NHS Treatment in Six Acres at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Devon 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 | 12% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 4.6% of 1,551 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Exeter Orthodontic Practice, Exeter — 4.6 miles; 2 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Thomas Hall School — 4.2 miles Queen Elizabeth's — 4.4 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Peninsula Dental School, Plymouth — about 30 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: 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 Six Acres
On our practice register: 5 practices within 5 miles of Six Acres, 14 practices within 10 and 28 practices within 20. The closest is Contemporary Dental in Exeter, 4.5 miles east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Exeter Orthodontic Practice, 4.6 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter Orthodontic PracticeExeter | 4.6 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (202 reviews) |
| Inspired Dental CareExeter | 6.8 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (219 reviews) |
| Victoria Road Dental Practice LtdExmouth | 12.5 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (809 reviews) |
| Devon Square SurgeryNewton Abbot | 13.9 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 3.3 (52 reviews) |
| Devon Dental Centre of ExcellenceAshburton | 15.5 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (243 reviews) |
| Ocean Orthodontic ClinicCockington | 17.8 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (534 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Six Acres with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Exeter, 4.6 miles east; the next are Exmouth (12.5 miles south-east) and Newton Abbot (13.9 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter | 2 | 4.6 miles east |
| Exmouth | 1 | 12.5 miles south-east |
| Newton Abbot | 1 | 13.9 miles south |
| Ashburton | 1 | 15.5 miles south |
| Cockington | 1 | 17.8 miles south |
| Torquay | 1 | 17.8 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Six Acres
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Ocean Orthodontic Clinic in Cockington (5.0 from 534 reviews), 17.8 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Orthodontic ClinicCockington | 5.0 (534 reviews) | 17.8 miles south |
| Exeter Orthodontic PracticeExeter | 4.9 (202 reviews) | 4.6 miles east |
| Victoria Road Dental Practice LtdExmouth | 4.8 (809 reviews) | 12.5 miles south-east |
| Devon Dental Centre of ExcellenceAshburton | 4.8 (243 reviews) | 15.5 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Six Acres, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 24 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Exeter Orthodontic Practice, 4.6 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth, about 30 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Six Acres are commissioned by NHS Devon 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 Six Acres 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 Devon.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Six Acres
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 Devon vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Provision in Six Acres varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. National deprivation data puts Six Acres close to the England median. Regionally, 22.6% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay (OHID data). Census 2021 counts 1,551 residents in the neighbourhood around Six Acres, 4.6% of them aged 10 to 15, below the 6.3% average across Devon. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Six Acres is Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth, about 30 miles away. Six Acres is classified as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Devon Integrated Care Board. Six Acres has a smaller share of children than most areas — 12% of residents are under 16. The closest secondary schools to Six Acres are Thomas Hall School (4.2 miles) and Queen Elizabeth's (4.4 miles). Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (5), Six Acres has more choice than 60% of towns in England. There is no orthodontist on our records in Six Acres itself. The closest on record are Contemporary Dental in Exeter, about 4 miles away; Devon Teeth straightening Clinic in Topsham, about 8 miles away; and Victoria Road Dental Practice Ltd in Exmouth, about 12 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 the NHS Route Works in Six Acres
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Six Acres 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 Six Acres.
- 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Six Acres?
Many patients in Devon 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Six Acres
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Six Acres
Children in Six Acres 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.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Six Acres
Many patients in Six Acres are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Eligibility in Six Acres — Local Context
Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in Devon differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Six Acres
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Six Acres?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Six Acres is Contemporary Dental in Exeter, about 4.5 miles to the east. The next closest are Exeter Orthodontic Practice (4.6 miles) and Life Dental & Wellbeing (4.7 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Six Acres?
Our register has 5 practices within 5 miles of Six Acres, 14 practices within 10 miles and 28 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Six Acres?
The nearest practice to Six Acres that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Exeter Orthodontic Practice, about 4.6 miles to the east. Others nearby include Inspired Dental Care (6.8 miles) and Victoria Road Dental Practice Ltd (12.5 miles).
Is Six Acres rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Six Acres falls under smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
Which NHS body covers Six Acres for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Devon Integrated Care Board.
What towns are near Six Acres?
Nearby towns include Long Woods, Whitestone, The Crescent.
How's children's dental health in Six Acres's area?
Regionally, 22.6% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay, per OHID data.
How do I get an NHS referral?
Visit your dentist and ask for an orthodontic assessment. If your IOTN score meets the threshold, they will make a formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service. Some practices also accept self-referrals.
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 Devon
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Devon — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: