Many people in Scotland are unsure whether they need to pay for dental treatment or whether it is free. The answer depends on the type of treatment you need and whether you qualify for an exemption. Here is everything you need to know.
NHS Dental Treatment in Scotland
In Scotland, dental care is provided through the National Health Service (NHS). The Scottish Government subsidises the cost of most dental treatments, meaning patients pay significantly less than they would at a private dentist. The NHS covers a wide range of treatments, including checkups, fillings, extractions, root canal treatment, crowns, dentures, and more.
What Is Completely Free?
NHS dental check-ups are completely free for all patients registered with an NHS dentist in Scotland. This means you can have your teeth examined as part of a comprehensive dental and oral examination, including full assessment and appropriate treatment advice; however, any radiographs taken may incur a small additional charge.
Some patients are also entitled to completely free dental treatment for all procedures, not just checkups. This includes patients who are under 26 years old, pregnant, or who have had a baby in the last 12 months, as well as those who receive certain income-based benefits.
What About Other Treatments?
For patients who do not qualify for free treatment, NHS dental care in Scotland is still heavily subsidised. Patients pay 80% of the cost of treatment up to a maximum cap per course of treatment. This means even complex treatment is significantly cheaper than going private. For the current NHS dental charge schedule in Scotland, visit the NHS Inform dental charges page.
Private Dentistry
Private dental treatment is not funded by the NHS. Patients pay the full cost themselves, which can be significantly higher. However, private dentists may offer a wider range of cosmetic treatments and shorter waiting times.
GK Dental Hawick — NHS and Private
At GKDental in Hawick, we offer both NHS and private dental care to patients across the Scottish Borders. We are currently welcoming new NHS patients, which means you can access subsidised dental care — including free checkups — right here in Hawick.
