NHS Treatment in Magheramorne 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 | Less deprived than most of Northern Ireland |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Clements Dental Care, Carrickfergus — 7.6 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast — about 18 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 Magheramorne
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Magheramorne; 2 practices within 10 and 38 practices within 20. The closest is Clements Dental Care in Carrickfergus, 7.6 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Clements Dental Care, 7.6 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clements Dental CareCarrickfergus | 7.6 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (26 reviews) |
| Monkstown DentalJordanstown | 10.9 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (30 reviews) |
| Abbey Dental ClinicNewtownabbey | 11.1 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.4 (37 reviews) |
| Clear Dental, AntrimBangor | 11.6 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (4 reviews) |
| Clandeboye Dental ClinicBangor | 12.0 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (14 reviews) |
| Holywood Dental CareHolywood | 12.8 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.2 (15 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Magheramorne with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Carrickfergus, 7.6 miles south; the next are Jordanstown (10.9 miles south-west) and Newtownabbey (11.1 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Carrickfergus | 1 | 7.6 miles south |
| Jordanstown | 1 | 10.9 miles south-west |
| Newtownabbey | 1 | 11.1 miles south-west |
| Bangor | 2 | 11.6 miles south |
| Holywood | 1 | 12.8 miles south |
| Belfast | 6 | 15.8 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Magheramorne
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Greenwood Specialist Dental Clinic in Belfast (5.0 from 82 reviews), 16.1 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwood Specialist Dental ClinicBelfast | 5.0 (82 reviews) | 16.1 miles south |
| Ardent Dental CareNewtownards | 5.0 (18 reviews) | 16.1 miles south |
| Castlebawn Dental PracticeNewtownards | 4.9 (389 reviews) | 16.0 miles south |
| Beechview Dental CareBelfast | 4.9 (286 reviews) | 17.9 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 Magheramorne, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 13 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Clements Dental Care, Carrickfergus, 7.6 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast in Belfast, about 18 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Magheramorne 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 Magheramorne focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Mid and East Antrim.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Magheramorne
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 Mid and East Antrim depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Not every practice near Magheramorne offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. National deprivation data ranks Magheramorne among Northern Ireland's less deprived areas. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Magheramorne is Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast in Belfast, about 18 miles away. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. People in Magheramorne usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 8 miles away. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Magheramorne. The nearest we do hold are Clements Dental Care in Carrickfergus, about 8 miles away; Helens Bay Dental Practice Bangor, about 11 miles away; and Monkstown Dental in Jordanstown, about 11 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.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Magheramorne
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Private treatment in Magheramorne 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 Waiting Times in Magheramorne
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Mid and East Antrim vary and can range from 12 to 36 months from referral to treatment starting. For families where timing is important — particularly approaching the optimal treatment age — private orthodontics eliminates the wait entirely and typically begins within a few weeks of consultation.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Magheramorne
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. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
How Eligibility Is Scored
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Mid and East Antrim.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Magheramorne
For many families in Magheramorne, 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. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Magheramorne
Children in Magheramorne 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 Magheramorne
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Magheramorne?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Magheramorne is Clements Dental Care in Carrickfergus, about 7.6 miles to the south. The next closest are Clements Michael (7.6 miles) and Helens Bay Dental Practice Bangor (10.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Magheramorne?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Magheramorne, 2 practices within 10 miles and 38 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Carrickfergus, 7.6 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Magheramorne?
The nearest practice to Magheramorne that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Clements Dental Care in Carrickfergus, about 7.6 miles to the south. Others nearby include Monkstown Dental (10.9 miles) and Abbey Dental Clinic (11.1 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Magheramorne?
NHS dental commissioning in Magheramorne falls under Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.
How deprived is Magheramorne compared with the rest of Northern Ireland?
By the national deprivation index, Magheramorne is less deprived than most of Northern Ireland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Magheramorne?
Nearby towns include Glynn, Whitehead, Ballycarry.
Which county covers Magheramorne?
Magheramorne is in Mid and East Antrim.
How much do NHS braces cost?
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. 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 Mid and East Antrim
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Mid and East Antrim — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: