Check your orthodontic eligibility
Understand the criteria, see where your case is likely to sit, and take the first step before booking an in-person appointment.
How to check your orthodontic eligibility
Before booking a dentist appointment specifically for an orthodontic assessment, it helps to understand the criteria and do some self-assessment. This page explains how to think about your own situation and what a photo-based online assessment can tell you in advance.
The formal eligibility check for NHS treatment is the IOTN assessment, conducted by your dentist. But you can get a useful preliminary indication before that appointment by understanding what IOTN grades look for and by submitting photos to a clinician-reviewed remote assessment service.
IOTN grades 4 and 5 are the qualifying threshold for NHS orthodontic treatment. These cover cases with significant overjet (protruding front teeth), large overbite, severe crowding, missing teeth, impacted teeth, or significant crossbite. Grade 3 is borderline. Grades 1 and 2 cover mild cases that do not qualify for NHS funding.
If your teeth are visibly crowded, your front teeth protrude significantly, you have a noticeable overbite or underbite, or teeth are impacted or missing, there is a reasonable chance you may score at grade 3 or above. However, precise scoring requires a clinical assessment.
A photo-based remote assessment is not an official IOTN assessment, but it provides a clinician's initial view of the likely complexity and treatment options for your case. This can tell you whether NHS treatment is worth pursuing, which private treatment types are likely suitable, and what a realistic cost range looks like — all before you pay for a clinic visit.
If the assessment suggests you are likely to meet NHS criteria, your next step is a dentist appointment specifically requesting an orthodontic assessment and referral. If the assessment suggests NHS is unlikely, you can go straight to comparing private options without spending time pursuing an NHS route that won't be available.
The self-check approach is especially useful for adults (who rarely qualify for NHS treatment) and for parents assessing children who are approaching the 11–14 age window when NHS orthodontic treatment most commonly begins.
Find out where you stand
A photo-based assessment gives an indication of your likely eligibility and treatment options before you visit a clinic.
Takes 5 minutes • No obligationNo commitment required
A photo assessment gives you a professional initial view without booking or paying for a clinic consultation first.
Understand NHS vs private early
Getting clarity on likely eligibility before your dentist appointment helps you ask better questions and arrive with realistic expectations.
Plan for all outcomes
Whether you qualify for NHS treatment or not, knowing your likely route in advance helps you plan timings, budget, and next steps.
Faster than waiting for a dentist slot
A remote photo assessment can be completed within days — useful when NHS dentist appointments have long waits themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
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How It Works
Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote.
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