NHS or Private Dental Treatment at Dental Spa Solutions

NHS or Private

Looking for NHS dentist treatment in Leamington Spa or considering private dental care? At Dental Spa Solutions, we have been providing trusted dental care to patients in Leamington Spa and the surrounding areas for over 40 years.

We offer NHS dental treatment through our NHS General Dental Service contract, and we are committed to helping patients understand exactly what this includes. It is also important to be clear that NHS dental treatment has limits, and some treatments are only available privately.

If you are comparing NHS vs private dentist options, this page explains the differences so you can make an informed choice about your care.

What NHS dental treatment includes

NHS dental care is designed to help maintain oral health, prevent dental problems, and treat common conditions effectively.

Under our NHS contract, we are able to provide treatment such as:

• Routine dental examinations and check-ups
• Preventive treatment, including fluoride applications, sealants, simple scale and polish treatment, and oral health advice
• Basic fillings
• Simple extractions
• Simple root canal treatment
• Acrylic dentures
• Basic crowns, such as metal crowns on back teeth, where clinically appropriate

These treatments are intended to provide essential dental care and help manage everyday oral health needs.

What NHS dental treatment does not usually include

Some treatments are not available on the NHS. In particular, cosmetic dental treatment is not available on the NHS.

Other treatments are more complex and may require specialist skills, additional time, or advanced materials. These are generally not provided under our current NHS General Dental Service contract.

These may include:

• Cosmetic treatments
• More advanced crowns, bridges, and inlays
• Complex extractions, especially impacted teeth
• More advanced root canal treatment
• Specialist gum treatments and periodontal surgery
• Treatment under sedation
• Orthodontic treatment
• Dental implants

If you need treatment that is not available on the NHS, we may be able to offer it privately or discuss referral options where appropriate.

NHS appointment availability

We have a set amount of time each week to provide NHS treatment, and these appointments are usually booked well in advance.

This means NHS appointment availability can be limited. If you are looking for faster access to treatment, choosing private dental treatment can give you greater flexibility and may help to expedite your care.

Why choose private dental treatment?

Many patients choose private dental care because it offers greater flexibility, wider treatment options, and quicker access to appointments.

Private treatment may offer:

• Faster access to dental care
• More flexibility in appointment times
• Access to treatments not available on the NHS
• A wider range of materials and techniques
• More time to discuss your options
• The ability to combine functional and cosmetic treatment where appropriate

If you are looking for a private dentist in Leamington Spa, we can help you understand your treatment options and choose the approach that best suits your needs.

Important NHS information

Please note that NHS and private treatment cannot be carried out on the same tooth during the same course of treatment.

We also currently hold a Level 2 contract for difficult extractions, including impacted wisdom teeth. If this applies to you, your dentist may arrange for one of our accredited oral surgeons to treat you under this contract.

NHS dental charges

The cost of NHS dental treatment depends on the treatment you need. NHS charges are divided into three bands:

Band 1 – £27.90

Covers:

• Examination
• X-rays
• Fluoride application
• Scale and polish for gum disease
• Minor denture adjustments

Band 2 – £76.60

Covers everything in Band 1, plus:

• Fillings
• Root canal treatment
• Tooth extractions
• More extensive gum disease treatment

White fillings may be offered for front teeth when clinically necessary.

Band 3 – £332.10

Covers everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus:

• Crowns
• Dentures

Urgent treatment – £27.90

Urgent treatment may include:

• Assessment
• Temporary fillings
• Emergency care

If further treatment is needed within two months and falls within the same or a lower band, there is no additional charge. If treatment is needed after two months, or falls into a higher band, further charges may apply.

Some treatments, such as removing stitches or stopping bleeding after an extraction, are provided free of charge.

Who is entitled to free NHS dental treatment?

Free NHS dental treatment may be available to:

• Patients under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• Pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months
• Patients who have had a stillbirth in the last 12 months
• Patients receiving treatment from a hospital dentist, although dentures or bridges may still be charged for
• People receiving War Pension Scheme payments or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments for an accepted disability

It may also be available to patients receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit, where income meets the required threshold

Dependants under 20 may also be eligible.

Proof of eligibility

If you believe you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, you may need to provide evidence such as:

• A tax credit exemption certificate
• An HC2 certificate
• A maternity exemption certificate
• A birth certificate
• A stillbirth certificate
• A birth notification

If you are not eligible for free treatment but are on a low income, you may be able to apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. This may provide an HC3 certificate showing how much you need to pay.

For more information, visit the NHS website: