NHS Treatment in Craven Wood at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults pay Band 3 (£332.10) |
| Deprivation | Around the England average |
| Residents under 16 | 15.8% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6.1% of 1,465 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | The Dental House, Old Swan — 2.9 miles; 12 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Dixons Croxteth Academy — 1.1 miles St John Bosco Arts College — 1.2 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool — about 5 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 19.8% of residents in the surrounding census area (Census 2021) |
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 Craven Wood
On our practice register: 15 practices within 5 miles of Craven Wood, 53 practices within 10 and 111 practices within 20. The closest is Baycliff Dental & Implant Surgery in Deysbrook, 1.1 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is The Dental House, 2.9 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Dental HouseOld Swan | 2.9 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (2,413 reviews) |
| Chelwood Dental PracticeChildwall | 3.0 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.0 (82 reviews) |
| TURRET ORTHODONTIC PRACTICELiverpool | 3.8 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| The Abbey by Duthie DentalChildwall | 3.9 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (158 reviews) |
| Northway Dental PracticeMaghull | 4.4 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (101 reviews) |
| Rainford OrthodonticsRainford | 5.2 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.0 (41 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craven Wood with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Old Swan, 2.9 miles south-west; the next are Childwall (3.0 miles south) and Liverpool (3.8 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Old Swan | 1 | 2.9 miles south-west |
| Childwall | 2 | 3.0 miles south |
| Liverpool | 5 | 3.8 miles north-west |
| Maghull | 1 | 4.4 miles north-west |
| Rainford | 1 | 5.2 miles north-east |
| St. Helens, Ryde | 1 | 5.2 miles north-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craven Wood
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Kamran Rasul - The Dental Clinic in Liverpool (5.0 from 361 reviews), 5.5 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kamran Rasul - The Dental ClinicLiverpool | 5.0 (361 reviews) | 5.5 miles south-west |
| Pall Mall Dental Clinic LtdLiverpool | 5.0 (300 reviews) | 5.3 miles south-west |
| The Abbey by Duthie DentalChildwall | 5.0 (158 reviews) | 3.9 miles south |
| Northway Dental PracticeMaghull | 4.9 (101 reviews) | 4.4 miles north-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craven Wood, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Martin's Lane, 7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is The Dental House, Old Swan, 2.9 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Liverpool University Dental Hospital in Liverpool, about 5 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craven Wood are commissioned by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Craven Wood funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craven Wood
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Adults who do qualify pay the NHS Band 3 charge, £332.10 in England from April 2026, which covers the whole course. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in Liverpool differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Orthodontic practices in and around Craven Wood vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. By national deprivation ranking, Craven Wood is roughly mid-table for England. OHID data for this ICB shows 31.2% of 5-year-olds with visible dental decay. In the census neighbourhood around Craven Wood, 6.1% of the 1,465 residents are aged 10 to 15, below the 6.6% average across Liverpool, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Craven Wood is Liverpool University Dental Hospital in Liverpool, about 5 miles away. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Craven Wood. By ONS classification, Craven Wood falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city. Craven Wood's under-16 share sits at 15.8%, per the 2021 Census. Families in Craven Wood are served by secondary schools including Dixons Croxteth Academy (1.1 miles) and St John Bosco Arts College (1.2 miles). 12 secondary schools are within three miles. There are 187 schools and 79,118 pupils in Craven Wood's Local Authority area, per DfE data. With 14 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craven Wood is better served than 83% of towns in England. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Craven Wood. The nearest we do hold are Baycliff Dental & Implant Surgery in Deysbrook, about a mile away; Hillside Dental Practice in Huyton, about 2 miles away; and The Dental House in Old Swan, about 3 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.
How the NHS Route Works in Craven Wood
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Craven Wood runs like this:
- 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 Craven Wood.
- 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Craven Wood?
Many patients in Liverpool wait 18 months or longer between NHS referral and treatment starting. During this period teeth continue to develop and cases can become more complex. Private treatment, while more expensive, begins promptly and offers far greater choice of treatment type.
Children's Orthodontics in Craven Wood
Children's orthodontics in Craven Wood covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
The Age-7 Assessment
The British Orthodontic Society recommends an orthodontic assessment by age 7 for children with notable concerns. At age 7, most children have their first permanent molars and incisors, giving an orthodontist enough information to evaluate jaw relationships, arch development, bite patterns, and likely future crowding.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Craven Wood
Many patients in Craven Wood are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Understanding the IOTN Score
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Liverpool.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Craven Wood
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craven Wood?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craven Wood is Baycliff Dental & Implant Surgery in Deysbrook, about 1.1 miles to the south. The next closest are Hillside Dental Practice (2.5 miles) and The Dental House (2.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craven Wood?
Our register has 15 practices within 5 miles of Craven Wood, 53 practices within 10 miles and 111 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craven Wood?
The nearest practice to Craven Wood that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is The Dental House in Old Swan, about 2.9 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include Chelwood Dental Practice (3.0 miles) and TURRET ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE (3.8 miles).
How's children's dental health in Craven Wood's area?
Regionally, 31.2% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay, per OHID data.
What NHS area is Craven Wood in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Craven Wood falls under NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board.
Is Craven Wood well served by schools?
There are 187 schools and 79,118 pupils in Craven Wood's Local Authority area, per DfE data.
Is Craven Wood rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Craven Wood falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
What does NHS orthodontic treatment include?
A standard NHS course covers the specialist assessment, all adjustment appointments, the brace itself, de-bonding, and retainers — all as one course of treatment.
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.
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