NHS Treatment in Fence at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults pay Band 3 (£332.10) |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of England |
| Residents under 16 | 16.6% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6.1% of 1,583 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Colne Dental Care, Colne — 4.3 miles; 7 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Marsden Heights Community College — 2.0 miles Shuttleworth College — 2.6 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Preston Dental School, Preston — about 18 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 14.4% 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 Fence
On our practice register: 10 practices within 5 miles of Fence, 21 practices within 10 and 105 practices within 20. The closest is Queensgate Dental Practice in Burnley, 2.1 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Colne Dental Care, 4.3 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colne Dental CareColne | 4.3 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (64 reviews) |
| Abbey Street Dental PracticeAccrington | 6.5 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (124 reviews) |
| Park House DentalAccrington | 6.5 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.1 (223 reviews) |
| Station House Dental CareBarnoldswick | 6.9 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (331 reviews) |
| Rossendale Dental Health CentreRawtenstall | 8.4 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.4 (161 reviews) |
| Denpoint Dental CareRawtenstall | 9.0 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (268 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Fence with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Colne, 4.3 miles north-east; the next are Accrington (6.5 miles south-west) and Barnoldswick (6.9 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Colne | 1 | 4.3 miles north-east |
| Accrington | 2 | 6.5 miles south-west |
| Barnoldswick | 1 | 6.9 miles north-east |
| Rawtenstall | 2 | 8.4 miles south |
| Blackburn | 4 | 9.4 miles south-west |
| Darwen | 1 | 12.0 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Fence
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Bateman & Best in Darwen (4.9 from 1,122 reviews), 12.0 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bateman & BestDarwen | 4.9 (1,122 reviews) | 12.0 miles south-west |
| Station House Dental CareBarnoldswick | 4.9 (331 reviews) | 6.9 miles north-east |
| Abbey Street Dental PracticeAccrington | 4.9 (124 reviews) | 6.5 miles south-west |
| Colne Dental CareColne | 4.9 (64 reviews) | 4.3 miles north-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Fence, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 16.7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Colne Dental Care, 4.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Preston Dental School in Preston, about 18 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Fence are commissioned by NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Fence focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Lancashire.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Fence?
Many patients in Lancashire 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Fence
For eligible patients in Fence, the NHS route follows a defined sequence from dentist to specialist:
- 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 Fence.
- 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Fence
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 Lancashire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Provision in Fence varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. By national deprivation ranking, Fence sits among the less deprived areas of England. 26.7% of 5-year-olds across this ICB have visible dental decay, per OHID's most recent figures. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 6.1% of the 1,583 residents in Fence's census neighbourhood, below the 6.7% average across Lancashire. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Fence is about 18 miles from Preston Dental School in Preston. Classified by ONS as larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city, Fence sits within NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. 16.6% of Fence's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census. Secondary-age pupils near Fence attend schools such as Marsden Heights Community College (2.0 miles) and Shuttleworth College (2.6 miles). 5 secondary schools are within three miles. Fence has 10 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 75% of towns in England. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Fence itself. The closest on record are Queensgate Dental Practice in Burnley, about 2 miles away; Barrowford Dental Practice, about 2 miles away; and Oakland Family Dental & Orthodontics in Nelson, about 2 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Fence
Children's orthodontics in Fence covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Parents in Fence increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
NHS Treatment for Children in Fence
Eligible children under 18 in Fence are entitled to NHS orthodontic treatment free of charge. The process starts with a dentist IOTN assessment and formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Fence?
Many patients in Fence are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Lancashire apply the same national criteria consistently. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Fence.
Eligibility in Fence — Local Context
NHS waiting times in Lancashire are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Fence
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Fence?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Fence is Queensgate Dental Practice in Burnley, about 2.1 miles to the south-east. The next closest are Barrowford Dental Practice (2.4 miles) and Briercliffe Road Dental Practice (2.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Fence?
Our register has 10 practices within 5 miles of Fence, 21 practices within 10 miles and 105 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Fence?
The nearest practice to Fence that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Colne Dental Care, about 4.3 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include Abbey Street Dental Practice (6.5 miles) and Park House Dental (6.5 miles).
What NHS area is Fence in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
Which county covers Fence?
Fence is in Lancashire.
What towns are near Fence?
Nearby towns include Spen Brook, Thorney Holme, Rose Grove.
Is Fence rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Fence falls under larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
Can I switch from the NHS waiting list to private?
Yes, at any point — even while still on the NHS list. Plenty of patients do this to skip the wait or get access to ceramic or aligner options; you don't have to formally withdraw first, though it's polite to let the practice know.
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.
NHS Treatment Across Lancashire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Lancashire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: