This question comes up constantly, usually right after someone’s tried to register with an NHS dentist and discovered every practice in the area has a closed list. So they start looking at private dentists in Croydon instead, and naturally want to know what they’re actually choosing between, beyond the price difference everyone assumes exists.
Here’s the iCare dental croydon have honest breakdown — what each option actually covers, what it costs, and where the real differences sit.
The Cost Difference Is Smaller Than People Expect — For Basic Treatment
NHS dental charges in England work on a three-band system, and as of April 2026 the rates are £27.90 for Band 1 (a check-up, X-rays and a scale and polish if needed), £76.60 for Band 2 (fillings, extractions, root canal treatment), and £332.10 for Band 3 (crowns, bridges, dentures). You pay one charge per band, regardless of how many individual procedures you need within it — so a check-up plus two fillings is still just the Band 2 charge, not three separate fees.
A private dentist near you might charge anywhere from £25 to £80+ for an equivalent check-up, and prices for fillings or crowns vary considerably by practice. So for genuinely basic dental care, NHS pricing is often comparable to or cheaper than private — the bigger differences show up elsewhere.
Waiting Times Are Where the Real Gap Appears
Some treatments fall outside what NHS dentistry funds altogether, regardless of how long you’re willing to wait. Invisalign and other cosmetic orthodontics are not provided on the NHS for adults except in rare clinical cases. Dental implants are reserved almost exclusively for patients with specific medical conditions, not general tooth loss. Teeth whitening, veneers and most smile makeover work fall outside NHS provision entirely.
If any of these are what you’re actually looking for, the NHS vs private question isn’t really a question — private is the only route to that specific treatment, regardless of cost comparison.
Time With Your Dentist
NHS dentistry operates under significant time pressure — practices are often working through high patient volumes within tightly funded contracts, and appointment lengths reflect that. Private appointments tend to allow more time per patient, which matters most for anything requiring a longer conversation: treatment planning, anxious patients who need things explained slowly, or simply wanting your questions properly answered rather than rushed through.
So Which Should You Actually Choose?
Conclusion
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is it cheaper to go to a private dentist than NHS in Croydon?
Not necessarily for basic care — NHS Band 1 and 2 charges are often comparable to private pricing. The real difference is access: private dentists typically have far shorter waiting times and offer treatments the NHS doesn’t fund.
Q2. Can I have Invisalign on the NHS? ?
Generally no. Invisalign and most cosmetic orthodontic treatment for adults is not available on the NHS except in rare clinically necessary cases, and is offered through private providers instead.
Q3. Why are NHS dentists in Croydon not accepting new patients?
Many NHS practices operate under fixed contract caps limiting how many patients they can register. Once that cap is reached, the practice closes its NHS list until capacity frees up.
Q4. How much does an NHS check-up cost in 2026?
A Band 1 NHS check-up in England costs £27.90 from April 2026, covering an examination, X-rays if needed, and a scale and polish if clinically necessary.
Q5. Are dental implants available on the NHS?
Rarely. NHS-funded implants are generally reserved for patients with specific medical conditions, such as those affected by cancer treatment or significant facial trauma — not general tooth loss.
Looking for a Dentist Without the Waiting List?
Finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients isn’t always easy. At iCare Dental Croydon, we’re currently welcoming new patients with flexible appointment availability and same-day emergency slots.
✓ New Patients Welcome
✓ £25 New Patient Exam
✓ Emergency Appointments Available
