Dental Plan vs Pay-As-You-Go Calculator UK 2026
Find out whether a dental plan is genuinely cheaper for your situation. Enter your expected dental usage and see the annual cost comparison.
The prices behind this calculator
Pay-as-you-go totals are built from this reference dataset. The plan side uses Simplyhealth Simply Dental at £8–£12/month for routine needs and Denplan Care at a typical £17/month where crowns or several fillings are likely.
| Treatment | London | South East | Midlands | North | Wales | Scotland | NHS (England) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check-up | £85 | £75 | £65 | £60 | £60 | £62 | £27.90 |
| Hygiene visit | £90 | £75 | £65 | £60 | £58 | £60 | Not covered |
| X-ray | £40 | £35 | £30 | £28 | £28 | £30 | Not covered |
| Filling | £150 | £130 | £110 | £100 | £100 | £105 | £76.60 |
| Extraction | £200 | £175 | £150 | £140 | £140 | £145 | £76.60 |
| Root canal | £700 | £600 | £550 | £500 | £490 | £510 | £332.10 |
| Crown | £900 | £800 | £700 | £650 | £640 | £660 | £332.10 |
Private figures are typical 2026 practice prices per region. The NHS column shows the England band charges in force from April 2026: Band 1 £27.90 (examination), Band 2 £76.60 (fillings, extractions, root canal) and Band 3 £332.10 (crowns, dentures, bridges). Hygiene appointments are not generally available on the NHS.
When is a dental plan worth it?
A dental plan is most likely to be worth it if:
- You visit the dentist twice a year or more
- You include hygienist visits in your routine care
- You are likely to need fillings or more complex treatment
- You value the peace of mind of no unexpected bills
A dental plan may not be worth it if:
- You rarely visit the dentist (once a year or less)
- Your oral health is excellent with minimal treatment needs
- You only use NHS dental services
Results are estimates based on UK average costs for 2026. Individual costs vary by dentist, region, and treatment complexity.