{"id":178,"date":"2026-10-28T01:36:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T01:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/private-vs-nhs-dentist\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T01:46:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T01:46:50","slug":"private-vs-nhs-dentist","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/private-vs-nhs-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Private dentist or NHS: what you pay and what you get"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\"><link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin><link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500;600;700&#038;family=Petrona:wght@400&#038;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\"><style>\n*{box-sizing:border-box}body{margin:0!important;padding:0!important;background:#FBF8F2!important}.am-shell *{box-sizing:border-box}.am-shell h1,.am-shell h2,.am-shell h3,.am-shell p{margin:0}.am-shell{--am-spring:linear(0,0.02397183098942321,0.08227928876305299,0.15938008366119719,0.24475904038780003,0.3314992620885192,0.41523231446840553,0.49337112547293493,0.5645530561301163,0.6282386203235306,0.6844249788394996,0.7334436495091939,0.7758196585994069,0.8121752183487257,0.8431654168276101,0.8694367036279702,0.8916014181145665,0.9102234412355851,0.9258114129090486,0.9388169627896857,0.9496361420659217,0.958612785268047,0.9660429247047818,0.9721796643006897,0.97723812294732,0.9814002014517749,0.9848190277625796,0.9876230042638157,0.9899194273587346,0.9917976798049044,0.9933320150768031,0.9945839638926273,0.995604398466993,0.9964352918494598,0.9971112091684025,0.9976605656268063,0.9981066833191204,0.9984686757832122,0.9987621859514277,1);width:100vw;margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw);overflow-x:clip;color:#2a231d;background:#FFFEFC;font:400 18px\/32.4px 'DM Sans','Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased}.am-shell img{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover}.am-wrap{width:min(1320px,calc(100% - 104px));margin-inline:auto}.am-header{height:96px;position:relative;z-index:10;background:#FFFEFC}.am-header-inner{height:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:42px}.am-logo{color:#2a231d;font:400 28px\/1 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;letter-spacing:-.7px;text-decoration:none}.am-logo b{color:#c58238;font-weight:400}.am-nav{margin-left:auto;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:32px}.am-nav a{color:#2a231d;text-decoration:none}.am-nav .am-square-action,.am-menu-links .am-square-action{color:#FFFEFC}.am-square-action{min-height:48px;padding:14px 28px;border:0;border-radius:0;display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;color:#FFFEFC;background:#211B18;font:600 16px\/20px 'DM Sans','Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;text-decoration:none}.am-menu{display:none;margin-left:auto;position:relative}.am-menu summary{width:44px;height:44px;display:grid;place-items:center;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;font-size:24px}.am-menu summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}.am-menu-links{width:220px;padding:20px;position:absolute;right:0;top:50px;display:grid;gap:13px;background:#FFFEFC}.am-menu-links a{color:#2a231d;text-decoration:none}.am-hero{min-height:880px;position:relative;overflow:hidden;background:#F3EEE6}.am-hero-backdrop{position:absolute;inset:0}.am-hero-backdrop::after{content:\"\";position:absolute;inset:0;background:linear-gradient(90deg,#FFFEFC 3%,color-mix(in srgb,#FFFEFC 91%,transparent) 38%,color-mix(in srgb,#FFFEFC 24%,transparent) 76%,transparent)}.am-hero-inner{min-height:880px;padding:116px 0 100px;position:relative;z-index:2;display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,720px) 312px;gap:calc(100% - 1032px);align-items:center}.am-hero-copy{align-self:start;padding-top:22px}.am-eyebrow{font-size:20px;line-height:31.6px;font-weight:500}.am-hero h1{margin-top:18px;font:400 84px\/90.72px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;letter-spacing:-2px}.am-char-stream{display:block;max-width:12ch}.am-char{display:inline-block}.am-char.am-gap{margin-right:.22em}.am-hero-sub{max-width:580px;margin-top:24px!important;color:#6C625D}.am-feature{align-self:end;padding:24px;background:#FFFEFC}.am-feature-photo{aspect-ratio:312\/315;overflow:hidden;background:#F3EEE6}.am-feature h2{margin-top:18px;font:400 24px\/33.6px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-feature-meta{margin-top:14px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr auto;align-items:center;gap:14px}.am-price{color:#c58238;font-weight:700}.am-price:empty{display:none}.am-section{padding:100px 0;background:#FFFEFC}.am-section--pale{background:#F3EEE6}.am-section-head{margin-bottom:50px;display:flex;align-items:end;justify-content:space-between;gap:40px}.am-section-head>div{max-width:760px}.am-section-head p{margin-top:12px!important;color:#6C625D}.am-h2{font:400 52px\/64.48px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;letter-spacing:-1px}.am-products{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:24px}.am-product{color:#2a231d;text-decoration:none}.am-product-photo{aspect-ratio:312\/276;overflow:hidden;background:#F3EEE6}.am-product h3{margin-top:14px;font:400 21px\/30.45px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-product-row{margin-top:5px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;color:#6C625D;font-size:15px;line-height:24px}.am-product-row strong{color:#c58238}.am-product-row strong:empty{display:none}.am-category-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.7fr 1fr 1fr;grid-template-rows:repeat(2,340px);gap:24px}.am-category{position:relative;overflow:hidden;color:#FFFEFC;background:#c58238;text-decoration:none}.am-category:first-child{grid-row:1\/3}.am-category img{position:absolute;inset:0;transition:transform .2s ease}.am-category::after{content:\"\";position:absolute;inset:0;background:linear-gradient(0deg,color-mix(in srgb,#211B18 68%,transparent),transparent 58%);transition:box-shadow .2s ease}\/* F92: hover added (2026-09-02) *\/.am-category:hover img{transform:scale(1.04)}.am-category:hover::after{box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 999px color-mix(in srgb,#211B18 20%,transparent)}.am-category h3{position:absolute;z-index:2;left:24px;right:24px;bottom:20px;font:400 