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The Local Dentist

Free UK dentist comparison. Ratings cannot be bought —how we make money· methodology

Hygienist Cleaning

Compare dental hygienist prices — scale and polish, stain removal and gum health appointments, what's included, and NHS vs private options.

A hygienist appointment is a professional clean and gum-health session: plaque and tartar (calculus) are removed above and below the gum line, staining is polished away — many practices use air-polishing systems for stubborn tea, coffee and tobacco stains — and you get tailored advice on brushing and interdental cleaning. Private hygienist visits typically cost £55–£120 for 30–45 minutes, and most people benefit from one or two a year; people with gum disease may need more frequent, longer appointments. On the NHS, a scale and polish is only provided within a course of treatment when clinically necessary (Band 1, £27.40 in England) — routine cosmetic cleaning isn't an NHS service, which is why hygiene is one of the most common private purchases even among NHS patients. Hygienists and dental therapists are GDC-registered professionals, and under direct access rules many practices let you book a hygienist without seeing the dentist first.

Typical cost

£55 – £120

28 practices offering hygienist

Ratings and rankings are our editorial opinion, based on our publishedmethodology — they are not dental advice and practices cannot pay to change a score. Where a practice has no reviews we show "Not yet rated" — we never invent scores.Listings labelled Featured orReferral partner are paid placements; payment affects visibility only, never ratings or match results. We may receive a fee when you send a private-treatment enquiry.Private treatment prices are indicative — always confirm directly with the practice.

Bedford Place Dental

Dental Practice · Southampton · SO15 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team

UnclaimedNHSPlans from £18/moEvening appointments · Digital X-rays

NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning

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Not Yet Rated

Modern NHS and private dentistry near Southampton city centre.

Check-Up from £55

Bold Street Dental

Dental Practice · Liverpool · L1 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team

UnclaimedNHSPlans from £14/moEvening appointments · Digital X-rays

NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning

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Not Yet Rated

City-centre NHS and private dentistry with same-day emergency slots.

Check-Up from £47

Borough Smile Clinic

Dental Practice · London · SE1 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team

UnclaimedNHSPlans from £26/moGround-floor surgery · Wheelchair access

NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning

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Not Yet Rated

NHS and private dentistry near Borough Market and London Bridge.

Check-Up from £75

Byres Road Dental

Dental Practice · Glasgow · G12 · GDC-registered team · Denplan practice

UnclaimedPrivate onlyPlans from £20/moSedation available · 0% finance available

Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning · Teeth Whitening

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Not Yet Rated

Private cosmetic and family dentistry in Glasgow's West End.

Check-Up from £55

Calthorpe Dental Lounge

Dental Practice · Birmingham · B15 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team

UnclaimedPrivate onlyPlans from £24/moFree parking · Sedation available

Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning · Teeth Whitening

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Not Yet Rated

Private cosmetic and implant dentistry in leafy Edgbaston.

Check-Up from £65

Cathedral Road Dental

Dental Practice · Cardiff · CF11 · GDC-registered team · HIW-registered practice

UnclaimedNHSPlans from £14/moFree parking · Evening appointments

NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning

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Not Yet Rated

NHS and private family practice in Pontcanna, Cardiff.

Check-Up from £46

Clifton Village Dental

Dental Practice · Bristol · BS8 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team

UnclaimedNHSPlans from £20/moEvening appointments · Digital X-rays

NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning

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Not Yet Rated

NHS and private family dentistry in Clifton Village, Bristol.

Check-Up from £58

Didsbury Dental Loft

Dental Practice · Manchester · M20 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team

UnclaimedPrivate onlyPlans from £21/moSaturday appointments · Free parking

Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning · Invisalign & Aligners

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Not Yet Rated

Relaxed private dentistry in West Didsbury with Saturday opening.

Check-Up from £59

Ecclesall Road Dental

Dental Practice · Sheffield · S11 · CQC-registered practice · GDC-registered team

UnclaimedNHSPlans from £14/moFree parking · Ground-floor surgery

NHS Dentistry · Dental Check-ups · Hygienist Cleaning

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Not Yet Rated

Friendly NHS and private practice on Sheffield's Ecclesall Road.

Check-Up from £46

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a hygienist appointment cost?

Typically £55–£120 privately, depending on the practice, the length of the appointment and whether air-polishing stain removal is included. Longer periodontal (gum disease) appointments cost more. Dental payment plans often include one or two hygiene visits a year.

Can I get a scale and polish on the NHS?

Only when it's clinically necessary as part of a course of treatment — it's then included in the band charge (Band 1, £27.40 in England). Cleaning for purely cosmetic reasons, such as stain removal, isn't available on the NHS, so most stain-removal and routine hygiene appointments are private.

Do I need to see the dentist before booking a hygienist?

Often not. 'Direct access' rules let hygienists and therapists see patients without a dentist's prescription at many practices, though some still require you to be a registered patient or have had a recent examination. Check when booking.

How often should I see a hygienist?

Once or twice a year suits most people with healthy gums. If you have gum disease, your dentist or hygienist may recommend visits every 3 months. Smokers, people with diabetes and those prone to heavy tartar build-up usually benefit from more frequent visits — ask your dental team what's right for you.

Does a hygienist clean hurt?

It shouldn't be painful, though it can feel scratchy or sensitive, especially with heavy tartar or inflamed gums. Tell the hygienist if you're uncomfortable — topical numbing gel is available, and sensitivity normally settles within a day or two.

Will a hygienist whiten my teeth?

No — a hygienist clean removes surface staining, which can make teeth look noticeably brighter, but it doesn't change the underlying tooth shade. Actual whitening uses bleaching gels and may legally only be carried out by GDC-registered dental professionals.