The National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 1988

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations consolidate, with amendments, the regulations providing for charges in respect of the supply of dental appliances under the National Health Service Act 1977 and in respect of dental treatment as part of general dental services under that Act. In addition to minor and drafting amendments, these Regulations make four changes of substance.

First, the charges for dentures are increased by an average 25% (the charges were last altered in April 1985) and bridges are charged at different amounts to dentures (regulation 2(2) and Schedule 1).

Secondly, the charge for dental treatment is altered (regulation 3(1)) to a basis for all treatment of 75% of the fees authorised by the Dental Estimates Board as payable to the dentist by the Family Practitioner Committee (“the authorised fees”). This supersedes a charge of £33 or £63 (depending on the gold content) for crowns, inlays, pinlays or gold fillings or the authorised fees, whichever was less, and a charge for other treatment of £17 plus 40% of the authorised fees (or a charge of the authorised fees only where £17 or less).

Thirdly, there are exceptions from charging relating to obturators (regulation 2(4)(c)) and to emergency attendance to administer a general anaesthetic (regulation 3(3)(c)).

Fourthly, the maximum fee for a course of treatment (including the supply of appliances) under general dental services is raised from £115 to £150 (regulation 4).