NHS Treatment in Arun at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults pay Band 3 (£332.10) |
| Deprivation | Around the England average |
| Residents under 16 | 11.5% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 4.6% of 1,819 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | PALENT ORTHODONTICS (1 ODEON BUILDINGS), Bognor Regis — 4.7 miles; 8 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | The Littlehampton Academy — 2.0 miles St Philip Howard Catholic School — 3.0 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 19.1% of residents in the surrounding census area (Census 2021) |
Sources: Census 2021 (NOMIS), DfE Get Information About Schools, ONS geography, UK NHS dental charge schedules and our orthodontic practice register. Distances are straight-line.
Practices listing NHS orthodontics near Arun
On our practice register: 7 practices within 5 miles of Arun, 25 practices within 10 and 51 practices within 20. The closest is Newholme Dental Practice in Bognor Regis, 2.8 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is PALENT ORTHODONTICS (1 ODEON BUILDINGS), 4.7 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PALENT ORTHODONTICS (1 ODEON BUILDINGS)Bognor Regis | 4.7 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| Sussex OrthodonticsBognor Regis | 4.8 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (137 reviews) |
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 8.2 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (243 reviews) |
| Basin Road Dental SurgeryChichester | 8.8 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (46 reviews) |
| Chichester Dental PracticeChichester | 9.0 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (73 reviews) |
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 9.1 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (144 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Arun with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Bognor Regis, 4.7 miles south-west; the next are Worthing (8.2 miles east) and Chichester (8.8 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Bognor Regis | 2 | 4.7 miles south-west |
| Worthing | 4 | 8.2 miles east |
| Chichester | 2 | 8.8 miles west |
| Shoreham-by-Sea | 1 | 13.4 miles east |
| Brighton | 1 | 17.4 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Arun
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Strand Dental Worthing (4.9 from 144 reviews), 9.1 miles east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.9 (144 reviews) | 9.1 miles east |
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 4.8 (243 reviews) | 8.2 miles east |
| Sussex OrthodonticsBognor Regis | 4.8 (137 reviews) | 4.8 miles south-west |
| Chichester Dental PracticeChichester | 4.8 (73 reviews) | 9.0 miles west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Arun, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Little London Dental Clinic, 8.6 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is PALENT ORTHODONTICS (1 ODEON BUILDINGS), Bognor Regis, 4.7 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Arun are commissioned by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Arun funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Arun
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Going private for the same metal braces in Arun costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Arun
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Adults who do qualify pay the NHS Band 3 charge, £332.10 in England from April 2026, which covers the whole course. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in West Sussex differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
What's available in Arun depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. National deprivation data puts Arun close to the England median. Census 2021 counts 1,819 residents in the neighbourhood around Arun, 4.6% of them aged 10 to 15, below the 7% average across West Sussex. Classified by ONS as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, Arun sits within NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. With just 11.5% of residents under 16, Arun skews toward an older population. Families in Arun are served by secondary schools including The Littlehampton Academy (2.0 miles) and St Philip Howard Catholic School (3.0 miles). 2 secondary schools are within three miles. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (7), Arun has more choice than 66% of towns in England. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Arun itself. The nearest we do hold are Newholme Dental Practice in Bognor Regis, about 3 miles away; The Admor Group in Littlehampton, about 3 miles away; and City Dental Lab Ltd in Chichester, about 8 miles away. NHS capacity is limited — practices often have closed lists for new NHS patients, which is why private treatment is the realistic route for many adults and for those who cannot wait.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Arun
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Arun runs like this:
- Dental check-up: Your dentist performs an initial IOTN assessment and, if eligible, makes a formal referral.
- Referral to NHS orthodontist: You join the waiting list for the local NHS orthodontic service covering Arun.
- Specialist assessment: An orthodontist confirms your IOTN score, takes records, and confirms whether NHS treatment proceeds.
- Brace fitting: Metal fixed braces are fitted — typically 60–90 minutes.
- Active treatment: Adjustment appointments every 6–8 weeks for 18–24 months on average.
- Retention: Retainers provided at completion as part of the NHS course of care.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Arun
Many patients in Arun are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Private Alternatives If You're Not NHS-Eligible in Arun
Patients who don't meet the IOTN threshold have several straightforward private options. A free photo assessment through Virtual Consultant Online is a quick first step to understand which treatments suit your case and what they typically cost locally — before committing to a paid in-person consultation.
Children's Orthodontics in Arun
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Parents in Arun increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Arun
Space maintainers hold open the gap left by a prematurely lost baby tooth, preventing neighbouring teeth from drifting in before the adult tooth erupts.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Arun
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Arun?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Arun is Newholme Dental Practice in Bognor Regis, about 2.8 miles to the south-west. The next closest are The Admor Group (3.1 miles) and Abbots Lodge Dental Practice (3.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Arun?
Our register has 7 practices within 5 miles of Arun, 25 practices within 10 miles and 51 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Arun?
The nearest practice to Arun that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is PALENT ORTHODONTICS (1 ODEON BUILDINGS) in Bognor Regis, about 4.7 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include Sussex Orthodontics (4.8 miles) and Tarring Dental - Worthing (8.2 miles).
Is Arun a family area?
11.5% of the local population is under 16, per the most recent Census.
Which NHS body covers Arun for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Arun falls under NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board.
Is Arun rural or urban?
ONS classifies Arun as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How deprived is Arun compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Arun is close to the England average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
How long does NHS treatment take?
18-24 months covers most moderate NHS cases, with complex cases running longer. Your orthodontist confirms a specific estimate after assessment.
Last updated: October 2026, compiled by the Virtual Consultant Online editorial team from our practice register and public data. Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice; it is not reviewed by a clinician. Sources: NHS, General Dental Council. How we compile our information.
NHS Treatment Across West Sussex
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in West Sussex — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: