NHS Treatment in Headley 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 | Around the England average |
| Residents under 16 | 7.2% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 3% of 1,848 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Dental Elements, Leatherhead — 2.4 miles; 14 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | St Andrew's Catholic School — 2.2 miles Therfield School — 3.0 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Guy's Hospital Dental Institute, London — about 18 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 20.7% 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 Headley
On our practice register: 16 practices within 5 miles of Headley, 60 practices within 10 and 272 practices within 20. The closest is Forever Dental and Skin in Ashtead, 2.2 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Dental Elements, 2.4 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental ElementsLeatherhead | 2.4 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (550 reviews) |
| Epsom OrthodonticsEpsom | 3.8 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (162 reviews) |
| Epsom Smiles Dental PracticeEpsom | 3.8 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (141 reviews) |
| Epsom Dental CentreEpsom | 3.9 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (398 reviews) |
| Reigate Specialist Orthodontic PracticeRedhill | 4.1 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (141 reviews) |
| REIGATE SPECIALIST ORTHODONTIC PRACTICEReigate | 4.1 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Headley with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Leatherhead, 2.4 miles north-west; the next are Epsom (3.8 miles north) and Redhill (4.1 miles south-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Leatherhead | 1 | 2.4 miles north-west |
| Epsom | 3 | 3.8 miles north |
| Redhill | 1 | 4.1 miles south-east |
| Reigate | 2 | 4.1 miles south-east |
| Ewell | 1 | 5.7 miles north |
| Sutton | 3 | 6.3 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 Headley
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Ewell Orthodontics (5.0 from 379 reviews), 5.7 miles north.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ewell OrthodonticsEwell | 5.0 (379 reviews) | 5.7 miles north |
| Reigate Specialist Orthodontic PracticeRedhill | 5.0 (141 reviews) | 4.1 miles south-east |
| Epsom Dental CentreEpsom | 4.9 (398 reviews) | 3.9 miles north |
| 72 DentalCoulsdon | 4.8 (675 reviews) | 6.9 miles north-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Headley, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is St Stephens House Surgery Dental Practice, 2.8 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Dental Elements, Leatherhead, 2.4 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Guy's Hospital Dental Institute in London, about 18 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Headley 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 Headley 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 Surrey.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Headley
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Equivalent private metal braces in Headley 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 Headley
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 Surrey differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Provision in Headley varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Headley sits close to the England average for deprivation. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 3% of the 1,848 residents in Headley's census neighbourhood, below the 7.6% average across Surrey. The nearest university dental hospital to Headley is Guy's Hospital Dental Institute, London, about 18 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. For NHS dental services, Headley falls under NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board. ONS classifies Headley as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city. With just 7.2% of residents under 16, Headley skews toward an older population. Families in Headley are served by secondary schools including St Andrew's Catholic School (2.2 miles) and Therfield School (3.0 miles). 2 secondary schools are within three miles. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (16), Headley has more choice than 87% of towns in England. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Headley itself. The closest on record are Forever Dental and Skin in Ashtead, about 2 miles away; Crescent Dental Practice in Leatherhead, about 2 miles away; and Orthodonticlinic in Fetcham, about 3 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 Headley
The NHS pathway in Headley 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 Headley.
- 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Headley?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Headley.
How Eligibility Is Scored
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Surrey.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Headley
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. 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.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Headley
Children in Headley who meet the IOTN eligibility threshold are entitled to NHS-funded orthodontic treatment. Referrals are made by the child's dentist once most adult teeth have erupted. NHS treatment for children is almost always metal fixed braces.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Headley
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Headley?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Headley is Forever Dental and Skin in Ashtead, about 2.2 miles to the north. The next closest are Crescent Dental Practice (2.3 miles) and Dental Elements (2.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Headley?
Our register has 16 practices within 5 miles of Headley, 60 practices within 10 miles and 272 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Headley?
The nearest practice to Headley that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Dental Elements in Leatherhead, about 2.4 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include Epsom Orthodontics (3.8 miles) and Epsom Smiles Dental Practice (3.8 miles).
What towns are near Headley?
The Hermitage, Tadworth, Tyrrell's Wood are within easy reach of Headley.
Is Headley rural or urban?
ONS classifies Headley as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
What is the population of Headley?
Headley has a population of around 774.
How many families live in Headley?
Census data puts 7.2% of Headley's population at under 16.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Headley?
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Surrey typically range from 12 to 24 months — and in some areas longer. Private treatment has no waiting list and usually begins within weeks of consultation.
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 Surrey
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Surrey — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: