NHS Treatment in Coombes 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 | Less deprived than most of England |
| Residents under 16 | 21.8% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 13.9% of 1,385 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, Shoreham-by-Sea — 2.5 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | The Sir Robert Woodard Academy — 2.0 miles Steyning Grammar School — 2.5 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 14.4% 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 Coombes
On our practice register: 9 practices within 5 miles of Coombes, 28 practices within 10 and 57 practices within 20. The closest is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, 2.5 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, 2.5 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsend Dental : RuislipShoreham-by-Sea | 2.5 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (667 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental PracticeWorthing | 3.9 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (128 reviews) |
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.2 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (144 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental CentreWorthing | 4.2 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (143 reviews) |
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 4.6 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (243 reviews) |
| TwentyOneDentalBrighton | 6.0 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (386 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Coombes with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Shoreham-by-Sea, 2.5 miles south-east; the next are Worthing (3.9 miles south-west) and Brighton (6.0 miles east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreham-by-Sea | 1 | 2.5 miles south-east |
| Worthing | 4 | 3.9 miles south-west |
| Brighton | 4 | 6.0 miles east |
| Hove | 2 | 6.7 miles east |
| Burgess Hill | 2 | 10.1 miles north-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Coombes
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Burgess Hill Dental (5.0 from 369 reviews), 10.1 miles north-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Burgess Hill DentalBurgess Hill | 5.0 (369 reviews) | 10.1 miles north-east |
| George Billis EndodonticsBurgess Hill | 5.0 (18 reviews) | 10.1 miles north-east |
| Splash OrthodonticsBrighton | 4.9 (649 reviews) | 6.1 miles east |
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.9 (144 reviews) | 4.2 miles south-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Coombes, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Emergency Dental Centre, 4.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, Shoreham-by-Sea, 2.5 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Coombes 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.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Coombes focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across West Sussex.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Coombes?
Many patients in West Sussex 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 vs Private Fees in Coombes
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Private treatment in Coombes trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Coombes
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 waiting times in West Sussex are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Provision in Coombes varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. National deprivation data ranks Coombes among England's less deprived areas. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 13.9% of the 1,385 residents in Coombes's census neighbourhood, above the 7% average across West Sussex. Coombes is classified as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board. Census figures show 21.8% of the local population is under 16. Families in Coombes are served by secondary schools including The Sir Robert Woodard Academy (2.0 miles) and Steyning Grammar School (2.5 miles). 2 secondary schools are within three miles. With 9 orthodontic practices within five miles, Coombes is better served than 72% of towns in England. There is no orthodontist on our records in Coombes itself. The closest on record are Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 2 miles away; Worthing Dental Practice, about 4 miles away; and TwentyOneDental in Brighton, about 6 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 Coombes
For many families in Coombes, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Children's Orthodontics in Coombes — Local Context
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Coombes. 21.8% of Coombes's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census. In the census neighbourhood around Coombes, 13.9% of the 1,385 residents are aged 10 to 15, above the 7% average across West Sussex, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. The closest secondary schools to Coombes are The Sir Robert Woodard Academy (2.0 miles) and Steyning Grammar School (2.5 miles). 2 secondary schools are within three miles. ONS classifies Coombes as urban: Nearer to a major town or city. For NHS dental services, Coombes falls under NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board. National deprivation data ranks Coombes among England's less deprived areas. Coombes has 9 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 72% of towns in England. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Coombes
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across West Sussex to decide who receives funded treatment. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Eligibility in Coombes — Local Context
Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in West Sussex differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Coombes
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Coombes?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Coombes is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 2.5 miles to the south-east. The next closest are Worthing Dental Practice (3.9 miles) and Clinic for Implant & Orthodontic Dentistry (4.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Coombes?
Our register has 9 practices within 5 miles of Coombes, 28 practices within 10 miles and 57 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Coombes?
The nearest practice to Coombes that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 2.5 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include Worthing Dental Practice (3.9 miles) and Strand Dental Worthing (4.2 miles).
How many families live in Coombes?
Census data puts 21.8% of Coombes's population at under 16.
Which NHS body covers Coombes for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board.
Is Coombes rural or urban?
ONS classifies Coombes as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How deprived is Coombes compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Coombes is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
How much do NHS braces cost?
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. 18-year-olds in qualifying full-time education are also exempt, as are adults on certain benefits or low incomes, and one charge covers the full course from fitting to retainers.
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: