NHS Treatment in Smart's Green at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire 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 | 14.3% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 5.2% of 1,398 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Frampton Dental Surgery, Iron Acton — 4.3 miles; 14 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Chipping Sodbury School — 0.7 miles Yate Academy — 1.6 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Bristol Dental Hospital, Bristol — about 10 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 14.3% 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 Smart's Green
On our practice register: 4 practices within 5 miles of Smart's Green, 22 practices within 10 and 59 practices within 20. The closest is Ridge Dental in Chipping Sodbury, 1.4 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Frampton Dental Surgery, 4.3 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frampton Dental SurgeryIron Acton | 4.3 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 3.3 (44 reviews) |
| Staple Hill Dental PracticeMangotsfield | 6.6 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.3 (46 reviews) |
| BRISTOL ORTHODONTICSBristol | 7.1 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| Smile Bristol - Invisalign and ClearCorrect Aligner Orthodontics in Bradley StokeStoke Gifford | 7.2 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (3 reviews) |
| Lodge Causeway Dental CentreKingswood | 7.3 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.2 (518 reviews) |
| Church Road Dental PracticeBristol | 8.9 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (66 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Smart's Green with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Iron Acton, 4.3 miles west; the next are Mangotsfield (6.6 miles south-west) and Bristol (7.1 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Acton | 1 | 4.3 miles west |
| Mangotsfield | 1 | 6.6 miles south-west |
| Bristol | 5 | 7.1 miles south-west |
| Stoke Gifford | 1 | 7.2 miles west |
| Kingswood | 1 | 7.3 miles south-west |
| Bath | 8 | 9.6 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Smart's Green
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Bath Dental Clinic (5.0 from 12 reviews), 9.9 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bath Dental ClinicBath | 5.0 (12 reviews) | 9.9 miles south |
| The Bristol Dental PracticeBristol | 4.9 (689 reviews) | 10.7 miles south-west |
| Circus OrthodonticsBath | 4.9 (277 reviews) | 10.0 miles south |
| Bath Dental Excellence Dental & Implant ClinicBath | 4.9 (135 reviews) | 9.9 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Smart's Green, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is My Dentist, 8.7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Frampton Dental Surgery, Iron Acton, 4.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Bristol Dental Hospital in Bristol, about 10 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Smart's Green are commissioned by NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Smart's Green funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Smart's Green
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 South Gloucestershire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Practices serving Smart's Green differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Smart's Green falls in a less deprived area than most of England. 19.7% of 5-year-olds across this ICB have visible dental decay, per OHID's most recent figures. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 5.2% of the 1,398 residents in Smart's Green's census neighbourhood, below the 6.6% average across South Gloucestershire. The nearest university dental hospital to Smart's Green is Bristol Dental Hospital, Bristol, about 10 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. For NHS dental services, Smart's Green falls under NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board. By ONS classification, Smart's Green falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city. Census figures show 14.3% of the local population is under 16. Families in Smart's Green are served by secondary schools including Chipping Sodbury School (0.7 miles) and Yate Academy (1.6 miles). 3 secondary schools are within three miles. There are 121 schools and 41,884 pupils in Smart's Green's Local Authority area, per DfE data. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (4), Smart's Green has more choice than 56% of towns in England. There is no orthodontist on our records in Smart's Green itself. The nearest we do hold are Ridge Dental in Chipping Sodbury, about a mile away; Frampton Dental Surgery in Iron Acton, about 4 miles away; and Teodora Todorova in Mangotsfield, about 5 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Smart's Green
The NHS pathway in Smart's Green 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 Smart's Green.
- 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 Smart's Green?
Many patients in South Gloucestershire 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Smart's Green?
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Smart's Green comes down to a structured assessment. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Smart's Green — Local Context
NHS orthodontic waiting times in South Gloucestershire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Smart's Green
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. 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.
NHS Treatment for Children in Smart's Green
Eligible children under 18 in Smart's Green are entitled to NHS orthodontic treatment free of charge. The process starts with a dentist IOTN assessment and formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Smart's Green
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Smart's Green?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Smart's Green is Ridge Dental in Chipping Sodbury, about 1.4 miles to the north-west. The next closest are Yate Dental Surgery (1.6 miles) and Frampton Dental Surgery (4.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Smart's Green?
Our register has 4 practices within 5 miles of Smart's Green, 22 practices within 10 miles and 59 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Smart's Green?
The nearest practice to Smart's Green that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Frampton Dental Surgery in Iron Acton, about 4.3 miles to the west. Others nearby include Staple Hill Dental Practice (6.6 miles) and BRISTOL ORTHODONTICS (7.1 miles).
What NHS area is Smart's Green in for dental services?
Smart's Green sits within NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning.
How deprived is Smart's Green compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Smart's Green is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Is Smart's Green rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Smart's Green falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How many families live in Smart's Green?
Around 14.3% of Smart's Green's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census.
Are NHS orthodontists the same as private ones?
Often the same specialist orthodontists provide both NHS and private care, sometimes from the same practice. The clinical skill is identical; what differs is the appliance choice, waiting time and level of personalisation between the two funding routes.
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 South Gloucestershire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in South Gloucestershire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: