NHS Treatment in Burnham at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Thames Valley 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 | 18% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 7.7% of 1,740 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | MAIDENHEAD ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, Maidenhead — 2.6 miles; 14 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Burnham Grammar School — 0.9 miles Beechwood School — 2.1 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | UCL Eastman Dental Hospital, London — about 24 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 11% 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 Burnham
On our practice register: 20 practices within 5 miles of Burnham, 46 practices within 10 and 208 practices within 20. The closest is Acorn Dental Care in Maidenhead, 2.2 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is MAIDENHEAD ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, 2.6 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAIDENHEAD ORTHODONTIC CENTREMaidenhead | 2.6 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| Abbey Dental SurgerySlough | 2.7 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.1 (92 reviews) |
| Acorn Dental CareSlough | 3.4 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.0 (93 reviews) |
| Smile Dental Care - NHS Dentistry in SloughSlough | 3.7 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 3.9 (803 reviews) |
| Maple OrthodonticsSlough | 3.8 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 3.8 (91 reviews) |
| MakingSmiles BeaconsfieldBeaconsfield | 4.6 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (19 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Burnham with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Maidenhead, 2.6 miles south-west; the next are Slough (2.7 miles south-east) and Beaconsfield (4.6 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Maidenhead | 1 | 2.6 miles south-west |
| Slough | 6 | 2.7 miles south-east |
| Beaconsfield | 2 | 4.6 miles north |
| Windsor | 2 | 4.8 miles south-east |
| Marlow | 1 | 5.1 miles north-west |
| Colnbrook | 1 | 6.1 miles south-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Burnham
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Enhance Dental Centre. in High Wycombe (4.9 from 1,030 reviews), 7.0 miles north-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Enhance Dental Centre.High Wycombe | 4.9 (1,030 reviews) | 7.0 miles north-west |
| Smile Rooms WindsorWindsor | 4.9 (515 reviews) | 4.8 miles south-east |
| Old Windsor Dental PracticeWindsor | 4.7 (68 reviews) | 6.6 miles south-east |
| MakingSmiles BeaconsfieldBeaconsfield | 4.5 (19 reviews) | 4.6 miles north |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Burnham, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Acorn Dental Care, 2.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is MAIDENHEAD ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, 2.6 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 24 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Burnham are commissioned by NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Burnham follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Understanding its limits helps families in Burnham plan around realistic waiting times.
How the NHS Route Works in Burnham
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Burnham 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 Burnham.
- 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Burnham?
Many patients in Buckinghamshire 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Burnham
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 Buckinghamshire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Burnham — comparing a couple is worthwhile. National deprivation data ranks Burnham among England's less deprived areas. In the census neighbourhood around Burnham, 7.7% of the 1,740 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 7.7% average across Buckinghamshire, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Burnham is about 24 miles from UCL Eastman Dental Hospital in London. Burnham is classified as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board. Census data puts 18% of Burnham's population at under 16. Secondary-age pupils near Burnham attend schools such as Burnham Grammar School (0.9 miles) and Beechwood School (2.1 miles). 8 secondary schools are within three miles. There are 270 schools and 98,299 pupils in Burnham's Local Authority area, per DfE data. With 20 orthodontic practices within five miles, Burnham is better served than 91% of towns in England. There is no orthodontist on our records in Burnham itself. The closest on record are Acorn Dental Care in Maidenhead, about 2 miles away; Abbey Dental Surgery in Slough, about 3 miles away; and MakingSmiles Beaconsfield, 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Burnham
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
The Age-7 Assessment
British Orthodontic Society guidance points to age 7 for an assessment where there's a noticeable concern — by then most children have their first permanent molars and incisors through, which is enough for an orthodontist to judge jaw relationships, arch development, bite and likely future crowding.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Burnham
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Burnham — Local Context
Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in Buckinghamshire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Burnham
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Burnham?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Burnham is Acorn Dental Care in Maidenhead, about 2.2 miles to the south-west. The next closest are MAIDENHEAD ORTHODONTIC CENTRE (2.6 miles) and Abbey Dental Surgery (2.7 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Burnham?
Our register has 20 practices within 5 miles of Burnham, 46 practices within 10 miles and 208 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Burnham?
The nearest practice to Burnham that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is MAIDENHEAD ORTHODONTIC CENTRE, about 2.6 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include Abbey Dental Surgery (2.7 miles) and Acorn Dental Care (3.4 miles).
How deprived is Burnham compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Burnham is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What county is Burnham in?
Burnham is in Buckinghamshire.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Burnham?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board.
How many families live in Burnham?
18% of the local population is under 16, per the most recent Census.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
NHS braces are almost always metal fixed braces. Ceramic, lingual, or clear aligner treatment is not available on the NHS. If you want a less visible option, private orthodontics is required.
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 Buckinghamshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Buckinghamshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: