NHS Treatment in Star at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Somerset 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 | 16.1% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 7.6% of 1,878 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Weston Orthodontic Centre, Weston-super-Mare — 6.6 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Churchill Academy & Sixth Form — 1.2 miles The Kings of Wessex Academy — 3.4 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Bristol Dental Hospital, Bristol — about 13 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 14.8% 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 Star
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Star; 4 practices within 10 and 58 practices within 20. The closest is Dentist Weston - Worle Dental and Implant Centre in Weston-super-Mare, 5.8 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Weston Orthodontic Centre, 6.6 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weston Orthodontic CentreWeston-super-Mare | 6.6 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (40 reviews) |
| Somerset OrthodontistMendip | 10.5 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.4 (19 reviews) |
| Priory DentalMendip | 10.5 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (94 reviews) |
| Bristol Dental Specialists - Orthodontist & Dental ImplantsBristol | 12.9 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (142 reviews) |
| Clifton OrthodonticsBristol | 12.9 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (107 reviews) |
| Dr Nik GognaBristol | 12.9 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (44 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Star with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Weston-super-Mare, 6.6 miles west; the next are Mendip (10.5 miles south-east) and Bristol (12.9 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Weston-super-Mare | 1 | 6.6 miles west |
| Mendip | 2 | 10.5 miles south-east |
| Bristol | 12 | 12.9 miles north-east |
| Easton-in-Gordano | 1 | 13.0 miles north-east |
| Bridgwater | 1 | 15.2 miles south-west |
| Kingswood | 1 | 16.2 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 Star
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Dr Nik Gogna in Bristol (5.0 from 44 reviews), 12.9 miles north-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Nik GognaBristol | 5.0 (44 reviews) | 12.9 miles north-east |
| The Bristol Dental PracticeBristol | 4.9 (689 reviews) | 13.0 miles north-east |
| Smile SolutionEaston-in-Gordano | 4.9 (150 reviews) | 13.0 miles north-east |
| Bristol Dental Specialists - Orthodontist & Dental ImplantsBristol | 4.9 (142 reviews) | 12.9 miles north-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Star, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 12.4 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Weston Orthodontic Centre, Weston-super-Mare, 6.6 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 13 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Star are commissioned by NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Star funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Understanding its limits helps families in Star plan around realistic waiting times.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Star?
Many patients in Somerset 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 Costs in Star
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Private treatment in Star 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 Star
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. How long NHS treatment takes to start in Somerset depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Orthodontic practices in and around Star vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Star's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of England. OHID data for this ICB shows 20.2% of 5-year-olds with visible dental decay. Census 2021 counts 1,878 residents in the neighbourhood around Star, 7.6% of them aged 10 to 15, above the 6.6% average across Somerset. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Star is Bristol Dental Hospital in Bristol, about 13 miles away. NHS dental commissioning in Star falls under NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board. Star is classified as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city. Census data puts 16.1% of Star's population at under 16. Families in Star are served by secondary schools including Churchill Academy & Sixth Form (1.2 miles) and The Kings of Wessex Academy (3.4 miles). 1 secondary school is within three miles. Star's Local Authority has 303 schools educating 79,343 pupils (DfE data). Star has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 6 miles away. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Star itself. The closest on record are Dentist Weston - Worle Dental and Implant Centre in Weston-super-Mare, about 6 miles away; Somerset Orthodontist in Mendip, about 10 miles away; and Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol, about 13 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 Star
Many patients in Star are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. 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 Star.
Understanding the IOTN Score
Whether the NHS funds treatment comes down to the IOTN score, a standardised two-part measure used right across Somerset.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Star
Children's orthodontics in Star 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. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Star
Children in Star 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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Star
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Star?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Star is Dentist Weston - Worle Dental and Implant Centre in Weston-super-Mare, about 5.8 miles to the north-west. The next closest are Weston Orthodontic Centre (6.6 miles) and The Houston Group Endodontic Referral Center (6.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Star?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Star, 4 practices within 10 miles and 58 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Weston-super-Mare, 5.8 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Star?
The nearest practice to Star that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Weston Orthodontic Centre in Weston-super-Mare, about 6.6 miles to the west. Others nearby include Somerset Orthodontist (10.5 miles) and Priory Dental (10.5 miles).
How deprived is Star compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Star is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What county is Star in?
Star is in Somerset.
How many families live in Star?
Around 16.1% of Star's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census.
What is the population of Star?
Around 100 people live in Star.
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 Somerset
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Somerset — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: