NHS eligibility
We must adhere to strict government criteria for NHS orthodontics. Guidelines state patients must be under 18 years old and braces can only be fitted for health reasons. Young people with severe crowding, protruding or buried teeth may be eligible.
These criteria are outlined in the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs (IOTN) which gives each patient a score as to the severity of their orthodontic problems. They must achieve a certain score to qualify for NHS treatment.