NHS Treatment in Derrykeighan at a Glance
| NHS dental services | Health and Social Care Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Northern Ireland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Causeway Orthodontic Centre, Coleraine — 6.1 miles; 5 within 10 miles |
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 Derrykeighan
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Derrykeighan; 8 practices within 10 and 10 practices within 20. The closest is Causeway Orthodontic Centre in Coleraine, 6.1 miles west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Causeway Orthodontic Centre, 6.1 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Causeway Orthodontic CentreColeraine | 6.1 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 2.3 (3 reviews) |
| 18 DentalColeraine | 6.9 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (15 reviews) |
| Boyd & Logue Dental SurgeryColeraine | 7.0 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (215 reviews) |
| New Row Dental SurgeryColeraine | 7.2 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.3 (17 reviews) |
| Portrush Dental CarePortrush | 7.8 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (9 reviews) |
| Maine Dental PracticeCullybackey | 18.2 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (12 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Derrykeighan with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Coleraine, 6.1 miles west; the next are Portrush (7.8 miles north-west) and Cullybackey (18.2 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Coleraine | 4 | 6.1 miles west |
| Portrush | 1 | 7.8 miles north-west |
| Cullybackey | 1 | 18.2 miles south |
| Ballymena | 1 | 20.7 miles south-east |
| Magherafelt | 1 | 27.0 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Derrykeighan
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey (5.0 from 12 reviews), 18.2 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Dental PracticeCullybackey | 5.0 (12 reviews) | 18.2 miles south |
| Boyd & Logue Dental SurgeryColeraine | 4.7 (215 reviews) | 7.0 miles west |
| 18 DentalColeraine | 4.7 (15 reviews) | 6.9 miles west |
| New Row Dental SurgeryColeraine | 4.3 (17 reviews) | 7.2 miles west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Derrykeighan, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 38.5 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Causeway Orthodontic Centre, Coleraine, 6.1 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Derrykeighan are commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Derrykeighan focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Derrykeighan
The NHS pathway in Derrykeighan 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 Derrykeighan.
- 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Derrykeighan
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Adults who do qualify pay 80% of the Health Service fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. How long NHS treatment takes to start in Causeway Coast and Glens depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Orthodontic practices in and around Derrykeighan vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. By national deprivation ranking, Derrykeighan is roughly mid-table for Northern Ireland. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Derrykeighan; the nearest is about 6 miles away. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Derrykeighan. The nearest recorded are Causeway Orthodontic Centre in Coleraine, about 6 miles away; Portrush Dental Care, about 8 miles away; and Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey, about 18 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 Derrykeighan?
Many patients in Causeway Coast and Glens 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.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Derrykeighan
Children's orthodontics in Derrykeighan covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Derrykeighan
Space maintainers hold open the gap left by a prematurely lost baby tooth, preventing neighbouring teeth from drifting in before the adult tooth erupts.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Derrykeighan
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Derrykeighan comes down to a structured assessment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Causeway Coast and Glens to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Derrykeighan — Local Context
NHS waiting times in Causeway Coast and Glens are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Derrykeighan
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Derrykeighan?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Derrykeighan is Causeway Orthodontic Centre in Coleraine, about 6.1 miles to the west. The next closest are Pure Dental Hygiene (6.1 miles) and 18 Dental (6.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Derrykeighan?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Derrykeighan, 8 practices within 10 miles and 10 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Coleraine, 6.1 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Derrykeighan?
The nearest practice to Derrykeighan that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Causeway Orthodontic Centre in Coleraine, about 6.1 miles to the west. Others nearby include 18 Dental (6.9 miles) and Boyd & Logue Dental Surgery (7.0 miles).
What NHS area is Derrykeighan in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.
How deprived is Derrykeighan compared with the rest of Northern Ireland?
By the national deprivation index, Derrykeighan is close to the Northern Ireland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Derrykeighan?
Nearby towns include Moss-side, Ballymoney, Causeway Head.
What county is Derrykeighan in?
Derrykeighan falls within Causeway Coast and Glens.
Is NHS orthodontic treatment as good as private?
Clinically, yes — specialist-delivered NHS treatment gets excellent results. The real differences are appliance choice and speed: NHS means metal braces and a wait, private opens up ceramic, aligner and lingual options straight away.
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 Causeway Coast and Glens
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Causeway Coast and Glens — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: