NHS Pay Bands

NHS Dental Receptionist salary, 2026/27

Dental receptionists work in NHS community dental clinics and hospital dental services managing appointments, patient registration and payment processing. Most NHS dental receptionists are at Band 2 or Band 3.

Range (England)
£25,272 to £27,476
Typical bands
Band 2, Band 3
Hourly entry
£12.92
Hourly top
£14.05

Calculate Dental Receptionist take-home pay

Dental Receptionist pay by band, England 2026/27

The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Dental Receptionists are typically paid on. Most Dental Receptionists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.

Band Entry Top Hourly at top
Band 2 £25,272 £25,272 £12.92 Take-home
Band 3 £25,760 £27,476 £14.05 Take-home

Dental Receptionist pay in Scotland

Scottish NHS staff are paid on a separate pay scale, negotiated by the Scottish Government rather than the UK Pay Review Body. Scotland consistently pays more than England at every band. The figures below are the Scottish equivalents for the same bands.

Band (Scotland) Entry Top
Band 2 £26,696 £28,988
Band 3 £29,103 £31,409

Common questions

What pay band is a Dental Receptionist on?
NHS Dental Receptionists sit at Band 2 or Band 3 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Dental Receptionists usually start on the lowest banding shown, with progression to the higher bands as they take on more senior or specialist work.
How much does an NHS Dental Receptionist earn in 2026/27?
On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Dental Receptionist earns between £25,272 and £27,476 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £12.92 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £14.05 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Dental Receptionists earn between £26,696 and £31,409 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
Where can I find Dental Receptionist jobs in the NHS?
NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) lists all current vacancies across the four UK nations. Filter by 'Pay Band' to focus on roles at the band you're interested in. HSC Recruit covers Northern Ireland (jobs.hscni.net) and NHS Scotland Jobs covers Scotland (jobs.scot.nhs.uk). Most Trusts also list vacancies on their own websites alongside the national portal.
Does Dental Receptionist get London weighting?
Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Dental Receptionists working at Inner London Trusts get 20% on top of basic pay (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746 for 2026/27). Outer London is 15%, Fringe is 5%. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Dental Receptionists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.