NHS patient charges in England are increasing by an average of 1.7% from 1 April 2026. A band 1 check-up will cost £27.90 instead of £27.40, a band 2 filling will rise from £75.30 to £76.60, and a band 3 treatment like dentures will increase from £326.70 to £332.10. The British Dental Association has criticized the increase as a 'stealth cut' that provides no additional funding to NHS dentistry.

Why the BDA opposes the charge rise

The BDA argues the increase highlights inconsistency in government policy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has frozen prescription charges to prevent patients avoiding medication due to cost, but oral health has not received the same protection. The BDA notes that NHS dentistry's budget has remained effectively static at around £3 billion for 15 years, with patient charges now forming an ever-greater share of total funding. If government contributions had risen at the same rate as patient charges since 2010, the BDA states there would be sufficient resources to eliminate unmet dental need in England, which affects nearly 14 million adults.

Impact on patient access to care

Polling by YouGov for the BDA in 2023 found that 23% of respondents in England delayed or went without NHS dental treatment because of cost. A further 45% said the price influenced which treatment they chose. Shiv Pabary, Chair of the BDA's General Dental Practice Committee, called the rise 'a slap in the face to millions on modest incomes' and noted that pensioners will pay an extra five pounds towards dentures. The BDA also highlighted that entitlements to free care remain complex and limited, with many Universal Credit recipients ineligible for assistance.