Hygienist (scale and polish): cost in the UK, 2026
Typical private price £83. National range £40 to £170. On the NHS this is Band 1, £27.90.
What you are paying for
Scale and polish, stain removal and gum health advice. On the NHS it is only available where clinically needed as part of Band 1 or Band 2 treatment, not as a cosmetic clean, which is why most people pay privately for it.
Questions to ask before you agree
- Is this the total, including any scans, lab fees, follow up visits and the final restoration?
- What material is being used, and what is the alternative at a lower price?
- Who is doing the treatment, and are they on the GDC register as a specialist if a specialist is needed?
- What happens, and what does it cost, if it fails or needs redoing?
Other treatments
| Treatment | Low | Typical | High | NHS option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check up (examination) | £23 | £65 | £180 | Band 1, £27.90 |
| White (composite) filling | £75 | £150 | £280 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Tooth extraction (simple) | £90 | £160 | £292 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Root canal treatment | £179 | £450 | £900 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Crown | £350 | £720 | £995 | Band 3, £332.10 |
| Single dental implant | £585 | £2,500 | £3,500 | Not on the NHS |
| Veneer (per tooth) | £250 | £614 | £975 | Not on the NHS |
| Composite bonding (per tooth) | £150 | £250 | £350 | Not on the NHS |
| Teeth whitening | £150 | £380 | £696 | Not on the NHS |
| Invisalign / clear aligners | £1,395 | £2,900 | £4,495 | Not on the NHS |
| Dentures | £290 | £750 | £1,593 | Band 3, £332.10 |
| Dental bridge | £350 | £720 | £1,172 | Band 3, £332.10 |
| Emergency appointment (private) | £80 | £200 | £400 | Urgent, £27.90 |
Private figures: national low, median and high from a survey of 2,000+ UK practices (treatcompare.com, March 2026); composite bonding and emergency appointment from dentistcost.co.uk guideline ranges (September 2026). London typically runs 25 to 40% above the median.
Get quotes before you commit
For implants, veneers, aligners and crowns, prices vary two to three fold between practices for the same treatment. Ask two or three for a written treatment plan with the total cost and what is excluded.
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