NHS Treatment in Black Green at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Central East Integrated Care Board |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults pay Band 3 (£332.10) |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of England |
| Residents under 16 | 20% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 7.5% of 1,353 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | ST ALBANS ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, St Albans — 2.9 miles; 18 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Saint Michael's Catholic High School — 1.3 miles Parmiter's School — 1.3 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | UCL Eastman Dental Hospital, London — about 16 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 12.5% 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 Black Green
On our practice register: 22 practices within 5 miles of Black Green, 72 practices within 10 and 290 practices within 20. The closest is UK Dental Specialists in St Albans, 1.2 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is ST ALBANS ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, 2.9 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST ALBANS ORTHODONTIC CENTRESt Albans | 2.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| The Maltings Dental SurgerySt Albans | 3.0 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.3 (1,236 reviews) |
| Regency House Dental Clinic and Implant CentreSt Albans | 3.2 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (184 reviews) |
| WATFORD ORTHODONTIC CENTREWatford | 3.2 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| St Albans OrthodonticsSt Albans | 3.3 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (185 reviews) |
| Alban City Dental & Surgical CentreSt Albans | 3.4 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (110 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Black Green with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is St Albans, 2.9 miles north; the next are Watford (3.2 miles south-west) and Hemel Hempstead (5.1 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| St Albans | 5 | 2.9 miles north |
| Watford | 6 | 3.2 miles south-west |
| Hemel Hempstead | 4 | 5.1 miles west |
| Borehamwood | 1 | 5.2 miles south-east |
| Shenley | 1 | 5.2 miles south-east |
| Apsley | 1 | 5.7 miles north-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Black Green
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Regency House Dental Clinic and Implant Centre in St Albans (5.0 from 184 reviews), 3.2 miles north.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Regency House Dental Clinic and Implant CentreSt Albans | 5.0 (184 reviews) | 3.2 miles north |
| Landmark DentalHemel Hempstead | 5.0 (158 reviews) | 5.1 miles west |
| Alban City Dental & Surgical CentreSt Albans | 5.0 (110 reviews) | 3.4 miles north |
| Fitze Dental ClinicsHemel Hempstead | 4.9 (197 reviews) | 5.1 miles west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Black Green, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 3.4 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is ST ALBANS ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, 2.9 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is UCL Eastman Dental Hospital in London, about 16 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Black Green are commissioned by NHS Central East Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Black Green funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Hertfordshire.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Black Green
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. NHS orthodontic waiting times in Hertfordshire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Provision in Black Green varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. National deprivation data ranks Black Green among England's less deprived areas. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 7.5% of the 1,353 residents in Black Green's census neighbourhood, close to the 7.8% average across Hertfordshire. The nearest university dental hospital to Black Green is UCL Eastman Dental Hospital, London, about 16 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. NHS Central East Integrated Care Board is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Black Green. Officially, Black Green is categorised as urban: Nearer to a major town or city. Census data puts 20% of Black Green's population at under 16. Families in Black Green are served by secondary schools including Saint Michael's Catholic High School (1.3 miles) and Parmiter's School (1.3 miles). 5 secondary schools are within three miles. Black Green has 22 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 92% of towns in England. There is no orthodontist on our records in Black Green itself. The nearest we do hold are UK Dental Specialists in St Albans, about a mile away; Maidenhead Orthodontic Centre in Watford, about 3 miles away; and Fitze Dental Clinics in Hemel Hempstead, about 5 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Black Green?
Many patients in Hertfordshire wait 18 months or longer between NHS referral and treatment starting. During this period teeth continue to develop and cases can become more complex. Private treatment, while more expensive, begins promptly and offers far greater choice of treatment type.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Black Green
The NHS pathway in Black Green is well-structured — here's what to expect at each stage:
- 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 Black Green.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Black Green
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Black Green?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Black Green is UK Dental Specialists in St Albans, about 1.2 miles to the north. The next closest are ST ALBANS ORTHODONTIC CENTRE (2.9 miles) and The Maltings Dental Surgery (3.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Black Green?
Our register has 22 practices within 5 miles of Black Green, 72 practices within 10 miles and 290 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Black Green?
The nearest practice to Black Green that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is ST ALBANS ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, about 2.9 miles to the north. Others nearby include The Maltings Dental Surgery (3.0 miles) and Regency House Dental Clinic and Implant Centre (3.2 miles).
Is Black Green a family area?
Census data puts 20% of Black Green's population at under 16.
What NHS area is Black Green in for dental services?
Black Green sits within NHS Central East Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning.
Is Black Green rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Black Green falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How deprived is Black Green compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Black Green is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
It's a genuine risk on a long waiting list — NHS funding is age-sensitive, so a case eligible at 16 might be assessed differently at 18. If you're close to that age and eligible now, ask about timescales; it can tip the decision toward going private.
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 Hertfordshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Hertfordshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: