NHS Treatment in Templepatrick at a Glance
| NHS dental services | Health and Social Care Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Northern Ireland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Monkstown Dental, Jordanstown — 6.5 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast — about 8 miles |
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 Templepatrick
On our practice register: 1 practice within 5 miles of Templepatrick, 22 practices within 10 and 55 practices within 20. The closest is M A Irwin Dental in Carnmoney, 4.8 miles east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Monkstown Dental, 6.5 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkstown DentalJordanstown | 6.5 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (30 reviews) |
| Shankill Orthodontic PracticeBelfast | 7.4 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 3.4 (5 reviews) |
| Beechview Dental CareBelfast | 7.6 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (286 reviews) |
| Abbey Dental ClinicNewtownabbey | 7.6 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.4 (37 reviews) |
| Kennedy Orthodontics -BelfastBelfast | 8.7 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (19 reviews) |
| NI Dental Care Lisburn RoadBelfast | 8.8 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.2 (85 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Templepatrick with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Jordanstown, 6.5 miles east; the next are Belfast (7.4 miles south-east) and Newtownabbey (7.6 miles east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Jordanstown | 1 | 6.5 miles east |
| Belfast | 9 | 7.4 miles south-east |
| Newtownabbey | 1 | 7.6 miles east |
| Finaghy | 1 | 9.1 miles south-east |
| Lisburn | 2 | 9.3 miles south |
| Holywood | 1 | 10.1 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Templepatrick
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Greenwood Specialist Dental Clinic in Belfast (5.0 from 82 reviews), 10.4 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwood Specialist Dental ClinicBelfast | 5.0 (82 reviews) | 10.4 miles south-east |
| New Life TeethBelfast | 4.9 (566 reviews) | 8.9 miles south-east |
| Affinity Dental Care, Lisburn, Northern IrelandLisburn | 4.9 (429 reviews) | 10.4 miles south |
| Beechview Dental CareBelfast | 4.9 (286 reviews) | 7.6 miles south-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Templepatrick, 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 Monkstown Dental, Jordanstown, 6.5 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast in Belfast, about 8 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Templepatrick are commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Templepatrick, 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. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Antrim and Newtownabbey.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Templepatrick
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Adults who do qualify pay 80% of the Health Service fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in Antrim and Newtownabbey differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Practices serving Templepatrick differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Templepatrick sits close to the Northern Ireland average for deprivation. The nearest university dental hospital to Templepatrick is Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast, about 8 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Health and Social Care Northern Ireland is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Templepatrick. Measured by orthodontic practice within five miles (1), Templepatrick has more choice than 64% of towns in Northern Ireland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Templepatrick itself. The nearest we do hold are M A Irwin Dental in Carnmoney, about 5 miles away; Monkstown Dental in Jordanstown, about 6 miles away; and Whiteabbey Dental Practice in Newtownabbey, 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Templepatrick
The NHS pathway in Templepatrick 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 Templepatrick.
- 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 Waiting Times in Templepatrick
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Antrim and Newtownabbey vary and can range from 12 to 36 months from referral to treatment starting. For families where timing is important — particularly approaching the optimal treatment age — private orthodontics eliminates the wait entirely and typically begins within a few weeks of consultation.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Templepatrick?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Antrim and Newtownabbey to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Templepatrick — Local Context
NHS waiting times in Antrim and Newtownabbey are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Templepatrick
For many families in Templepatrick, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
NHS Treatment for Children in Templepatrick
Eligible children under 18 in Templepatrick 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 Templepatrick
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Templepatrick?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Templepatrick is M A Irwin Dental in Carnmoney, about 4.8 miles to the east. The next closest are Monkstown Dental (6.5 miles) and Whiteabbey Dental Practice (6.7 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Templepatrick?
Our register has 1 practice within 5 miles of Templepatrick, 22 practices within 10 miles and 55 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Templepatrick?
The nearest practice to Templepatrick that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Monkstown Dental in Jordanstown, about 6.5 miles to the east. Others nearby include Shankill Orthodontic Practice (7.4 miles) and Beechview Dental Care (7.6 miles).
Which NHS body covers Templepatrick for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.
How deprived is Templepatrick compared with the rest of Northern Ireland?
By the national deprivation index, Templepatrick is close to the Northern Ireland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Templepatrick?
Nearby towns include Parkgate, Nutts Corner, Killead.
Which county covers Templepatrick?
Templepatrick is in Antrim and Newtownabbey.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
Almost always metal fixed braces — ceramic, lingual and aligner treatment aren't NHS options. A less visible appliance means going private.
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 Antrim and Newtownabbey
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Antrim and Newtownabbey — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: