How much is a dentist check-up in the UK?

At Toothi London, a private dental check-up costs £55 and includes an oral cancer screening. Children aged 5 to 15 are £30, and under-fives are seen free when a parent or guardian attends the practice. X-rays are £15 each when needed. On the NHS in England, a check-up is a Band 1 treatment, which costs £27.90. Below we explain what a check-up involves, how often to have one and how NHS and private check-ups compare.

Our full price list is on our fees page. Hygiene appointments are separate from the check-up, so you can choose whether to book them together.

X-rays are only taken when there is a clinical reason, such as checking between teeth for decay or looking at the bone around a tooth. Your dentist will tell you before taking any. Any treatment found at your check-up is priced in a written plan before it starts.

Toothi is a fully private practice and does not provide NHS treatment. These are the official NHS charges in England from 1 April 2026.

NHS Band 1 covers an examination, diagnosis and advice, plus x-rays and a scale and polish where clinically needed. NHS dental care is free for under-18s and for some adults, such as those who are pregnant or receiving certain benefits. Private check-up prices vary between practices, and what is included varies too, so compare published price lists carefully. Our NHS vs private dentist cost guide covers this in more depth.

A check-up is more than a quick look at your teeth. At Toothi, it typically follows these steps.

Read more about our dental examinations in Edgware.

• ✓  Age. Children 5 to 15 are £30, and under-fives are free when a parent or guardian attends the practice.
• ✓  X-rays. If your dentist needs x-rays, they are £15 each. Not every check-up needs them.
• ✓  Hygiene. A scale and polish is a separate appointment at £70 or £125, depending on length and whether Airflow is used.
• ✓  Pain or a problem. If you have toothache or a broken tooth, an emergency appointment (£65) is designed to assess and treat that problem promptly.

The right interval depends on your mouth. National guidance in the UK suggests intervals ranging from every 3 months for people at higher risk of problems up to 2 years for adults with very healthy teeth and gums, and up to 1 year for children. Many people are seen every six to twelve months.

Your dentist will recommend an interval based on your history of decay and gum disease, your general health and your habits.

If you have an NHS dentist, Band 1 is good value, and there is no clinical reason to switch. Many people choose a private check-up because they cannot find an NHS dentist accepting new patients, want more time in the appointment, or want flexible times, including weekends. Toothi is open seven days.

Whichever route you take, regular check-ups are one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth. Problems caught early, such as small areas of decay or early gum disease, are usually easier and less costly to treat than those found later. If you are new to us, our new patients page explains what to expect.