NHS Treatment in Small Heath at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Birmingham and Solihull 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 | 23.5% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 10.7% of 1,836 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Accessible Orthodontics, Acocks Green — 1.6 miles; 18 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Small Heath Leadership Academy — 0.3 miles Ark Victoria Academy — 0.5 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Birmingham Dental Hospital, Birmingham — about 2 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 16% 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 Heath
On our practice register: 40 practices within 5 miles of Small Heath, 85 practices within 10 and 199 practices within 20. The closest is Accessible Orthodontics in Acocks Green, 1.6 miles east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Accessible Orthodontics, 1.6 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible OrthodonticsAcocks Green | 1.6 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (407 reviews) |
| Polski Ortodonta BirminghamBirmingham | 1.8 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.0 (4 reviews) |
| Orthodontics ExclusivelyAcocks Green | 1.9 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 3.8 (226 reviews) |
| Dr Cottam Orthodontic PracticeAcocks Green | 1.9 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 2.7 (56 reviews) |
| Rai Dental SurgeryAcocks Green | 1.9 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (109 reviews) |
| STRATFORD ORTHODONTICSBirmingham | 2.0 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Small Heath with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Acocks Green, 1.6 miles east; the next are Birmingham (1.8 miles west) and Washwood Heath (2.1 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Acocks Green | 7 | 1.6 miles east |
| Birmingham | 7 | 1.8 miles west |
| Washwood Heath | 1 | 2.1 miles north-east |
| Shirley | 1 | 3.1 miles south |
| Kings Heath | 1 | 3.2 miles south-west |
| Castle Vale | 1 | 4.0 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 Heath
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Rai Dental Surgery in Acocks Green (5.0 from 109 reviews), 1.9 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Rai Dental SurgeryAcocks Green | 5.0 (109 reviews) | 1.9 miles south-east |
| Birmingham Smile ClinicAcocks Green | 4.8 (795 reviews) | 2.1 miles south |
| Sherwood Dental Practice - BirminghamAcocks Green | 4.8 (566 reviews) | 2.8 miles south |
| St Johns Dental PracticeBirmingham | 4.8 (116 reviews) | 2.2 miles west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Small Heath, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Midlands Smile Centres, 3.7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Accessible Orthodontics, Acocks Green, 1.6 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Birmingham Dental Hospital in Birmingham, about 2 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Small Heath are commissioned by NHS Birmingham and Solihull 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 Heath focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS vs Private Fees in Small Heath
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Equivalent private metal braces in Small Heath typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Small Heath
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. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in City and Borough of Birmingham differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Provision in Small Heath varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. By national deprivation ranking, Small Heath sits among the more deprived areas of England. 26.9% of 5-year-olds across this ICB have visible dental decay, per OHID's most recent figures. Census 2021 counts 1,836 residents in the neighbourhood around Small Heath, 10.7% of them aged 10 to 15, above the 8.2% average across City and Borough of Birmingham. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Small Heath is Birmingham Dental Hospital in Birmingham, about 2 miles away. Small Heath sits within NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. By ONS classification, Small Heath falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city. 23.5% of Small Heath's population is under 16 — noticeably family-heavy by Census figures. The closest secondary schools to Small Heath are Small Heath Leadership Academy (0.3 miles) and Ark Victoria Academy (0.5 miles). 38 secondary schools are within three miles. DfE figures put 501 schools and 210,486 pupils across Small Heath's Local Authority. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (40), Small Heath has more choice than 98% of towns in England. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Small Heath itself. The closest on record are Accessible Orthodontics in Acocks Green, about 2 miles away; Polski Ortodonta Birmingham, about 2 miles away; and Fox & Goose Dental Centre in Washwood Heath, about 2 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Small Heath
The NHS pathway in Small Heath 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 Small Heath.
- 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.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Small Heath
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Parents in Small Heath 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.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Small Heath
Children in Small Heath 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Small Heath?
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Small Heath comes down to a structured assessment. NHS-contracted orthodontists in City and Borough of Birmingham apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Small Heath — Local Context
How long NHS treatment takes to start in City and Borough of Birmingham depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Small Heath
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Small Heath?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Small Heath is Accessible Orthodontics in Acocks Green, about 1.6 miles to the east. The next closest are Polski Ortodonta Birmingham (1.8 miles) and Orthodontics Exclusively (1.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Small Heath?
Our register has 40 practices within 5 miles of Small Heath, 85 practices within 10 miles and 199 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Small Heath?
The nearest practice to Small Heath that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Accessible Orthodontics in Acocks Green, about 1.6 miles to the east. Others nearby include Polski Ortodonta Birmingham (1.8 miles) and Orthodontics Exclusively (1.9 miles).
Is Small Heath rural or urban?
ONS classifies Small Heath as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
What county is Small Heath in?
Small Heath falls within City and Borough of Birmingham.
What towns are near Small Heath?
Saltley, Bordesley Green East, Deritend are within easy reach of Small Heath.
Is Small Heath a family area?
Census data puts 23.5% of Small Heath's population at under 16.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
This is a real risk with long waiting lists. NHS orthodontic funding is age-sensitive, so a case that qualifies at 16 may be assessed differently once you turn 18. If you're close to 18 and eligible, ask your dentist about timescales — it can be a reason to consider private 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 City and Borough of Birmingham
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in City and Borough of Birmingham — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access:
See all orthodontic locations in City and Borough of Birmingham