Guide · NHS & private care

NHS vs private dentistry in Scotland — what’s the difference?

Scotland’s NHS dental system is different from England’s — and better in some ways that surprise people. As a mixed NHS and private practice, we see both sides every day. Here is how the two actually compare, and why you don’t have to pick a side.

How NHS dentistry works in Scotland

• Examinations are free — for everyone in Scotland, not just exempt groups.
• You pay 80% of the NHS fee for each item of treatment, capped at £384 per course of treatment — anything beyond that is covered by the NHS.
• Many people pay nothing at all — under-26s, pregnant women and new mothers, and people on certain benefits are exempt.
• Larger plans are pre-approved — treatment plans worth more than £660 go to the NHS for approval before anything begins, so costs are never a surprise.
• At our practice, booking an NHS appointment takes a £10 appointment-holding fee, credited against your treatment or refunded in full if none is needed or you are exempt.

What NHS treatment covers — and where private comes in

NHS dentistry is designed to keep your mouth healthy: examinations, fillings, extractions, root canal treatment, dentures and other clinically necessary care — including inlays and onlays where appropriate. What it generally does not fund is treatment chosen for appearance:

• Teeth straightening for cosmetic reasons (Invisalign is private)
• Teeth whitening, composite bonding and veneers
• Dental implants, in most circumstances
• Cosmetic upgrades to otherwise sound NHS options — for example, choosing a white filling in a back tooth

The part most people don’t know: you can mix them

In Scotland you are entitled to combine NHS and private dentistry in a hybrid treatment plan. Your check-ups, hygiene and health-focused care can stay on the NHS, while you choose private options where they matter to you — whitening alongside an NHS course of treatment, or Invisalign while remaining an NHS patient. At City Dental Care your dentist will always tell you what NHS Scotland covers, and what you could choose to have privately alongside it — the choice stays yours.

Spreading the cost of private choices

Private treatment from £250 up to £5,000 can be spread over 2 to 12 months at 0% interest, with part-financing above £5,000 — see payment plans and finance. There are also Practice Plan memberships that bundle routine private care into a monthly amount.