21px\/30.45px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-band{min-height:678px;position:relative;display:flex;align-items:center;overflow:hidden;color:#FFFEFC}.am-band>img{position:absolute;inset:0}.am-band::after{content:\"\";position:absolute;inset:0;background:linear-gradient(92deg,color-mix(in srgb,#211B18 88%,transparent),color-mix(in srgb,#211B18 28%,transparent))}.am-band-inner{padding:150px 0;position:relative;z-index:2}.am-band h2{max-width:940px;font:400 72px\/1.08 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;letter-spacing:-1.7px}.am-band p{max-width:52ch;margin:20px 0 30px!important}.am-story-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.05fr .85fr;gap:72px;align-items:center}.am-collage{min-height:610px;position:relative}.am-collage-main{width:68%;height:82%;position:absolute;left:0;bottom:0}.am-collage-secondary{width:49%;height:48%;position:absolute;right:0;top:0}.am-collage-detail{width:29%;height:28%;position:absolute;right:4%;bottom:3%}.am-story-copy p{max-width:52ch;margin-top:22px!important;color:#6C625D}.am-story-points{margin-top:36px;display:grid;gap:0}.am-story-point{padding:18px 0;display:grid;grid-template-columns:145px 1fr;gap:24px}.am-story-point+.am-story-point{box-shadow:inset 0 1px color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 12%,transparent)}.am-story-point strong{font:400 18px\/28px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-story-point span{color:#6C625D}.am-catalog{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:24px}.am-catalog-card{color:#2a231d;text-decoration:none}.am-catalog-art{aspect-ratio:1\/1;padding:28px;display:flex;align-items:flex-end;background:#F3EEE6;color:#211B18;font:400 31px\/1.08 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;letter-spacing:-.5px;transition:transform .18s ease,box-shadow .18s ease}\/* F92: hover added (2026-09-02) *\/.am-catalog-card:hover .am-catalog-art{transform:translateY(-4px);box-shadow:0 14px 28px color-mix(in srgb,#211B18 22%,transparent)}.am-catalog-card:nth-child(4n+2) .am-catalog-art{background:#c58238;color:#FFFEFC}.am-catalog-card:nth-child(4n+3) .am-catalog-art{background:#F3EEE6}.am-catalog-card:nth-child(4n) .am-catalog-art{background:#c58238;color:#FFFEFC}.am-catalog-card h3{margin-top:14px;font:400 21px\/30.45px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-catalog-meta{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;color:#6C625D;font-size:15px}.am-catalog-price{color:#c58238;font-weight:700}.am-catalog-price:empty{display:none}.am-notes{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:24px}.am-note{min-height:270px;padding:34px;background:#F3EEE6}.am-note small{color:#c58238;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em}.am-note h3{margin-top:64px;font:400 24px\/33.6px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-note p{margin-top:12px!important;color:#6C625D}.am-band--second{min-height:720px}.am-footer{padding:90px 0 34px;color:#FFF9F0;background:#211B18}.am-rail-head{text-align:center}.am-rail-head .am-h2{font-size:28px;line-height:38px;letter-spacing:0}.am-rail-head p{margin-top:12px!important;color:#c8c0b4}.am-marquee-viewport{margin:60px calc(50% - 50vw) 70px;overflow:hidden}.am-marquee-track,.am-marquee-row{display:flex;gap:16px}.am-marquee-track{width:max-content}.am-rail-card{width:164px;min-width:164px;aspect-ratio:1\/1;padding:18px;display:flex;align-items:flex-end;color:#FFFEFC;background:#c58238;font:400 18px\/1.15 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-rail-card:nth-child(3n+2){background:#c58238}.am-rail-card:nth-child(3n){background:#211B18}.am-footer-grid{padding:62px 0;display:grid;grid-template-columns:.85fr .75fr 1.3fr;gap:70px}.am-footer h4{font:400 23px\/32px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-footer-tag{max-width:34ch;margin-top:17px!important;color:#c8c0b4}.am-footer-links{margin-top:20px;display:grid;gap:10px}.am-footer a{color:#FFF9F0;text-decoration:none}.am-capture p{margin-top:14px!important;color:#c8c0b4}.am-capture-row{margin-top:22px;display:flex;gap:8px}.am-field{height:50px;min-width:0;flex:1;padding:0 16px;border:0;border-radius:0;color:#FFF9F0;background:color-mix(in srgb,#FFFEFC 7%,transparent);font:inherit}.am-capture-row button{height:50px;padding:0 24px;border:0;border-radius:0;background:#c58238;color:#FFFEFC;font:600 16px 'DM Sans','Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;cursor:pointer}.am-legal{padding-top:28px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:24px;box-shadow:inset 0 1px color-mix(in srgb,#FFFEFC 14%,transparent);color:#c8c0b4;font-size:13px}.am-legal-links{display:flex;gap:20px}.am-article{width:min(900px,calc(100% - 104px));margin:auto;padding:150px 0 130px}.am-article>h1{font:400 64px\/1.12 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;letter-spacing:-1.4px}.am-article-body{margin-top:55px;font-size:18px;line-height:1.8}.am-article-body h2,.am-article-body h3{margin:44px 0 15px;font-family:'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:400}.am-article-body h2{font-size:42px}.am-article-body h3{font-size:27px}.am-article-body p{margin:0 0 20px}.am-article-body a{color:#c58238}\n.am-search:not(:has(.am-search-chip)),.am-search:not(:has(.am-search-go)){display:none}.am-search .am-eyebrow:empty,.am-search .am-h2:empty,.am-search .am-section-head p:empty{display:none}.am-search-panel{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:16px 20px;padding:36px 40px;background:#F3EEE6}.am-search-chip{display:inline-flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;padding:18px 26px;background:#FFFEFC}.am-search-chip small{color:#c58238;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;font-size:13px}.am-search-chip strong{font:400 21px\/1.2 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;color:#211B18}.am-search-go{margin-left:auto}@media(max-width:980px){.am-search-go{margin-left:0}.am-search-panel{padding:24px}}\n.am-listings:not(:has(.am-listing-row)),.am-events:not(:has(.am-event-row)),.am-deals:not(:has(.am-deal)),.am-comparison:not(:has(.am-compare-row)),.am-product-spotlight:not(:has(.am-product-spotlight-item)){display:none}.am-ext-rows{border-top:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent)}.am-ext-row{padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent);display:grid;grid-template-columns:150px 1fr auto;gap:24px;align-items:start;color:#2a231d;text-decoration:none}.am-ext-row>small{color:#c58238;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase}.am-ext-row h3{font:400 21px\/30.45px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-ext-row p{color:#6C625D;font-size:14px}.am-ext-action{font-weight:700;color:#c58238}.am-deal-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:24px}.am-deal{min-height:250px;padding:28px;background:#F3EEE6;display:flex;flex-direction:column}.am-deal code{width:max-content;padding:7px 10px;background:#FFFEFC;font:600 14px 'DM Sans','Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif}.am-deal h3{margin-top:26px;font:400 22px\/30px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-deal p{margin-top:10px!important;color:#6C625D;font-size:14px}.am-deal a{margin-top:auto;color:#c58238;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}.am-compare{overflow-x:auto}.am-compare-head,.am-compare-row{min-width:760px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(170px,1.1fr) repeat(3,minmax(150px,1fr))}.am-compare-head{background:#F3EEE6}.am-compare-head span,.am-compare-row span{padding:16px 14px}.am-compare-head span{font-weight:700}.am-compare-row{border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent)}.am-compare-row span:first-child{font-family:'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-compare-row span:not(:first-child){color:#6C625D}.am-spotlight-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.05fr .95fr;gap:72px;align-items:center}.am-spotlight-photo{width:100%;aspect-ratio:4\/3;background:#F3EEE6}.am-spotlight-copy>p{margin-top:18px!important;color:#6C625D}.am-product-spotlight-item{margin-top:28px;padding-top:22px;border-top:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent)}.am-product-spotlight-item small{color:#c58238;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase}.am-product-spotlight-item h3{margin-top:8px;font:400 28px\/36px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-product-spotlight-item p{margin-top:10px!important;color:#6C625D}.am-product-spotlight-item a{display:inline-block;margin-top:18px;color:#c58238;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none}@media(max-width:980px){.am-ext-row{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:6px}.am-deal-grid,.am-spotlight-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}}.am-native{padding:100px 0;background:#FFFEFC}.am-authority:not(:has(.am-authority-card)),.am-trust:not(:has(.am-trust-item)),.am-how:not(:has(.am-how-step)){display:none}.am-authority-card{max-width:900px;padding:34px;background:#F3EEE6;display:grid;grid-template-columns:.7fr 1.3fr;gap:56px}.am-authority-card h3{font:400 30px\/38px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-authority-card strong{display:block;margin-top:10px;color:#c58238}.am-authority-card p{color:#6C625D}.am-trust{padding:68px 0;background:#F3EEE6}.am-trust-head{margin-bottom:28px}.am-trust-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:1px;background:color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent)}.am-trust-item{padding:20px;background:#FFFEFC}.am-trust-item strong{font:400 18px\/26px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-trust-item span{display:block;margin-top:5px;color:#6C625D;font-size:12px}.am-how{background:#FFFEFC}.am-how-list{border-top:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent)}.am-how-step{padding:22px 0;border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent);display:grid;grid-template-columns:64px 1fr;gap:24px}.am-how-step b{font:400 22px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;color:#c58238}.am-how-step h3{font:400 22px\/30px 'Petrona',Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif}.am-how-step p{margin-top:6px!important;color:#6C625D}@media(max-width:980px){.am-native{padding:80px 0}.am-authority-card{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:18px}.am-trust-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}}@media(prefers-reduced-motion:no-preference){.am-hero-backdrop{animation:am-hero-in 700ms cubic-bezier(.5,1,.89,1) both}.am-feature{animation:am-rise 600ms 600ms cubic-bezier(.5,1,.89,1) both}.am-hero .am-eyebrow{animation:am-rise 600ms 800ms cubic-bezier(.5,1,.89,1) both}.am-char{animation:am-char-in 400ms var(--am-char-delay,0ms) var(--am-spring) both}.am-reveal{opacity:.001;transform:translateY(60px);transition:opacity 600ms cubic-bezier(.5,1,.89,1),transform 600ms cubic-bezier(.5,1,.89,1);transition-delay:var(--am-delay,0ms)}.am-rise50{transform:translateY(50px)}.am-d1{--am-delay:100ms}.am-d2{--am-delay:200ms}.am-d3{--am-delay:300ms}.am-reveal.am-seen{opacity:1;transform:none}.am-marquee-run .am-marquee-row{animation:am-marquee var(--am-marquee-ms) linear infinite;animation-play-state:paused}.am-marquee-run.am-marquee-active .am-marquee-row{animation-play-state:running}}@keyframes am-hero-in{from{opacity:.001;transform:scale(1.05)}to{opacity:1;transform:none}}@keyframes am-rise{from{opacity:.001;transform:translateY(60px)}to{opacity:1;transform:none}}@keyframes am-char-in{from{opacity:.001;filter:blur(10px);transform:translateY(10px)}to{opacity:1;filter:blur(0);transform:none}}@keyframes am-marquee{from{transform:translateX(0)}to{transform:translateX(calc(-50% - 8px))}}\n@media(max-width:980px){.am-wrap{width:min(100% - 40px,720px)}.am-header{height:72px}.am-nav{display:none}.am-menu{display:block}.am-logo{font-size:23px}.am-hero{min-height:940px}.am-hero-inner{min-height:940px;padding:48px 0 80px;display:block}.am-hero-copy{padding:0}.am-hero-backdrop::after{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#FFFEFC 0%,color-mix(in srgb,#FFFEFC 78%,transparent) 52%,transparent 78%)}.am-hero h1{font-size:40px;line-height:43.2px;letter-spacing:-.95238px}.am-hero-sub{font-size:16px;line-height:25px}.am-feature{width:100%;margin-top:42px;padding:18px}.am-feature-photo{aspect-ratio:1\/1}.am-feature-meta{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.am-section{padding:80px 0}.am-section-head{align-items:flex-start;flex-direction:column}.am-h2{font-size:36px;line-height:44.64px;letter-spacing:-.692309px}.am-products,.am-catalog,.am-notes{grid-template-columns:1fr}.am-product-photo{aspect-ratio:1\/1}.am-category-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;grid-template-rows:440px repeat(2,260px)}.am-category:first-child{grid-column:1\/3;grid-row:auto}.am-category h3{left:18px;bottom:15px}.am-band,.am-band--second{min-height:620px}.am-band-inner{padding:110px 0}.am-band h2{font-size:40px;line-height:43.2px;letter-spacing:-.95238px}.am-story-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:50px}.am-collage{min-height:500px}.am-story-point{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:5px}.am-catalog{gap:38px}.am-notes{gap:20px}.am-marquee-viewport{margin-top:42px}.am-footer-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:46px}.am-capture-row{display:grid}.am-legal{flex-direction:column}.am-legal-links{flex-wrap:wrap}.am-article{width:min(100% - 40px,720px);padding:100px 0}.am-article>h1{font-size:42px}}\n\n\/* the shell breaks out with width:100vw, 15 px wider than the page when a desktop scrollbar shows; inside the content-only\n   canvas template (and the 404 template) the parent is already full width, so fill it instead (2026-10-28) *\/\n.wp-block-post-content>.am-shell,.entry-content>.am-shell,.wp-site-blocks>.am-shell{width:auto!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important}\n\/* Bright Molar finish 2026-10-28 *\/\n.am-char-stream{max-width:16ch!important}\n.am-feature-meta{grid-template-columns:1fr!important;justify-items:start}\n.am-feature-meta .am-price{white-space:nowrap}\n.am-logo b{display:inline-grid;place-items:center;width:1.6em;height:1.6em;border-radius:50%;background:#C58238;color:#fff!important;font-size:.62em;font-weight:700;margin-right:.5em;vertical-align:.18em;font-family:inherit}\n.am-shell:not(.am-js) .am-reveal{opacity:1!important;transform:none!important}\n.am-shell:not(.am-js) .am-char{animation:none!important;opacity:1!important;filter:none!important;transform:none!important}\n.wp-site-blocks{padding:0!important}.wp-site-blocks>main,.wp-site-blocks>main>.wp-block-group{margin:0!important;padding:0!important}\n.wp-site-blocks .entry-content:has(>.am-shell),.wp-site-blocks .wp-block-post-content:has(>.am-shell){padding-left:0!important;padding-right:0!important;margin-top:0!important}\n.am-logo b{font-weight:400}\n.am-footer-grid{grid-template-columns:.85fr .75fr .9fr 1fr}\n.am-footer-links a,.am-legal-links a{display:block}\n.am-footer-links h4,.am-footer h4{margin:0 0 14px}\n.am-legal-links a{display:inline-block}\n.am-article-body h2,.am-article-body h3{scroll-margin-top:100px}\n.am-article-body ul,.am-article-body ol{margin:0 0 22px;padding-left:24px}\n.am-article-body li{margin:0 0 8px}\n.am-article-body li::marker{color:#c58238;font-weight:700}\n.am-article-body strong{font-weight:700}\n.am-article-body .wp-block-table{margin:26px 0 30px;overflow-x:visible}\n.am-article-body table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;background:#FFFEFC}\n.am-article-body th,.am-article-body td{padding:12px 14px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 14%,transparent)}\n.am-article-body thead th{background:#211B18;color:#FFF9F0;font-weight:600;font-size:15px}\n.am-article-body tbody tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F3EEE6}\n.am-article-body .mmos-callout{margin:26px 0;padding:18px 22px;background:#F3EEE6;border-left:6px solid #c58238;font-size:17px;line-height:1.65}\n.am-article-body .mmos-callout-watch-out{border-left-color:#B03A2E}\n.am-article-body figure.wp-block-image{margin:32px 0 34px}\n.am-article-body figure.wp-block-image img{display:block;width:100%;height:auto;aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover}\n.am-article-body figure.wp-block-image figcaption{margin-top:8px;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.5;color:#6C625D}\n.am-article-body figure.wp-block-image figcaption a{color:inherit;text-decoration:underline}\n.am-article-body .mmos-widget{margin:34px 0 40px;padding:0;border:0;background:transparent}\n.am-article-body .mmos-widget .bm-tool h3,.am-article-body .mmos-widget .bc-tool h3{margin-top:0}\n.am-article-body .mmos-widget .bm-tool h4{margin:0 0 12px;font-size:24px}\n.am-article-body p a,.am-article-body li a{text-underline-offset:3px}\n@media (max-width:980px){.am-footer-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:34px}}\n@media (max-width:760px){\n  .am-article{padding:72px 0 80px}.am-article>h1{font-size:36px;line-height:1.15}\n  .am-article-body{font-size:17px;margin-top:36px}.am-article-body h2{font-size:32px}.am-article-body h3{font-size:24px}\n  .am-footer-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}\n}\n\/* phones: tables become stacked cards, each cell labelled with its column (A3) *\/\n@media (max-width:560px){\n  .am-article-body .wp-block-table table,.am-article-body .wp-block-table tbody,.am-article-body .wp-block-table tr,.am-article-body .wp-block-table td{display:block;width:100%}\n  .am-article-body .wp-block-table thead{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0 0 0 0)}\n  .am-article-body .wp-block-table tr{background:#FFFEFC;border:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 16%,transparent);margin:0 0 12px;padding:6px 14px}\n  .am-article-body .wp-block-table td{border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,#2a231d 10%,transparent)!important;padding:8px 0;background:transparent!important}\n  .am-article-body .wp-block-table tr td:last-child{border-bottom:0!important}\n  .am-article-body .wp-block-table td::before{content:attr(data-label);display:block;font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:#A96A27;margin-bottom:2px}\n}<\/style>\n<div class=\"am-shell shell-root alignfull\">\n<header class=\"am-header\"><div class=\"am-wrap am-header-inner\"><a class=\"am-logo\" href=\"\/rankandrent\/\"><b>B<\/b>Bright Molar<\/a><nav class=\"am-nav\" aria-label=\"Primary\"><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/nhs-dental-access\/\">NHS dentists<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/private-vs-nhs-dentist\/\">Private or NHS<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/best-electric-toothbrush-uk\/\">Toothbrushes<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/water-flosser-vs-dental-floss\/\">Flossing<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/teeth-whitening-strips-vs-dentist\/\">Whitening<\/a><a class=\"am-square-action\" href=\"\/rankandrent\/electric-toothbrush-comparison-tool\/\">Compare tools<\/a><\/nav><details class=\"am-menu\"><summary aria-label=\"Open navigation\">\u2630<\/summary><div class=\"am-menu-links\"><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/nhs-dental-access\/\">NHS dentists<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/private-vs-nhs-dentist\/\">Private or NHS<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/best-electric-toothbrush-uk\/\">Toothbrushes<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/water-flosser-vs-dental-floss\/\">Flossing<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/teeth-whitening-strips-vs-dentist\/\">Whitening<\/a><a class=\"am-square-action\" href=\"\/rankandrent\/electric-toothbrush-comparison-tool\/\">Compare tools<\/a><\/div><\/details><\/div><\/header>\n<article class=\"am-article\">\n<h1>Private dentist or NHS: what you pay and what you get<\/h1>\n<div class=\"am-article-body shell-article-body\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is it worth paying more? That depends on what you need done, how long you can wait and what the NHS can offer you today. Here is the cost gap using real numbers, the differences that matter in the chair, and a short checklist for deciding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All NHS prices are for England and were checked in October 2026. Private prices are examples taken from published price lists, because private dentistry has no standard tariff. Treat them as a guide to the range, and always ask for a written quote.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/brightmolar-xray-review-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A dental professional holding a printed panoramic X-ray up for a patient to see\" class=\"wp-image-168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/brightmolar-xray-review-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/brightmolar-xray-review-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/brightmolar-xray-review-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/brightmolar-xray-review-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/brightmolar-xray-review.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/dentist-showing-an-x-ray-image-on-a-patient-6529217\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cottonbro studio<\/a>, Pexels licence, via Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-real-cost-difference\">The real cost difference<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NHS charges are fixed nationally. From 1 April 2026 a Band 1 course in England costs \u00a327.90, Band 2 costs \u00a376.60 and Band 3 costs \u00a3332.10, with urgent treatment at \u00a327.90 (<a href=\"https:\/\/faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk\/knowledgebase\/article\/KA-02003\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NHS Business Services Authority<\/a>). The band covers the whole course, so one charge pays for every item in it. Our guide to <a href=\"\/rankandrent\/nhs-dental-access\/\">NHS dental access<\/a> lists what each band includes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private fees are set by each practice, treatment by treatment. A consumer survey by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/dentists\/article\/private-and-nhs-dental-charges-al0jA6J1Swyl\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Which?<\/a> in May 2026 collected prices from 41 practice websites and six large dental brands and concluded that private costs vary considerably from practice to practice, and the full table sits behind its members&#8217; paywall. So we gathered published figures from practice price lists we could see in October 2026.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table vf-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Treatment<\/th><th>NHS England<\/th><th>Private examples (from-prices)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">New patient check-up<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 1, \u00a327.90<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">\u00a355 to \u00a365 (mydentist)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">Scale and polish<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 1, \u00a327.90, when clinically needed<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a358 to \u00a370 (mydentist)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">White filling<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 2, \u00a376.60<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a3148 (Bupa Dental Care, Hove)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">Root canal, front tooth<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 2, \u00a376.60<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a3645 to \u00a3805 (Bupa Dental Care)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">Root canal, back tooth<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 2, \u00a376.60<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a3786 to \u00a31,168 (Bupa Dental Care)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">Simple extraction<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 2, \u00a376.60<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a3275 (Bupa Dental Care, Poundbury)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">Surgical extraction<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 2, \u00a376.60<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a3405 (Bupa Dental Care, Poundbury)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">Metal crown, back tooth<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 3, \u00a3332.10<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a3800 to \u00a3885 (Bupa Dental Care)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td data-label=\"Treatment\">Ceramic crown<\/td><td data-label=\"NHS England\">Band 3, \u00a3332.10<\/td><td data-label=\"Private examples (from-prices)\">from \u00a31,225 to \u00a31,591 (Bupa Dental Care)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two caveats apply. The two mydentist pages we found disagree with each other and carry no date, so the check-up and polish rows show the spread. And these are &#8220;from&#8221; prices at specific practices, so a London practice or a specialist may charge a lot more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gap is largest on bigger work. A ceramic crown costs \u00a3332.10 on the NHS in Band 3 and from \u00a31,225 privately in the examples above. A check-up differs by roughly \u00a330 to \u00a340 by comparison.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wisdom-teeth\">Wisdom teeth<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the NHS, extractions and other oral surgery sit in Band 2, so removing a wisdom tooth in a practice costs \u00a376.60 in England. If your dentist refers you to a hospital dentist in an NHS hospital, the treatment itself is free, although dentures or bridges there may not be. Privately, the surgical extraction example above starts from \u00a3405 and the final price depends on how complicated the tooth is.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-cost-tool\">The cost tool<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pick what you need, and the tool adds up the NHS charge (one band, the highest) and the private examples side by side. Every price in it is editable in the page&#8217;s data, so you can replace our examples with the figures from your own quote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mmos-widget\" data-mmos-widget=\"brightmolar-nhs-private-costs\"><style id=\"mmos-widget-css-brightmolar-nhs-private-costs\">\n.bc-tool{font-family:inherit;color:#2A231D;max-width:100%}\n.bc-tool *{box-sizing:border-box}\n.bc-tool [hidden]{display:none!important}\n.bc-tool .bc-table tbody tr:nth-child(even)>th{background:#F3EEE6}\n.bc-title{font-family:'Petrona',Georgia,serif;font-weight:400;font-size:30px;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 8px!important}\n.bc-intro{color:#6C625D;margin:0 0 18px!important;font-size:16px;line-height:1.6}\n.bc-form{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:16px;margin:0}\n.bc-step{border:0;background:#F3EEE6;padding:20px 22px;margin:0;min-width:0}\n.bc-step legend{font-weight:700;font-size:16px;padding:0;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 12px}\n.bc-step legend+*{clear:both}\n.bc-list{list-style:none;margin:0!important;padding:0!important;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:10px}\n.bc-list li{position:relative;margin:0!important;padding:0!important}\n.bc-list input{position:absolute;opacity:0;width:1px;height:1px}\n.bc-list label{display:grid;gap:3px;padding:14px 16px 14px 50px;background:#FFFEFC;cursor:pointer;min-height:70px;position:relative;border:2px solid transparent}\n.bc-list label::before{content:\"\";position:absolute;left:15px;top:16px;width:22px;height:22px;background:#FFFEFC;border:2px solid #2A231D}\n.bc-list input:checked+label{border-color:#C58238}\n.bc-list input:checked+label::before{background:#C58238;box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 4px #FFFEFC}\n.bc-list input:focus-visible+label{outline:3px solid #C58238;outline-offset:2px}\n.bc-name{font-weight:700;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.35}\n.bc-meta{font-size:13.5px;color:#6C625D}\n.bc-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:14px 16px}\n.bc-field{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;min-width:0}\n.bc-field input,.bc-field select{font:inherit;font-size:16px;font-weight:500;color:#2A231D;background:#FFFEFC;border:1px solid rgba(42,35,29,.28);border-radius:0;padding:10px 12px;min-height:48px;width:100%;min-width:0}\n.bc-field input:focus-visible,.bc-field select:focus-visible,.bc-btn:focus-visible{outline:3px solid #C58238;outline-offset:2px}\n.bc-status{margin:14px 0 0!important;font-size:15px;color:#6C625D}\n.bc-results{margin-top:12px}\n.bc-cards{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:12px}\n.bc-card{background:#F3EEE6;padding:16px 18px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;min-width:0}\n.bc-card--main{background:#211B18;color:#FFF9F0}\n.bc-card small{font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:#A96A27}\n.bc-card--main small{color:#E0A868}\n.bc-card strong{font-family:'Petrona',Georgia,serif;font-weight:400;font-size:28px;line-height:1.15;overflow-wrap:anywhere}\n.bc-card span{font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#6C625D}\n.bc-card--main span{color:#C8C0B4}\n.bc-quote{margin:12px 0 0!important;padding:14px 16px;background:#FFFEFC;border-left:6px solid #C58238;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.55}\n.bc-table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;background:#FFFEFC;font-size:15px;margin-top:14px}\n.bc-table th,.bc-table td{padding:11px 14px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(42,35,29,.14);overflow-wrap:anywhere}\n.bc-table thead th{background:#211B18;color:#FFF9F0;font-size:14.5px}\n.bc-foot{font-size:14px;color:#6C625D;line-height:1.6;margin:14px 0 14px!important}\n.bc-actions{display:flex;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap}\n.bc-btn{font:inherit;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;border:0;border-radius:0;padding:12px 24px;background:#C58238;color:#FFFEFC;cursor:pointer;min-height:48px}\n.bc-btn:hover{background:#A96A27}\n.bc-btn--ghost{background:#FFFEFC;color:#2A231D;box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(42,35,29,.35)}\n@media (max-width:760px){.bc-cards{grid-template-columns:1fr}}\n@media (max-width:640px){\n  .bc-title{font-size:26px}\n  .bc-list,.bc-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}\n  .bc-step{padding:16px}\n}\n@media (max-width:560px){\n  .bc-table,.bc-table tbody,.bc-table tr,.bc-table td,.bc-table th{display:block;width:100%}\n  .bc-table thead{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0 0 0 0)}\n  .bc-table tbody tr{border:1px solid rgba(42,35,29,.18);margin:0 0 12px;background:#FFFEFC}\n  .bc-table tbody th{background:#F3EEE6;border-bottom:0;padding:10px 14px}\n  .bc-table td{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(42,35,29,.1);padding:10px 14px}\n  .bc-table tr td:last-child{border-bottom:0}\n  .bc-table td::before{content:attr(data-label);display:block;font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:#A96A27;margin-bottom:2px}\n  .bc-btn{width:100%}\n}\n@media print{.bc-actions,.bc-form{display:none}}\n<\/style><div class=\"bc-tool\" id=\"bm-costs\">\n  <h3 class=\"bc-title\" data-bc=\"title\">NHS or private<\/h3>\n  <p class=\"bc-intro\" data-bc=\"intro\"><\/p>\n  <form class=\"bc-form\" novalidate onsubmit=\"return false\">\n    <fieldset class=\"bc-step\"><legend>1. What does your plan include?<\/legend>\n      <ul class=\"bc-list\" data-bc-list><\/ul>\n    <\/fieldset>\n    <fieldset class=\"bc-step\"><legend>2. Your situation<\/legend>\n      <div class=\"bc-grid\">\n        <label class=\"bc-field\"><span>Do you pay NHS charges?<\/span><select data-bc-exempt><option value=\"pay\">Yes, I pay<\/option><option value=\"free\">No, I am exempt<\/option><\/select><\/label>\n        <label class=\"bc-field\"><span>A private quote you have (optional, \u00a3)<\/span><input type=\"number\" min=\"0\" step=\"1\" inputmode=\"decimal\" data-bc-quote placeholder=\"e.g. 450\"><\/label>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/fieldset>\n  <\/form>\n  <p class=\"bc-status\" role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-bc-status>Tick a treatment to start.<\/p>\n  <section class=\"bc-results\" data-bc-results hidden aria-label=\"Results\">\n    <div class=\"bc-cards\">\n      <div class=\"bc-card bc-card--main\"><small>NHS charge<\/small><strong data-bc-out=\"nhs\"><\/strong><span data-bc-out=\"nhsNote\"><\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"bc-card\"><small>Private examples<\/small><strong data-bc-out=\"priv\"><\/strong><span data-bc-out=\"privNote\"><\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"bc-card\"><small>Difference<\/small><strong data-bc-out=\"diff\"><\/strong><span data-bc-out=\"diffNote\"><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"bc-quote\" data-bc-out=\"quote\" hidden><\/p>\n    <table class=\"bc-table\" data-bc-table><\/table>\n  <\/section>\n  <p class=\"bc-foot\" data-bc=\"footNote\"><\/p>\n  <div class=\"bc-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"bc-btn\" data-bc-print>Print<\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"bc-btn bc-btn--ghost\" data-bc-reset>Start again<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-you-get-for-your-money-on-each-side\">What you get for your money on each side<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Money buys time and choice, and not always better clinical care. Which? lists the main differences:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Appointment time and hours.<\/strong> Private routine appointments usually run longer and may be offered in evenings or at weekends.<\/li><li><strong>Hygiene visits.<\/strong> The NHS covers a scale and polish when it is clinically necessary. A cosmetic clean is usually private.<\/li><li><strong>Materials.<\/strong> NHS crowns usually have a metal core with porcelain over it and a limited shade range. Private options may use more natural-looking materials. NHS dentures are usually solid acrylic, while private versions may use flexible acrylic or chrome.<\/li><li><strong>Fillings.<\/strong> Metal fillings are less common privately, and upgrading to white composite often costs little more.<\/li><li><strong>Bridges.<\/strong> The NHS sometimes refuses a bridge as cosmetic. A private practice may offer it.<\/li><li><strong>Emergencies.<\/strong> Out-of-hours care costs more privately.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All dentists in the UK, NHS or private, must be registered with the General Dental Council, and many practices offer both. If yours does, the main difference you will notice is how many options and how much time you are given.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mmos-callout mmos-callout-good-to-know wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Good to know:<\/strong> Whitening is not available on the NHS at all. Check our guide to <a href=\"\/rankandrent\/teeth-whitening-strips-vs-dentist\/\">whitening strips against dentist whitening<\/a> before paying for either.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"waiting-and-availability\">Waiting and availability<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The NHS route can be slow to start. In the 24 months to 31 March 2026, only about 40% of adults in England were seen by an NHS dentist, so finding a place is often the real hurdle. Urgent care is quicker: the NHS says you should be offered urgent treatment within 24 hours or 7 days depending on your symptoms, and the April 2026 contract changes require practices to provide a baseline of urgent appointments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private practices can usually offer a first visit within days, at a price.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-the-nhs-makes-sense\">When the NHS makes sense<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You qualify for free care (under 18, pregnant, on certain benefits). Ask any NHS practice first.<\/li><li>You need fillings, extractions or root canal treatment and can find an NHS place. Band 2 at \u00a376.60 is far below the private examples.<\/li><li>You need a crown or denture that works, and appearance matters less than cost.<\/li><li>You can wait for a routine slot.<\/li><\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-private-is-the-only-option\">When private is the only option<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>No NHS practice near you is taking patients, and the problem is not urgent enough for NHS 111.<\/li><li>You want a treatment the NHS does not offer, such as whitening, or a specific material or appearance.<\/li><li>Your practice has moved to private work and you want to stay with the dentist who knows your mouth.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Competition regulators are looking at the private side. The Competition and Markets Authority started a market study of private dentistry in March 2026, covering how easy it is to find a dentist, understand prices and know where to go for urgent care, with a final report due by March 2027.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"online-consultations\">Online consultations<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some online services let you send photos or hold a video call with a dentist. We have not priced these, and a remote look cannot replace an examination, X-rays or treatment. If you consider one, it may help with a second opinion on a treatment plan or a first question about a symptom. It will not fix a tooth, and you will still need a practice for anything that needs hands on.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-short-checklist-for-deciding\">A short checklist for deciding<\/h2>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Ask each practice for a written treatment plan with a price per item, and ask which items are NHS and which are private.<\/li><li>If you were offered an NHS plan, ask what the private option adds and what it costs.<\/li><li>Check whether you qualify for free care or help with costs.<\/li><li>Ask about the guarantee. NHS fillings and crowns have a 12-month guarantee at the same practice.<\/li><li>Compare two quotes before accepting private work above a few hundred pounds.<\/li><li>Decide what you would do if the price doubled, because complex plans can change once work begins.<\/li><\/ol>\n<p class=\"mmos-callout mmos-callout-key-takeaway wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key takeaway:<\/strong> On the NHS you pay a fixed band charge once. Privately you pay per item, and the cost differences are biggest on crowns, root canals and extractions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/article>\n<footer class=\"am-footer\"><div class=\"am-wrap\"><div class=\"am-rail-head\"><h2 class=\"am-h2\">Numbers and topics we cover<\/h2><p>NHS charges are for England from 1 April 2026.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"am-marquee-viewport\"><div class=\"am-marquee-track\"><div class=\"am-rail-card\">NHS Band 1: \u00a327.90<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">NHS Band 2: \u00a376.60<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">NHS Band 3: \u00a3332.10<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">Urgent NHS care: \u00a327.90<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">Free for under 18s<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">Electric toothbrushes<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">Water flossers and floss<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">Whitening and the law<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">Sensitive teeth toothpaste<\/div><div class=\"am-rail-card\">Private against NHS prices<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"am-wrap\"><div class=\"am-footer-grid\"><div><a class=\"am-logo\" href=\"\/rankandrent\/\"><b>B<\/b>Bright Molar<\/a><p class=\"am-footer-tag\">Independent UK guides to dental costs and dental products, written as general information and never as dental advice.<\/p><\/div><div><h4>Guides<\/h4><div class=\"am-footer-links\"><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/nhs-dental-access\/\">NHS dental access<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/private-vs-nhs-dentist\/\">Private dentist or NHS<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/best-electric-toothbrush-uk\/\">Best electric toothbrush<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/water-flosser-vs-dental-floss\/\">Water flosser or floss<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/teeth-whitening-strips-vs-dentist\/\">Whitening strips or dentist<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/best-toothpaste-sensitive-teeth-uk\/\">Sensitive teeth toothpaste<\/a><\/div><\/div><div><h4>Tools<\/h4><div class=\"am-footer-links\"><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/electric-toothbrush-comparison-tool\/\">Electric toothbrush tool<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/water-flosser-comparison-tool\/\">Water flosser tool<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/teeth-whitening-kit-comparison-tool\/\">Whitening tool and label check<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/private-vs-nhs-dentist\/#the-cost-tool\">NHS or private cost tool<\/a><\/div><\/div><div><h4>Bright Molar<\/h4><div class=\"am-footer-links\"><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/about\/\">About Bright Molar<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/contact\/\">Contact<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/disclosure\/\">How this site makes money<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"am-legal\"><span>\u00a9 2026 Bright Molar. General information only.<\/span><div class=\"am-legal-links\"><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/disclosure\/\">How this site makes money<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy policy<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/terms\/\">Terms of use<\/a><a href=\"\/rankandrent\/contact\/\">Contact<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<script>(function(){document.querySelectorAll(\".am-shell\").forEach(function(s){s.classList.add(\"am-js\");});})();<\/script><script>(function(){if(window.matchMedia(\"(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)\").matches)return;document.querySelectorAll(\".am-char\").forEach(function(el,i){el.style.setProperty(\"--am-char-delay\",i*50+\"ms\")});document.querySelectorAll(\".am-reveal\").forEach(function(el){new IntersectionObserver(function(es,io){es.forEach(function(e){if(e.isIntersecting){e.target.classList.add(\"am-seen\");io.unobserve(e.target)}})},{threshold:.12}).observe(el)});var vp=document.querySelector(\".am-marquee-viewport\"),tr=vp&&vp.querySelector(\".am-marquee-track\");if(!vp||!tr||!tr.children.length)return;var clone=tr.cloneNode(true),row=document.createElement(\"div\");clone.setAttribute(\"aria-hidden\",\"true\");row.className=\"am-marquee-row\";vp.appendChild(row);row.appendChild(tr);row.appendChild(clone);var distance=tr.scrollWidth+16;vp.style.setProperty(\"--am-marquee-ms\",distance\/60*1000+\"ms\");vp.classList.add(\"am-marquee-run\");new IntersectionObserver(function(es){es.forEach(function(e){vp.classList.toggle(\"am-marquee-active\",e.isIntersecting)})},{threshold:.08}).observe(vp)})();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BBright Molar NHS dentistsPrivate or NHSToothbrushesFlossingWhiteningCompare tools \u2630 NHS dentistsPrivate or NHSToothbrushesFlossingWhiteningCompare tools Private dentist or NHS: what you pay and what you get Is it worth paying more? That depends on what you need done, how long you can wait and what the NHS can offer you today. Here is the cost gap using [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"brightmolar-canvas","meta":{"_mmos_seo_title":"Private Dentist vs NHS: Real UK Prices and When to Pay More","_mmos_seo_desc":"NHS bands from \u00a327.90 against private prices from published practice lists, with waiting times, a cost tool and a checklist for choosing between them in the UK.","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-178","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=178"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":229,"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/178\/revisions\/229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmbatch14.com\/rankandrent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}