NHS Ortho

The Midlands Orthodontic Specialists in Birmingham

NHS Orthodontic Treatment Referrals

Your first step is to speak to your dentist. They will look at your teeth closely and they may take pictures and measurements before organising the referral to us. Once you reach our practice, our specialists will assess your teeth and determine if you are eligible for NHS orthodontic braces.

The NHS provides orthodontic treatment
for children under the age of 18 with a
clear, clinical need.

This is assessed according to a set of graded criteria called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). If your child meets grade 4 or 5 then they are eligible. Examples of problems that would meet this grading would be multiple missing teeth that require gap closure, severe teeth overcrowding or a severe overbite.

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Children will usually be referred to us by their dentists for assessment. Treatment with fixed standard braces is standard for problems meeting IOTN criteria. However, treatments like invisible braces are not supplied under the NHS.

Orthodontic treatment under the NHS is free but around a third of all children could benefit from orthodontic treatment and therefore demand is very high. There is an extensive waiting list for NHS orthodontic treatment and your child could be waiting from six months to two years or more for theirs.

For a full range of treatment options and control over the timing of your child’s treatment, there is always the option of private treatment with us. As well as your child’s immediate oral health and appearance there may be other concerns, such as whether they are learning a musical instrument and need treatment tailored sensitively to their grading schedule. It is only possible for us to offer this flexibility to private patients

Why choose One
Devonshire Place
for orthodontics?

  • More than 10,000 cases completed
  • Specialist orthodontists have extra training and experience
  • More choice with our full range of systems
  • Private treatment = no waiting lists
  • Pay as you go
  • Free onsite parking
  • Open 6 days a week
  • Trusted by 200 referral dental practices across the Midlands

What To Expect

An initial assessment to determine whether your child
meets the criteria for orthodontic treatment under the
NHS. There will be a more restricted range of treatment
options available than would be offered privately. If
your child is treated with fixed standard braces then
they are likely to be wearing their appliance for around
18 to 24 months. During this time, they’ll need to see
us every six weeks or so to have their braces adjusted.
They’ll be advised to avoid hard, chewy food and fizzy
or acidic drinks for the duration of their treatment.
Your child will be on a waiting list and it could be
a long time before they begin treatment.

 

Learn about our patient journey

Pros of NHS
orthodontic
treatment

 

Elaine's Story

‘I wasn’t going to see anybody other
than Rob…I’d seen enough
orthodontists…the minute I walked in
I liked him.’

 

Eloise's Story

‘It’s definitely helped my confidence.
I don’t mind smiling normally
instead of having to smile awkwardly
with my mouth closed.’

 

Hugo's Story

‘The maximum amount of time was
2 hours and then I could just come here
straight away, so within the day of breaking
my brace I could get it fixed.’

 

Sarah's Story

‘He listened to what it was
exactly I wanted. What was best
for me as well.’

 

Pauline's Story

‘I know I can ask him
anything… I always feel very
comfortable coming and I enjoy
my visits.’

Meet our specialist

Dr Rob Slater

Dr Rob Slater

GDC No. 65931

BDS FDSRCS MOrthRCS MSc, Specialist in Orthodontics

  • Pioneering founder and former chairman of the British Lingual Orthodontic Society
  • Worked as an examiner, trainer, noted publisher and international lecturer
  • Began his career as a dental technician, creating orthodontic appliances