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When you need dental care in Hanwell, one of the first decisions you may face is whether to book NHS or private dental care.
For many people, the obvious assumption is simple: NHS dentistry is cheaper and private dentistry is more expensive. That is broadly true, but it does not tell the whole story.
The real difference comes down to how treatment is funded, what is clinically available through the NHS, what choices you have over materials or cosmetic treatments, and how much you may ultimately pay for the treatment you want.
If you live in Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing, Greenford or Southall, here is a straightforward breakdown of what NHS and private dentistry can mean for your wallet.
NHS dental charges in Hanwell are the same as elsewhere in England.
From 1 April 2026, NHS treatment is divided into three main charging bands:
NHS band | Current charge | Typical treatment included |
Band 1 | £27.90 | Examination, diagnosis, necessary X-rays and preventive advice |
Band 2 | £76.60 | Band 1 care plus treatments such as fillings, root canal treatment and extractions |
Band 3 | £332.10 | Band 1 and 2 care plus treatments such as crowns, dentures and bridges |
You normally pay one charge for a complete course of NHS treatment rather than paying separately for every individual procedure within that course.
For example, if your dentist decides during your examination that you need two fillings that fall within the same Band 2 course of treatment, you would normally pay the Band 2 charge rather than paying separately for each filling.
That pricing structure is one of the main financial advantages of NHS dentistry. Some patients may also qualify for free NHS dental treatment or help with costs depending on circumstances such as age, pregnancy, certain benefits or the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Private dentistry does not use the NHS band system. Instead, treatments are usually individually priced according to factors such as the procedure, materials being used, complexity of the case and appointment time required.
At Hanwell Dental Centre, for example, its published private fee guide currently lists a new patient or routine examination at £75, white fillings from £120 and all-ceramic crowns or veneers from £650. Exact costs depend on the treatment required following an examination.
That makes the price difference easy to see. However, comparing an NHS Band 2 fee directly with the price of one private filling does not always give you the full picture. NHS treatment is designed to provide clinically necessary care to maintain oral health, while private treatment may give patients access to a broader range of treatment choices, materials or cosmetic options.
A common misconception is that NHS dentistry only covers very basic treatment. The NHS is intended to provide treatment that is clinically necessary to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free from pain.
Depending on your clinical needs, that can include:
The important phrase is clinically necessary. Your dentist evaluates your oral health and determines the necessary treatments. NHS treatment is not primarily designed to provide cosmetic improvements or every possible choice of dental material.
For example, NHS treatment may provide an appropriate crown where one is clinically required, but you may decide you prefer another material or aesthetic option available privately.
Choosing private treatment is not simply about paying more for the same appointment. Depending on the practice and treatment, private care may provide greater choice in areas such as:
You may have more options over the appearance or type of restoration used. A patient who needs a filling, for example, may place particular importance on having a tooth-coloured restoration in an area that is visible when they smile.
Treatments carried out mainly to improve appearance are generally not routinely available through the NHS. Examples can include cosmetic teeth whitening, veneers and adult cosmetic teeth straightening.
For some dental problems, there may be several clinically appropriate ways to proceed. Private dentistry can sometimes give you access to treatment options that sit outside NHS provision, allowing you to discuss different approaches based on your priorities and budget.
Private practices may also structure appointments differently or offer additional services beyond those commissioned through the NHS.
If you are considering a private dentist in Hanwell, it is therefore worth comparing what is included in the proposed treatment rather than looking at the headline price alone.
Yes. Choosing private treatment for one procedure does not automatically mean that every future dental appointment has to be private.
A dentist can provide NHS care where appropriate and discuss a private alternative when one is available. The important point is that you should understand which part of your treatment is NHS and which part is private before agreeing to it.
If private treatment is being proposed alongside NHS care, ask:
You should receive enough information to make your own decision.
Patients may also get confused in this region. A scale and polish can be provided through the NHS when your dentist considers it clinically necessary as part of your treatment.
However, if professional cleaning is not considered clinically necessary within your NHS care, or you choose additional hygiene treatment, it may be provided privately.
Hanwell Dental Centre currently lists private hygiene services for patients over 15 from £69, with Airflow treatment alongside hygiene listed separately on its fee guide.
If you are unsure whether your hygiene appointment is NHS or private, ask before booking so you know exactly what you will be charged.
This is where the difference between NHS and private care becomes particularly clear. NHS orthodontic treatment is primarily available for children and young people under 18 who meet clinical eligibility criteria.
NHS orthodontic treatment for adults is not usually available unless there is a significant clinical need and specific eligibility requirements are met. Adults who want to straighten their teeth mainly for cosmetic reasons will therefore normally need private treatment.
Clear aligner systems such as Invisalign are private treatments. They use a series of removable clear aligners designed to move the teeth gradually according to an individual treatment plan.
At Hanwell Dental Centre, the current published fee for Invisalign treatment is £3,250, including one pair of basic retainers. A separate Invisalign consultation and 3D video treatment plan is listed at £300, with the cost deducted when treatment begins.
If you are researching Invisalign in Hanwell, ask what your quoted fee includes, particularly consultations, scans, aligners, refinements and retainers.
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at what you are paying for.
NHS dentistry | Private dentistry |
Uses nationally set patient charge bands | Prices are set by the individual practice |
Focuses on clinically necessary treatment | Can include clinically necessary and elective treatment |
One charge may cover several treatments within a course | Treatments are generally individually priced |
Limited choice may apply in some treatment situations | Often offers greater choice of materials or treatment options |
Cosmetic treatment is generally not included | Cosmetic treatments can be available |
Some patients qualify for free or reduced-cost care | Patients normally pay the private treatment fee |
Neither route is automatically right for everyone. Your choice depends on what treatment you need, what options are available, how important particular materials or cosmetic outcomes are to you and how much you are comfortable spending.
For clinically necessary routine treatment, NHS dentistry will generally result in lower patient charges where NHS care is available.
But the cheapest appointment today is not always the only financial consideration. Preventive dental care matters whichever route you choose. Regular examinations, good brushing, cleaning between the teeth and dealing with problems early can help reduce the likelihood of needing more extensive treatment later.
A small cavity that can be treated with a filling is very different financially from a tooth that eventually needs root canal treatment and a crown.
Rather than asking only, “Which dentist is cheaper?”, it can be more useful to ask:
“What treatment do I actually need, what are my available options, and what will each option cost from start to finish?”
Before agreeing to either NHS or private treatment in Hanwell, ask your dentist:
These questions are especially useful for more expensive treatments where the difference between options can be significant.
The biggest financial difference is straightforward. NHS dentistry uses fixed charge bands and is designed to provide clinically necessary care. Private dentistry is individually priced and can provide additional choices, including treatments that are mainly cosmetic or not routinely available through the NHS.
That does not mean you have to choose one system for everything. You may use NHS care for certain dental needs and choose private treatment where you want a particular option that is not available through the NHS.
For patients around Hanwell and the wider W7 area, the sensible approach is to understand exactly what treatment you need first. Then compare the NHS and private options based on the actual treatment, total cost and expected outcome rather than price alone.
A clear treatment plan should tell you what is necessary, what choices you have and what you will be expected to pay before treatment begins.
Dr Tilak Patel is a dentist at Hanwell Dental in London, with expertise in modern dentistry and patient care. He is passionate about providing clear, reliable and informative dental information to help patients make confident decisions about their oral health. Dr. Tilak Patel regularly contributes to dental content, sharing his professional insights on modern dental treatments, oral health, patient care and the latest developments in dentistry.
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