NHS Dental Charges to Increase from April
Health minister Dan Poulter has announced that NHS dental charges will increase from next month.
Mr Poulter also confirmed that prescription charges and opticians’ fees will also go up in April. The cost of a prescription will increase by 15p to £8.20 per item, while band 1 dental fees, which include routine check-ups, will increase by 30p to £18.80. The cost of band 2 treatments, which include root canal treatment and fillings, will rise by 80p to £51.30 and the cost of band 3 treatments, such as crowns and dental bridges, will increase by £3.50 to £222.50.
The cost of basic frames and lenses will increase by 40 pence to £38.70.
The new fees represent a total rise of £1 in prescription costs since the coalition government took power in 2010. However, the Department of Health stated that 90% of prescription charges are covered by the NHS in England and the other 10% represents a contribution from those who are able to afford the fees.
Dental fees are considerably cheaper than private dental costs and free dental care remains free of charge for children and those in receipt of certain types of benefit.
The cost of three and 12 month prescription plans has been frozen at £29.10 and £104 respectively.
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