NHS Treatment in Fontwell 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 | 12.5% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6% of 1,842 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Sussex Orthodontics, Bognor Regis — 5.2 miles; 4 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Ormiston Six Villages Academy — 1.5 miles St Philip Howard Catholic School — 1.8 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 21.4% 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 Fontwell
On our practice register: 1 practice within 5 miles of Fontwell, 17 practices within 10 and 43 practices within 20. The closest is Newholme Dental Practice in Bognor Regis, 4.6 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Sussex Orthodontics, 5.2 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex OrthodonticsBognor Regis | 5.2 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (137 reviews) |
| PALENT ORTHODONTICS (1 ODEON BUILDINGS)Bognor Regis | 5.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| Basin Road Dental SurgeryChichester | 6.0 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (46 reviews) |
| Chichester Dental PracticeChichester | 6.3 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (73 reviews) |
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 11.6 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (243 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental PracticeWorthing | 12.4 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (128 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Fontwell with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Bognor Regis, 5.2 miles south; the next are Chichester (6.0 miles west) and Worthing (11.6 miles east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Bognor Regis | 2 | 5.2 miles south |
| Chichester | 2 | 6.0 miles west |
| Worthing | 4 | 11.6 miles east |
| Havant | 1 | 14.4 miles west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Fontwell
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Strand Dental Worthing (4.9 from 144 reviews), 12.6 miles east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.9 (144 reviews) | 12.6 miles east |
| Magnolia House Dental PracticeHavant | 4.8 (283 reviews) | 14.4 miles west |
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 4.8 (243 reviews) | 11.6 miles east |
| Sussex OrthodonticsBognor Regis | 4.8 (137 reviews) | 5.2 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Fontwell, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Little London Dental Clinic, 5.7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Sussex Orthodontics, Bognor Regis, 5.2 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Fontwell 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.
NHS orthodontics in Fontwell funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across West Sussex.
NHS Orthodontic Costs in Fontwell
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Going private for the same metal braces in Fontwell costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Fontwell
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 West Sussex differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Practices serving Fontwell differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. By national deprivation ranking, Fontwell sits among the less deprived areas of England. In the census neighbourhood around Fontwell, 6% of the 1,842 residents are aged 10 to 15, below the 7% average across West Sussex, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Fontwell. Fontwell's ONS geography type is urban: Nearer to a major town or city. Fontwell has a smaller share of children than most areas — 12.5% of residents are under 16. The closest secondary schools to Fontwell are Ormiston Six Villages Academy (1.5 miles) and St Philip Howard Catholic School (1.8 miles). 2 secondary schools are within three miles. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Fontwell itself. The closest on record are Newholme Dental Practice in Bognor Regis, about 5 miles away; City Dental Lab Ltd in Chichester, about 5 miles away; and The Admor Group in Littlehampton, 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Fontwell
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Fontwell 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 Fontwell.
- 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 Fontwell
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. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Fontwell.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Fontwell?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Fontwell is almost exclusively for patients under 18. Adult NHS orthodontic slots are very limited and reserved for exceptional functional cases. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment should plan for private care — no waiting list and full choice of treatment type.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Fontwell
Children's orthodontics in Fontwell 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. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
NHS Treatment for Children in Fontwell
Eligible children under 18 in Fontwell 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 Fontwell
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Fontwell?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Fontwell is Newholme Dental Practice in Bognor Regis, about 4.6 miles to the south. The next closest are City Dental Lab Ltd (5.1 miles) and Transform Smiles Specialist Dental Centre (5.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Fontwell?
Our register has 1 practice within 5 miles of Fontwell, 17 practices within 10 miles and 43 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Fontwell?
The nearest practice to Fontwell that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Sussex Orthodontics in Bognor Regis, about 5.2 miles to the south. Others nearby include PALENT ORTHODONTICS (1 ODEON BUILDINGS) (5.2 miles) and Basin Road Dental Surgery (6.0 miles).
Is Fontwell rural or urban?
ONS classifies Fontwell as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How big is Fontwell?
Around 1,941 people live in Fontwell.
How deprived is Fontwell compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Fontwell is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What county is Fontwell in?
Fontwell is in West Sussex.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
Almost always metal fixed braces — ceramic, lingual and aligner treatment aren't NHS options. A less visible appliance means going private.
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
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