
Is a dental check-up free on the NHS?
It’s a fixed Band 1 charge in England, and genuinely free if you qualify for help with NHS dental costs.
Ready to compare? See dental check-up prices by clinic, or browse all UK clinics that show their prices up front – no “call for a quote”.
