NHS Treatment in Small Dole 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 | Less deprived than most of England |
| Residents under 16 | 14.1% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 5.2% of 1,344 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, Shoreham-by-Sea — 4.7 miles; 13 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Steyning Grammar School — 2.2 miles Portslade Aldridge Community Academy — 4.2 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 15% 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 Small Dole
On our practice register: 2 practices within 5 miles of Small Dole, 33 practices within 10 and 63 practices within 20. The closest is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, 4.7 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip, 4.7 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsend Dental : RuislipShoreham-by-Sea | 4.7 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (667 reviews) |
| Splash OrthodonticsBrighton | 6.4 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (649 reviews) |
| TwentyOneDentalBrighton | 6.5 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (386 reviews) |
| The Town House Dental PracticeHove | 6.6 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (169 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental PracticeWorthing | 6.8 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (128 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental CentreWorthing | 7.2 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (143 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Small Dole with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Shoreham-by-Sea, 4.7 miles south; the next are Brighton (6.4 miles south-east) and Hove (6.6 miles south-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreham-by-Sea | 1 | 4.7 miles south |
| Brighton | 4 | 6.4 miles south-east |
| Hove | 2 | 6.6 miles south-east |
| Worthing | 4 | 6.8 miles south-west |
| Burgess Hill | 2 | 7.4 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 Small Dole
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Burgess Hill Dental (5.0 from 369 reviews), 7.4 miles north-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Burgess Hill DentalBurgess Hill | 5.0 (369 reviews) | 7.4 miles north-east |
| George Billis EndodonticsBurgess Hill | 5.0 (18 reviews) | 7.5 miles north-east |
| Splash OrthodonticsBrighton | 4.9 (649 reviews) | 6.4 miles south-east |
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.9 (144 reviews) | 7.3 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 Small Dole, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Portland Road Dental Clinic, 6.2 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, 4.7 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Small Dole 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.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Small Dole focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Small Dole
For eligible patients in Small Dole, the NHS route follows a defined sequence from dentist to specialist:
- 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 Small Dole.
- 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 vs Private Fees in Small Dole
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Private treatment in Small Dole 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 Orthodontic Access in Small Dole
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 waiting times in West Sussex are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Practices serving Small Dole differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. By national deprivation ranking, Small Dole sits among the less deprived areas of England. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 5.2% of the 1,344 residents in Small Dole's census neighbourhood, below the 7% average across West Sussex. Small Dole sits within NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. Small Dole is classified as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city. Small Dole's under-16 share sits at 14.1%, per the 2021 Census. The closest secondary schools to Small Dole are Steyning Grammar School (2.2 miles) and Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (4.2 miles). 1 secondary school is within three miles. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Small Dole. The nearest recorded are Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 5 miles away; Hurst Dental Practice in Burgess Hill, about 5 miles away; and Splash Orthodontics in Brighton, about 6 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.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Small Dole
Many patients in Small Dole are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in West Sussex apply the same national criteria consistently. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Small Dole.
Eligibility in Small Dole — Local Context
NHS waiting times in West Sussex are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Small Dole
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Parents in Small Dole 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Small Dole
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Small Dole?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Small Dole is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 4.7 miles to the south. The next closest are Hurst Dental Practice (5.0 miles) and Splash Orthodontics (6.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Small Dole?
Our register has 2 practices within 5 miles of Small Dole, 33 practices within 10 miles and 63 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Small Dole?
The nearest practice to Small Dole that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Kingsend Dental : Ruislip in Shoreham-by-Sea, about 4.7 miles to the south. Others nearby include Splash Orthodontics (6.4 miles) and TwentyOneDental (6.5 miles).
Which county covers Small Dole?
Small Dole falls within West Sussex.
What NHS area is Small Dole in for dental services?
Small Dole sits within NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning.
Is Small Dole rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Small Dole falls under smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
How big is Small Dole?
Small Dole has a population of around 796.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
NHS braces are almost always metal fixed braces. Ceramic, lingual, or clear aligner treatment is not available on the NHS. If you want a less visible option, private orthodontics is required.
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
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