NHS Treatment in Cosham 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 | 16.8% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 7% of 1,562 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Southsea Orthodontics, Waterlooville — 2.3 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Springfield School — 0.7 miles Purbrook Park School — 1.1 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 Cosham
On our practice register: 18 practices within 5 miles of Cosham, 26 practices within 10 and 73 practices within 20. The closest is Coast Dental Health in Portsmouth, 2.0 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Southsea Orthodontics, 2.3 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southsea OrthodonticsWaterlooville | 2.3 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (136 reviews) |
| Magnolia House Dental PracticeHavant | 3.5 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (283 reviews) |
| Victoria Dental PracticeSouthsea | 4.3 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (36 reviews) |
| SOUTHSEA ORTHODONTIC PRACTICESouthsea | 4.3 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| DAVID GALE - THE SPECIALIST ORTHODONTIC REFERRAL CENTREFareham | 4.8 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| ORTHODONTICA LIMITEDFareham | 4.8 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Cosham with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Waterlooville, 2.3 miles north-east; the next are Havant (3.5 miles east) and Southsea (4.3 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Waterlooville | 1 | 2.3 miles north-east |
| Havant | 1 | 3.5 miles east |
| Southsea | 2 | 4.3 miles south |
| Fareham | 3 | 4.8 miles west |
| Gosport | 1 | 5.6 miles south-west |
| Lee-on-the-Solent | 1 | 6.8 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Cosham
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is David Gale - The Specialist Orthodontic Referral Centre in Lee-on-the-Solent (5.0 from 36 reviews), 6.8 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| David Gale - The Specialist Orthodontic Referral CentreLee-on-the-Solent | 5.0 (36 reviews) | 6.8 miles south-west |
| VIDA DentistryFareham | 4.9 (335 reviews) | 4.9 miles west |
| Contour OrthodontistsWinchester | 4.9 (76 reviews) | 11.9 miles north-east |
| Magnolia House Dental PracticeHavant | 4.8 (283 reviews) | 3.5 miles east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Cosham, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, under a mile away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Southsea Orthodontics, Waterlooville, 2.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Cosham 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.
NHS orthodontics in Cosham 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. Understanding its limits helps families in Cosham plan around realistic waiting times.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Cosham
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 Portsmouth are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Cosham has no orthodontic practice of its own, but a dentist — Bupa Dental Care — is under a mile away, and a general dentist is who most people ask for an orthodontic referral in the first place. Cosham's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of England. In the census neighbourhood around Cosham, 7% of the 1,562 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 6.7% average across Portsmouth, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. Classified by ONS as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, Cosham sits within NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. 16.8% of Cosham's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census. Secondary-age pupils near Cosham attend schools such as Springfield School (0.7 miles) and Purbrook Park School (1.1 miles). 11 secondary schools are within three miles. DfE figures put 65 schools and 29,581 pupils across Cosham's Local Authority. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (17), Cosham has more choice than 88% of towns in England. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Cosham. The nearest recorded are Coast Dental Health in Portsmouth, about 2 miles away; Belgrave House Dental Practice in Waterlooville, about 2 miles away; and Hampshire Endodontics, Havant, about 4 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.
NHS Orthodontic Costs in Cosham
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Private treatment in Cosham 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Cosham
For eligible patients in Cosham, the NHS route follows a defined sequence from dentist to specialist:
- 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 Cosham.
- 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.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Cosham
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. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
How Eligibility Is Scored
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Portsmouth.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Cosham
For many families in Cosham, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
NHS Treatment for Children in Cosham
Eligible children under 18 in Cosham 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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Cosham
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Cosham?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Cosham is Coast Dental Health in Portsmouth, about 2.0 miles to the south. The next closest are Belgrave House Dental Practice (2.3 miles) and Southsea Orthodontics (2.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Cosham?
Our register has 18 practices within 5 miles of Cosham, 26 practices within 10 miles and 73 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Cosham?
The nearest practice to Cosham that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Southsea Orthodontics in Waterlooville, about 2.3 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include Magnolia House Dental Practice (3.5 miles) and Victoria Dental Practice (4.3 miles).
How deprived is Cosham compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Cosham is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Cosham?
NHS dental commissioning in Cosham falls under NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board.
What kind of area is Cosham?
ONS classifies Cosham as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
What county is Cosham in?
Cosham falls within Portsmouth.
Can I switch from the NHS waiting list to private?
Yes — you can start private treatment at any time, including while on an NHS waiting list. Many patients do this to avoid a long wait or to access ceramic or aligner options. You don't have to formally leave the NHS list first, though it's courteous to let the practice know.
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 Portsmouth
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Portsmouth — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: