NHS Treatment in South Croxton at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland 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 | 21.3% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 7.6% of 2,978 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Clearly Orthodontics, Leicester — 4.7 miles; 15 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Orchard Mead Academy — 3.6 miles Wreake Valley Academy — 4.1 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 12.1% 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 South Croxton
On our practice register: 1 practice within 5 miles of South Croxton, 34 practices within 10 and 75 practices within 20. The closest is Clearly Orthodontics in Leicester, 4.7 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Clearly Orthodontics, 4.7 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearly OrthodonticsLeicester | 4.7 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (401 reviews) |
| Willowbrook Dental Practice, LeicesterHumberstone | 6.0 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (163 reviews) |
| The Windsor Dental PracticeLeicester | 6.0 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (261 reviews) |
| Doncaster Road Dental PracticeLeicester | 6.2 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (457 reviews) |
| Dentique Dental PracticeLeicester | 6.9 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (120 reviews) |
| K3 DentalEvington | 7.1 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (41 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to South Croxton with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Leicester, 4.7 miles south-west; the next are Humberstone (6.0 miles south-west) and Evington (7.1 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester | 10 | 4.7 miles south-west |
| Humberstone | 1 | 6.0 miles south-west |
| Evington | 1 | 7.1 miles south-west |
| Melton Mowbray | 1 | 7.1 miles north-east |
| Wigston Magna | 2 | 8.0 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of South Croxton
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Bright Smiles Dental Practice - Leicester (5.0 from 19 reviews), 7.9 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bright Smiles Dental Practice - LeicesterLeicester | 5.0 (19 reviews) | 7.9 miles south-west |
| The Dental Wellness Centre - Invisalign LeicesterLeicester | 4.9 (542 reviews) | 7.6 miles south-west |
| Doncaster Road Dental PracticeLeicester | 4.9 (457 reviews) | 6.2 miles west |
| 44 Dental CareLeicester | 4.9 (331 reviews) | 7.6 miles west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from South Croxton, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 4.8 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Clearly Orthodontics, Leicester, 4.7 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around South Croxton are commissioned by NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in South Croxton, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Understanding its limits helps families in South Croxton plan around realistic waiting times.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in South Croxton
The NHS pathway in South Croxton 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 South Croxton.
- 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 South Croxton?
Many patients in Leicestershire 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in South Croxton
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 Leicestershire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around South Croxton. By national deprivation ranking, South Croxton sits among the less deprived areas of England. Regionally, 22% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay (OHID data). Census 2021 counts 2,978 residents in the neighbourhood around South Croxton, 7.6% of them aged 10 to 15, above the 6.8% average across Leicestershire. NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in South Croxton. South Croxton's ONS geography type is smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city. South Croxton's under-16 share sits at 21.3%, per the 2021 Census. The closest secondary schools to South Croxton are Orchard Mead Academy (3.6 miles) and Wreake Valley Academy (4.1 miles). There is no orthodontist on our records in South Croxton itself. The nearest we do hold are Clearly Orthodontics in Leicester, about 5 miles away; Willowbrook Dental Practice, Leicester in Humberstone, about 6 miles away; and Smile Perfections Dental & Cosmetic Clinic in Evington, about 7 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.
Children's Orthodontics in South Croxton
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Parents in South Croxton increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in South Croxton
Children in South Croxton 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 South Croxton?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. 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 South Croxton — Local Context
Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in Leicestershire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in South Croxton
Where is the nearest orthodontist to South Croxton?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to South Croxton is Clearly Orthodontics in Leicester, about 4.7 miles to the south-west. The next closest are Smile Zone Dental Practice Leicester - Teeth Whitening | Invisalign | Smile Makeover | Veneers (5.5 miles) and Willowbrook Dental Practice, Leicester (6.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near South Croxton?
Our register has 1 practice within 5 miles of South Croxton, 34 practices within 10 miles and 75 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near South Croxton?
The nearest practice to South Croxton that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Clearly Orthodontics in Leicester, about 4.7 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include Willowbrook Dental Practice, Leicester (6.0 miles) and The Windsor Dental Practice (6.0 miles).
Is South Croxton rural or urban?
By ONS classification, South Croxton falls under smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
What towns are near South Croxton?
Nearby towns include Barsby, Hungarton, Gaddesby.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in South Croxton?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board.
Is tooth decay common among young children near South Croxton?
Regionally, 22% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay, per OHID data.
Is NHS orthodontic treatment as good as private?
Clinically, yes — specialist-delivered NHS treatment gets excellent results. The real differences are appliance choice and speed: NHS means metal braces and a wait, private opens up ceramic, aligner and lingual options straight away.
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 Leicestershire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Leicestershire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: