NHS Treatment in Buttsash at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight 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 | 17.1% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6.8% of 1,814 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | SOUTHAMPTON ORTHODONTIC CENTRE L, Southampton — 4.4 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Noadswood School — 1.0 miles Lift New Forest — 1.3 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 16.3% 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 Buttsash
On our practice register: 10 practices within 5 miles of Buttsash, 27 practices within 10 and 64 practices within 20. The closest is Ferry Dental Centre in Southampton, 3.2 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is SOUTHAMPTON ORTHODONTIC CENTRE L, 4.4 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHAMPTON ORTHODONTIC CENTRE LSouthampton | 4.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| Specialist Endodontic CentrePortswood | 4.8 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (92 reviews) |
| Oakley Road Dental PracticeSouthampton | 5.3 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (205 reviews) |
| Highfield Dental & Facial ClinicSouthampton | 5.7 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (356 reviews) |
| Brighter Smile Dental Surgery LtdPortswood | 5.9 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.3 (81 reviews) |
| The Smiles StudioEastleigh | 8.8 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (477 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Buttsash with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Southampton, 4.4 miles north; the next are Portswood (4.8 miles north) and Eastleigh (8.8 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton | 3 | 4.4 miles north |
| Portswood | 2 | 4.8 miles north |
| Eastleigh | 1 | 8.8 miles north |
| North Baddesley | 1 | 9.1 miles north |
| Lee-on-the-Solent | 1 | 9.9 miles east |
| Fareham | 3 | 9.9 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Buttsash
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Specialist Endodontic Centre in Portswood (5.0 from 92 reviews), 4.8 miles north.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Endodontic CentrePortswood | 5.0 (92 reviews) | 4.8 miles north |
| David Gale - The Specialist Orthodontic Referral CentreLee-on-the-Solent | 5.0 (36 reviews) | 9.9 miles east |
| VIDA DentistryFareham | 4.9 (335 reviews) | 9.9 miles east |
| Oakley Road Dental PracticeSouthampton | 4.9 (205 reviews) | 5.3 miles north |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Buttsash, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Damira Dental Studios, 3.5 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is SOUTHAMPTON ORTHODONTIC CENTRE L, 4.4 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Buttsash are commissioned by NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Buttsash, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. Understanding its limits helps families in Buttsash plan around realistic waiting times.
NHS Orthodontic Costs in Buttsash
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Buttsash typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Buttsash
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 Hampshire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Practices serving Buttsash differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Buttsash falls in a less deprived area than most of England. In the census neighbourhood around Buttsash, 6.8% of the 1,814 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 7.1% average across Hampshire, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. Classified by ONS as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, Buttsash sits within NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. 17.1% of Buttsash's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census. Secondary-age pupils near Buttsash attend schools such as Noadswood School (1.0 miles) and Lift New Forest (1.3 miles). 3 secondary schools are within three miles. Buttsash has 10 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 75% of towns in England. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Buttsash itself. The nearest recorded are Ferry Dental Centre in Southampton, about 3 miles away; Smilemakers in Bursledon, about 4 miles away; and Specialist Endodontic Centre in Portswood, 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 the NHS Route Works in Buttsash
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Buttsash 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 Buttsash.
- 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.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Buttsash
Children's orthodontics in Buttsash covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
NHS Treatment for Children in Buttsash
Eligible children under 18 in Buttsash are entitled to NHS orthodontic treatment free of charge. The process starts with a dentist IOTN assessment and formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Buttsash
Many patients in Buttsash are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Hampshire apply the same national criteria consistently. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
What Is IOTN?
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Buttsash
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Buttsash?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Buttsash is Ferry Dental Centre in Southampton, about 3.2 miles to the north. The next closest are Dentistry @ Oceana Boulevard (3.3 miles) and Portland Street Dental Care (3.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Buttsash?
Our register has 10 practices within 5 miles of Buttsash, 27 practices within 10 miles and 64 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Buttsash?
The nearest practice to Buttsash that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is SOUTHAMPTON ORTHODONTIC CENTRE L, about 4.4 miles to the north. Others nearby include Specialist Endodontic Centre (4.8 miles) and Oakley Road Dental Practice (5.3 miles).
Is Buttsash a family area?
Census data puts 17.1% of Buttsash's population at under 16.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Buttsash?
NHS dental commissioning in Buttsash falls under NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board.
Is Buttsash rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Buttsash falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How deprived is Buttsash compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Buttsash is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
How long does NHS treatment take?
Most NHS fixed brace treatment takes 18–24 months for moderate cases. More complex cases may take longer. Your orthodontist will give an estimate after the initial 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 Hampshire
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