ENT -Tongue Tie: Division of Ankyloglossia

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition where the strip of tissue under the tongue is shorter or tighter than usual. Division of ankyloglossia is a procedure that releases this tissue to allow freer tongue movement. There is currently no harmonised Central East ICB clinical policy. Local area policies transferred to Central East ICB are available where these exist.

Clinical policies aim to prevent avoidable harm to patients by only offering treatments on the NHS that are evidence-based, clinically safe and effective, as well as cost effective and a good use of resources.

Information:

Currently there is not a single clinical policy for tongue tie, division of ankyloglossia, that applies to people across the whole Central East area.

Where a legacy Integrated Care Board (ICB) had an agreed clinical policy on tongue tie, division of ankyloglossia, this policy transferred to Central East ICB on 1 April 2026. Previously agreed policies will continue to apply only to people living in that former ICB’s area until any new policy is adopted by NHS Central East ICB.

Where an area doesn’t have a previously agreed policy on tongue tie, division of ankyloglossia, support for patients in that area will be based on a routine commissioning pathway.

Local clinical policy positions for tongue tie, division of ankyloglossia

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

Tongue tie division BLMK policy v2.1

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

TONGUE-TIE Policy

Hertfordshire and West Essex

Tongue Tie v1.0 July 2022