NHS Treatment in Stopham 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 | Around the England average |
| Residents under 16 | 14.4% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6.8% of 1,505 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Tarring Dental - Worthing, Worthing — 11.7 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Weald School, The — 5.4 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 14.2% 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 Stopham
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Stopham; 1 practice within 10 and 80 practices within 20. The closest is The Admor Group in Littlehampton, 9.9 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Tarring Dental - Worthing, 11.7 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 11.7 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (243 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental PracticeWorthing | 12.1 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (128 reviews) |
| Worthing Dental CentreWorthing | 12.5 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (143 reviews) |
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 12.6 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (144 reviews) |
| Cranleigh OrthodonticsCranleigh | 12.7 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (47 reviews) |
| Holbrook Dental and Implant CentreHorsham | 13.4 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (169 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Stopham with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Worthing, 11.7 miles south-east; the next are Cranleigh (12.7 miles north) and Horsham (13.4 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Worthing | 4 | 11.7 miles south-east |
| Cranleigh | 1 | 12.7 miles north |
| Horsham | 1 | 13.4 miles north-east |
| Bognor Regis | 2 | 13.4 miles south-west |
| Chichester | 2 | 13.7 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 Stopham
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Strand Dental Worthing (4.9 from 144 reviews), 12.6 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Strand Dental WorthingWorthing | 4.9 (144 reviews) | 12.6 miles south-east |
| Tarring Dental - WorthingWorthing | 4.8 (243 reviews) | 11.7 miles south-east |
| Sussex OrthodonticsBognor Regis | 4.8 (137 reviews) | 13.4 miles south-west |
| Chichester Dental PracticeChichester | 4.8 (73 reviews) | 14.1 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 Stopham, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Emergency Dental Centre, 12.6 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Tarring Dental - Worthing, 11.7 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Stopham 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.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Stopham follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. 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 Stopham
The NHS pathway in Stopham 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 Stopham.
- 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 Orthodontic Access in Stopham
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 West Sussex differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Stopham. Stopham sits close to the England average for deprivation. In the census neighbourhood around Stopham, 6.8% of the 1,505 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 7% average across West Sussex, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. Stopham sits within NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. Officially, Stopham is categorised as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city. Stopham's under-16 share sits at 14.4%, per the 2021 Census. Secondary-age pupils near Stopham attend schools such as Weald School, The (5.4 miles). People in Stopham usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 10 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Stopham itself. The closest on record are The Admor Group in Littlehampton, about 10 miles away; Horsham Smiles Dental Practice, about 12 miles away; and Tarring Dental - Worthing, about 12 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.
NHS vs Private Fees in Stopham
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Going private for the same metal braces in Stopham costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Stopham
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across West Sussex to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Private Alternatives If You're Not NHS-Eligible in Stopham
Patients who don't meet the IOTN threshold have several straightforward private options. A free photo assessment through Virtual Consultant Online is a quick first step to understand which treatments suit your case and what they typically cost locally — before committing to a paid in-person consultation.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Stopham
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Parents in Stopham 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.
The Age-7 Assessment
British Orthodontic Society guidance points to age 7 for an assessment where there's a noticeable concern — by then most children have their first permanent molars and incisors through, which is enough for an orthodontist to judge jaw relationships, arch development, bite and likely future crowding.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Stopham
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Stopham?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Stopham is The Admor Group in Littlehampton, about 9.9 miles to the south. The next closest are Pringle Orthodontics (10.3 miles) and Abbots Lodge Dental Practice (10.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Stopham?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Stopham, 1 practice within 10 miles and 80 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Littlehampton, 9.9 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Stopham?
The nearest practice to Stopham that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Tarring Dental - Worthing, about 11.7 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include Worthing Dental Practice (12.1 miles) and Worthing Dental Centre (12.5 miles).
Is Stopham a family area?
Census data puts 14.4% of Stopham's population at under 16.
Which NHS body covers Stopham for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board.
Is Stopham rural or urban?
ONS classifies Stopham as smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
How deprived is Stopham compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Stopham is close to the England average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Can adults access NHS orthodontics in Stopham?
Very limited in West Sussex — generally only jaw surgery patients or exceptional functional cases qualify. Private funding covers most adult 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 West Sussex
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