NHS Treatment in Six Road Ends 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 | Clear Dental, Antrim, Bangor — 2.5 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast — about 13 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 Six Road Ends
On our practice register: 11 practices within 5 miles of Six Road Ends, 17 practices within 10 and 44 practices within 20. The closest is Clear Dental, Antrim in Bangor, 2.5 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Clear Dental, Antrim, 2.5 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Dental, AntrimBangor | 2.5 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (4 reviews) |
| Clandeboye Dental ClinicBangor | 2.6 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (14 reviews) |
| Ardent Dental CareNewtownards | 3.6 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (18 reviews) |
| Belmont Orthodontics NewtownardsNewtownards | 3.6 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 3.7 (3 reviews) |
| Parks Dental CareNewtownards | 3.6 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (261 reviews) |
| Ards Dental PracticeNewtownards | 3.7 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 3.4 (19 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Six Road Ends with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Bangor, 2.5 miles north-west; the next are Newtownards (3.6 miles south-west) and Holywood (8.3 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Bangor | 2 | 2.5 miles north-west |
| Newtownards | 5 | 3.6 miles south-west |
| Holywood | 1 | 8.3 miles west |
| Carrickfergus | 1 | 9.2 miles north-west |
| Belfast | 5 | 9.7 miles west |
| Newtownabbey | 1 | 10.9 miles west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Six Road Ends
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), 9.7 miles west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwood Specialist Dental ClinicBelfast | 5.0 (82 reviews) | 9.7 miles west |
| Ardent Dental CareNewtownards | 5.0 (18 reviews) | 3.6 miles south-west |
| Castlebawn Dental PracticeNewtownards | 4.9 (389 reviews) | 3.8 miles south-west |
| Parks Dental CareNewtownards | 4.9 (261 reviews) | 3.6 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 Six Road Ends, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 13.5 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Clear Dental, Antrim, Bangor, 2.5 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 13 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Six Road Ends 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.
For families in Six Road Ends, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
How the NHS Route Works in Six Road Ends
The NHS pathway in Six Road Ends 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 Six Road Ends.
- 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 Six Road Ends
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 waiting times in Ards and North Down are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Orthodontic practices in and around Six Road Ends vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Six Road Ends's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Northern Ireland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Six Road Ends is about 13 miles from Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast in Belfast. Health and Social Care Northern Ireland is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Six Road Ends. With 11 orthodontic practices within five miles, Six Road Ends is better served than 92% of towns in Northern Ireland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Six Road Ends itself. The nearest recorded are Clear Dental, Antrim in Bangor, about 2 miles away; Ardent Dental Care in Newtownards, about 4 miles away; and Holywood Dental Care, about 8 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 Six Road Ends?
Many patients in Ards and North Down 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 Road Ends
Children's orthodontics in Six Road Ends covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. 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.
The Age-7 Assessment
The British Orthodontic Society recommends an orthodontic assessment by age 7 for children with notable concerns. At age 7, most children have their first permanent molars and incisors, giving an orthodontist enough information to evaluate jaw relationships, arch development, bite patterns, and likely future crowding.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Six Road Ends
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. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Six Road Ends.
Not Eligible? Here's What to Do Next in Six Road Ends
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 Six Road Ends
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Six Road Ends?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Six Road Ends is Clear Dental, Antrim in Bangor, about 2.5 miles to the north-west. The next closest are Clandeboye Dental Clinic (2.6 miles) and Eastern Dental laboratory (2.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Six Road Ends?
Our register has 11 practices within 5 miles of Six Road Ends, 17 practices within 10 miles and 44 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Six Road Ends?
The nearest practice to Six Road Ends that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Clear Dental, Antrim in Bangor, about 2.5 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include Clandeboye Dental Clinic (2.6 miles) and Ardent Dental Care (3.6 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Six Road Ends?
NHS dental commissioning in Six Road Ends falls under Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.
How deprived is Six Road Ends compared with the rest of Northern Ireland?
By the national deprivation index, Six Road Ends 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 Six Road Ends?
Nearby towns include Cunningburn, Carrowdore, Helen’s Bay.
Which county covers Six Road Ends?
Six Road Ends is in Ards and North Down.
Are NHS orthodontic charges the same across the UK?
No — NHS dental charges are set separately in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. What stays the same everywhere is that eligible under-18s pay nothing. Adults who do qualify pay 80% of the Health Service fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment.
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 Ards and North Down
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Ards and North Down — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: