NHS Treatment in Old Shoreham 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 | More deprived than most of England |
| Residents under 16 | 18.3% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6.3% of 1,509 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, Shoreham-by-Sea — under a mile; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | The Sir Robert Woodard Academy — 1.8 miles Shoreham Academy — 1.9 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 23.7% 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 Old Shoreham
On our practice register: 11 practices within 5 miles of Old Shoreham, 28 practices within 10 and 55 practices within 20. The closest is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, 0.9 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, 0.9 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsend Dental : RuislipShoreham-by-Sea | 0.9 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (667 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental PracticeWorthing | 3.8 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (128 reviews) |
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.0 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (144 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental CentreWorthing | 4.0 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (143 reviews) |
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 4.7 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (243 reviews) |
| TwentyOneDentalBrighton | 4.8 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (386 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Old Shoreham with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Shoreham-by-Sea, 0.9 miles south-east; the next are Worthing (3.8 miles west) and Brighton (4.8 miles east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreham-by-Sea | 1 | 0.9 miles south-east |
| Worthing | 4 | 3.8 miles west |
| Brighton | 4 | 4.8 miles east |
| Hove | 2 | 5.8 miles east |
| Burgess Hill | 2 | 10.5 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 Old Shoreham
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Burgess Hill Dental (5.0 from 369 reviews), 10.5 miles north-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Burgess Hill DentalBurgess Hill | 5.0 (369 reviews) | 10.5 miles north-east |
| George Billis EndodonticsBurgess Hill | 5.0 (18 reviews) | 10.5 miles north-east |
| Splash OrthodonticsBrighton | 4.9 (649 reviews) | 4.9 miles east |
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.9 (144 reviews) | 4.0 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 Old Shoreham, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Emergency Dental Centre, 4 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, Shoreham-by-Sea, under a mile away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Old Shoreham 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.
For families in Old Shoreham, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Understanding its limits helps families in Old Shoreham plan around realistic waiting times.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Old Shoreham
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 orthodontic waiting times in West Sussex vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Old Shoreham. By national deprivation ranking, Old Shoreham sits among the more deprived areas of England. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 6.3% of the 1,509 residents in Old Shoreham's census neighbourhood, below the 7% average across West Sussex. Old Shoreham is classified as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board. Census data puts 18.3% of Old Shoreham's population at under 16. Families in Old Shoreham are served by secondary schools including The Sir Robert Woodard Academy (1.8 miles) and Shoreham Academy (1.9 miles). 3 secondary schools are within three miles. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (11), Old Shoreham has more choice than 77% of towns in England. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Old Shoreham. The nearest recorded are Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, under a mile away; Worthing Dental Practice, about 4 miles away; and TwentyOneDental in Brighton, about 5 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 Old Shoreham?
Many patients in West Sussex 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.
How the NHS Route Works in Old Shoreham
The NHS pathway in Old Shoreham 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 Old Shoreham.
- 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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Old Shoreham
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Old Shoreham
Space maintainers hold open the gap left by a prematurely lost baby tooth, preventing neighbouring teeth from drifting in before the adult tooth erupts.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Old Shoreham
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Not Eligible? Here's What to Do Next in Old Shoreham
An IOTN score below grade 4 does not mean your teeth don't need attention — it means NHS resources are prioritised for the most clinically significant cases. Private treatment is open to everyone and provides more treatment choices, faster access, and a more personalised experience.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Old Shoreham
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Old Shoreham?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Old Shoreham is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 0.9 miles to the south-east. The next closest are Worthing Dental Practice (3.8 miles) and Brighton Implant Clinic - Hove branch (3.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Old Shoreham?
Our register has 11 practices within 5 miles of Old Shoreham, 28 practices within 10 miles and 55 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Old Shoreham?
The nearest practice to Old Shoreham that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 0.9 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include Worthing Dental Practice (3.8 miles) and Strand Dental Worthing (4.0 miles).
Is Old Shoreham a family area?
Census data puts 18.3% of Old Shoreham's population at under 16.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Old Shoreham?
NHS dental commissioning in Old Shoreham falls under NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board.
What kind of area is Old Shoreham?
By ONS classification, Old Shoreham falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How deprived is Old Shoreham compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Old Shoreham is more deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Can I switch from the NHS waiting list to private?
Yes, at any point — even while still on the NHS list. Plenty of patients do this to skip the wait or get access to ceramic or aligner options; you don't have to formally withdraw first, though it's polite 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 West Sussex
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in West Sussex — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: