NHS Treatment in Pharis 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 — 11.9 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast — about 36 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 Pharis
On our practice register: None within 10 miles of Pharis; 15 practices within 20. The closest is Pure Dental Hygiene in Coleraine, 11.8 miles west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Causeway Orthodontic Centre, 11.9 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Causeway Orthodontic CentreColeraine | 11.9 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 2.3 (3 reviews) |
| Maine Dental PracticeCullybackey | 12.6 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (12 reviews) |
| Boyd & Logue Dental SurgeryColeraine | 13.2 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (215 reviews) |
| 18 DentalColeraine | 13.2 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (15 reviews) |
| New Row Dental SurgeryColeraine | 13.3 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.3 (17 reviews) |
| OrthoplusBallymena | 14.3 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (5 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Pharis with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Coleraine, 11.9 miles west; the next are Cullybackey (12.6 miles south) and Ballymena (14.3 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Coleraine | 4 | 11.9 miles west |
| Cullybackey | 1 | 12.6 miles south |
| Ballymena | 1 | 14.3 miles south |
| Portrush | 1 | 15.1 miles north-west |
| Magherafelt | 1 | 24.1 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Pharis
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), 12.6 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Dental PracticeCullybackey | 5.0 (12 reviews) | 12.6 miles south |
| Boyd & Logue Dental SurgeryColeraine | 4.7 (215 reviews) | 13.2 miles west |
| 18 DentalColeraine | 4.7 (15 reviews) | 13.2 miles west |
| New Row Dental SurgeryColeraine | 4.3 (17 reviews) | 13.3 miles west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Pharis, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 31.5 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, 11.9 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 36 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Pharis 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 Pharis focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
How the NHS Route Works in Pharis
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Pharis 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 Pharis.
- 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 Pharis
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. NHS orthodontic waiting times in Causeway Coast and Glens vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Not every practice near Pharis offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Pharis sits close to the Northern Ireland average for deprivation. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Pharis is about 36 miles from Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast in Belfast. NHS dental commissioning in Pharis falls under Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. People in Pharis usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 12 miles away. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Pharis. The closest on record are Pure Dental Hygiene in Coleraine, about 12 miles away; Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey, about 13 miles away; and Laura Jones Dental & Implant Clinic in Ballymena, about 14 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.
NHS Orthodontic Costs in Pharis
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Pharis typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Pharis?
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 Pharis.
What Is IOTN?
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Causeway Coast and Glens.
Children's Orthodontics in Pharis
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Parents in Pharis increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Pharis
Space maintainers keep the space from a baby tooth lost too soon from closing up, so neighbouring teeth don't drift into the gap before the adult tooth is ready to come through.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Pharis
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Pharis?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Pharis is Pure Dental Hygiene in Coleraine, about 11.8 miles to the west. The next closest are Causeway Orthodontic Centre (11.9 miles) and Maine Dental Practice (12.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Pharis?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Pharis, 0 practices within 10 miles and 15 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Coleraine, 11.8 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Pharis?
The nearest practice to Pharis that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Causeway Orthodontic Centre in Coleraine, about 11.9 miles to the west. Others nearby include Maine Dental Practice (12.6 miles) and Boyd & Logue Dental Surgery (13.2 miles).
What NHS area is Pharis in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Pharis falls under Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.
How deprived is Pharis compared with the rest of Northern Ireland?
By the national deprivation index, Pharis 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 Pharis?
Moyarget, The Drones, Toor are within easy reach of Pharis.
What county is Pharis in?
Pharis is in Causeway Coast and Glens.
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 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: