Dental charge hike: a kick in the teeth for millions on modest incomes

The British Dental Association has slammed the latest increase in NHS patient charges, stressing these ‘stealth cuts’ will not put a penny into the cash-strapped service.[1]

Charges in England will rise by an average of 1.7% from 1 April 2026. This will mean the cost of a band 1 treatment like a check-up will increase from £27.40 to £27.90, a band 2 like a filling will increase from £75.30 to £76.60, and a band 3 like dentures will increase from £326.70 to £332.10.

PM Keir Starmer recently claimed “we are supporting families and putting money back in your pocket” by freezing in prescription charges, stating that “no one’s health should be put at risk because they can’t afford medication.” The BDA have blasted the failure to apply this logic to oral health.

While below the level of inflation, the BDA has noted the Government is aping its Conservative predecessor’s using increase in charges as a substitute for state investment. NHS dentistry’s budget has been effectively static in cash terms at around £3bn for fifteen years, with patient charges forming an ever-greater share of the total pot until COVID. [2]

The BDA note that if government contributions had risen at same rate as patient charges since 2010, there would now be sufficient resource in the pot to eliminate unmet need for dental care in England, which now stands at nearly 14 million adults. [3]
 

Polling conducted by YouGov for the BDA in 2023 found nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents in England delayed or went without NHS dental treatment for reasons of cost. 45% said the price shaped the choice of treatment they opted for.
 

Entitlements to free care are complex and limited, with many Universal Credit recipients not eligible.
 

Shiv Pabary, Chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee, said:

“This hike is a slap in the face to millions on modest incomes.

“It won’t put a penny into a service on its knees. Patients will pay more, simply so Ministers can pay less.

“The Prime Minister claims he wants to ‘put money back into voters’ pockets.’
 

“He needs to explain these choices to the pensioners who will pay an extra fiver towards their next set of dentures.”