NHS Treatment in Bushwood at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Coventry and Warwickshire 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 | 14.7% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 5.4% of 1,651 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Designer Smiles - Solihull, Solihull — 6.5 miles; 14 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Henley In Arden School — 2.8 miles Arden — 4.4 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Birmingham Dental Hospital, Birmingham — about 13 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 12.3% 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 Bushwood
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Bushwood; 51 practices within 10 and 144 practices within 20. The closest is Orthodontic Excellence in Solihull, 6.4 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Designer Smiles - Solihull, 6.5 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designer Smiles - SolihullSolihull | 6.5 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (102 reviews) |
| Beyond Dental CheltenhamSolihull | 6.7 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (240 reviews) |
| Eternal Smiles Dental CentreSolihull | 6.7 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.4 (302 reviews) |
| The Dental Place WarwickWarwick | 6.8 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (232 reviews) |
| Orthodontics For YouSolihull | 7.1 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.3 (116 reviews) |
| Solihull Orthodontic CentreShirley | 7.1 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (8 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Bushwood with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Solihull, 6.5 miles north; the next are Warwick (6.8 miles south-east) and Shirley (7.1 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Solihull | 4 | 6.5 miles north |
| Warwick | 4 | 6.8 miles south-east |
| Shirley | 2 | 7.1 miles north-west |
| Acocks Green | 1 | 8.6 miles north-west |
| Royal Leamington Spa | 1 | 8.7 miles east |
| Astwood Bank | 1 | 8.9 miles west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Bushwood
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Stratford Orthodontics in Stratford-upon-Avon (5.0 from 865 reviews), 8.9 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Stratford OrthodonticsStratford-upon-Avon | 5.0 (865 reviews) | 8.9 miles south |
| The Dental Place WarwickWarwick | 5.0 (232 reviews) | 6.8 miles south-east |
| Orthoral Leamington spaWarwick | 5.0 (13 reviews) | 8.8 miles east |
| The Grove PracticeWarwick | 4.9 (208 reviews) | 8.6 miles east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Bushwood, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Solihull Manor Road Dental Care, 7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Designer Smiles - Solihull, 6.5 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Birmingham Dental Hospital in Birmingham, about 13 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Bushwood are commissioned by NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Bushwood, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Warwickshire.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Bushwood
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 Warwickshire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Provision in Bushwood varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. National deprivation data puts Bushwood close to the England median. OHID's regional oral-health data records visible dental decay in 19.2% of local 5-year-olds. Census 2021 counts 1,651 residents in the neighbourhood around Bushwood, 5.4% of them aged 10 to 15, below the 6.6% average across Warwickshire. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Bushwood is Birmingham Dental Hospital in Birmingham, about 13 miles away. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board. By ONS classification, Bushwood falls under smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city. Bushwood's under-16 share sits at 14.7%, per the 2021 Census. Families in Bushwood are served by secondary schools including Henley In Arden School (2.8 miles) and Arden (4.4 miles). 1 secondary school is within three miles. People in Bushwood usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 6 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Bushwood itself. The closest on record are Orthodontic Excellence in Solihull, about 6 miles away; Clear Braces Solihull in Dickens Heath, about 7 miles away; and The Dental Place Warwick, about 7 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 Bushwood?
Many patients in Warwickshire 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.
How the NHS Route Works in Bushwood
The NHS pathway in Bushwood 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 Bushwood.
- 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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Bushwood
Children's orthodontics in Bushwood covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Bushwood
Children in Bushwood who meet the IOTN eligibility threshold are entitled to NHS-funded orthodontic treatment. Referrals are made by the child's dentist once most adult teeth have erupted. NHS treatment for children is almost always metal fixed braces.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Bushwood?
Many patients in Bushwood are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Bushwood.
Understanding the IOTN Score
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Warwickshire.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Bushwood
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Bushwood?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Bushwood is Orthodontic Excellence in Solihull, about 6.4 miles to the north. The next closest are Designer Smiles - Solihull (6.5 miles) and Clear Braces Solihull (6.7 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Bushwood?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Bushwood, 51 practices within 10 miles and 144 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Solihull, 6.4 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Bushwood?
The nearest practice to Bushwood that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Designer Smiles - Solihull, about 6.5 miles to the north. Others nearby include Beyond Dental Cheltenham (6.7 miles) and Eternal Smiles Dental Centre (6.7 miles).
Is tooth decay common among young children near Bushwood?
Regionally, 19.2% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay, per OHID data.
What kind of area is Bushwood?
ONS classifies Bushwood as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
How deprived is Bushwood compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Bushwood is close to the England average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What county is Bushwood in?
Bushwood falls within Warwickshire.
How do I get an NHS referral?
Visit your dentist and ask for an orthodontic assessment. If your IOTN score meets the threshold, they will make a formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service. Some practices also accept self-referrals.
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 Warwickshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Warwickshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: