Health service or private
Your options, in order: the health service (NHS) waiting lists, or private treatment with no waiting list.
Your £155 assessment fee comes off your treatment price. If you go ahead with private treatment after your private assessment, we take the £155 you paid off the total cost of your braces or aligners. On our payment plan, the £155 comes off your £900 deposit, so you pay a £745 deposit and your monthly payments stay the same. This does not apply to the cross-border (HSE) scheme.
We provide both health service (NHS) and private orthodontic treatment. These are your options, in order.
Health service waiting list for assessment: 6–12 months
After your dentist refers you, the wait for a health service (NHS) assessment is usually 6–12 months. For teenagers, a Rapid Teen assessment is a quicker option.
Health service waiting list for treatment: 3–6 months
If you qualify, treatment usually starts 3–6 months after your assessment, depending on the case.
Or private treatment: no waiting list
Private treatment has no waiting list and usually starts within a month. You can refer yourself, and see our costs.
For those who qualify
- Health service (NHS) treatment is available for patients who qualify.
- You need a referral from your dentist.
- The orthodontist assesses whether you qualify at your records appointment.
Assessment and treatment
- Private assessments and treatment are available.
- Private treatment has no waiting list and usually starts within a month.
- You can refer yourself, or ask your dentist to refer you.
- Choose from metal braces or clear aligners. See our costs.
Who qualifies for health service braces?
Braces are only paid for by the health service (NHS) if your teeth are significantly out of position. The orthodontist decides this using a national scoring system called IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need). If your teeth need treatment less, your need may be too mild to qualify. In that case, you may be able to choose private (paid-for) treatment instead.
Timing matters too. If some adult teeth have not come through yet, it is usually best to wait, and we will arrange to see you again in a year or two. Read about your first visit, or see braces for children and teenagers.
Comparing costs? See our braces cost guide. If you are under 18 and your IOTN score was too low for health service treatment, see private braces for under-18s.
How to get started
Patients (private)
Self-referral is for private treatment only. Fill in our form and we will contact you.
Self-referCan I go private while I am on the health service waiting list?
Yes. You can choose private treatment at any time. Contact us to arrange a private assessment.
Do I need a dentist referral for health service treatment?
Yes. Health service (NHS) patients need a referral from their dentist. Private patients can self-refer.
How long does treatment take?
Health service (NHS) treatment usually takes 18 to 24 months, but it can vary depending on how complex the case is. Private treatment usually takes 2–24 months, depending on complexity. Mild cases can often be quite straightforward to fix. Your clinician will give you an estimate at your assessment.
Do I need my dentist to refer me?
For private treatment, no – you can refer yourself using our referral page. For health service (NHS) treatment, you need a referral from your dentist.
Turned down for NHS braces – can I still have treatment?
Yes. If your child’s teeth do not qualify for health service (NHS) treatment under the IOTN scoring system, private treatment is still possible. Private treatment usually takes 2–24 months, depending on complexity. Mild cases can often be quite straightforward to fix. A private assessment costs £155.
Questions about your treatment?
Our friendly team is happy to help. Call us on 028 9045 1303 or send us an email.
Wherever you live in the area
Health service (NHS): your own dentist refers you, so patients from North Belfast, West Belfast, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus or Downpatrick follow the same route as those who live nearby. Private: anyone can refer themselves, and patients come to us privately from places such as Holywood, Greyabbey, Kircubbin, Portaferry, Hillsborough and Dromore. See all the areas we serve.