Health service or private
How the health service (NHS) waits compare with going private – step by step.
Going ahead with treatment? Your £155 assessment fee is deducted. When you choose private treatment after your private assessment, the £155 already paid is taken away from your overall treatment cost. If you use our payment plan, we take it off the £900 deposit, so your deposit is £745 and the monthly amounts do not change. Cross-border (HSE) patients are not included.
You can have orthodontic treatment with us on the health service (NHS) or privately. Here is how each route works, step by step.
Waiting for a health service assessment: 6–12 months
Once your dentist has referred you, a health service (NHS) assessment usually takes 6–12 months to come through. If you have a teenager, our Rapid Teen assessment is a faster route.
Waiting for health service treatment: 3–6 months
For patients who qualify, braces usually go on 3–6 months after the assessment, depending on the case.
Or go private: no waiting list
There is no waiting list for private treatment, which usually begins within a month. Refer yourself or look at our prices.
For those who qualify
- For patients who qualify, health service (NHS) treatment is available.
- You need a referral from your dentist.
- At your records appointment, the orthodontist checks whether you qualify.
Assessment and treatment
- Private assessments and treatment are available.
- Private treatment has no waiting list and usually starts within a month.
- You can refer yourself, or ask your dentist for a referral.
- Metal braces or clear aligners – the choice is yours. See our costs.
Who qualifies for health service braces?
The health service (NHS) only pays for braces when teeth are significantly out of position. The orthodontist decides this with a national scoring system called IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need). If your teeth need treatment less, your need may be too mild to qualify, and you may be able to choose private (paid-for) treatment instead.
Timing is important as well. If some adult teeth are still to come through, it is usually better to wait, and we will book to see you again in a year or two. Read about your first visit, or see braces for children and teenagers.
Comparing costs? See our braces cost guide. Under 18 with an IOTN score too low for health service treatment? See private braces for under-18s.
How to get started
Patients (private)
Self-referral is only for private treatment. Complete our form and we will be in touch.
Self-referCan I have private treatment while I wait on the health service list?
Yes. Private treatment is open to you at any time. Get in touch to arrange a private assessment.
Is a dentist referral needed for health service treatment?
Yes. Health service (NHS) patients need to be referred by their dentist. Private patients can refer themselves.
How long does treatment take?
Health service (NHS) treatment normally takes 18 to 24 months, though this depends on how complex the case is. Private treatment normally takes between 2 and 24 months, depending on how complex your case is – and milder cases are often fairly simple to put right. Your clinician will give you an estimate at your assessment.
Does my dentist need to refer me?
Not for private treatment – you can refer yourself through our referral page. Health service (NHS) treatment needs a referral from your dentist.
Not accepted for NHS braces – is treatment still possible?
Yes. If your child’s teeth do not qualify for health service (NHS) treatment under IOTN, they can still have private treatment, which normally takes between 2 and 24 months depending on complexity – milder cases are often fairly simple to put right. A private assessment is £155.
Questions about your treatment?
Our team in Portadown is always happy to help. Ring us on 028 3870 2623 or drop us an email.