NHS Treatment in Flint at a Glance
| NHS dental services | Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults capped at £384 per course |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Wales |
| Residents under 16 | 15% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6.2% of 1,888 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Greenacre Orthodontics, Deeside — 3.8 miles; 7 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Neston High School — 5.1 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool — about 14 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 18.3% 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 Flint
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Flint, 15 practices within 10 and 72 practices within 20. The closest is Smilebay In Connah's Quay in Deeside, 3.7 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Greenacre Orthodontics, 3.8 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenacre OrthodonticsDeeside | 3.8 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (471 reviews) |
| Bryn Siriol Dental PracticeMold | 4.9 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (50 reviews) |
| Willaston Dental Care - Dentist On WirralWillaston | 6.1 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (274 reviews) |
| Buckle Advanced Dental CareBebington | 6.7 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (144 reviews) |
| Lakeside OrthodonticsWirral | 9.4 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (86 reviews) |
| Whitby Dental & Implant ClinicEllesmere Port Town | 9.5 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (178 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Flint with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Deeside, 3.8 miles south-east; the next are Mold (4.9 miles south) and Willaston (6.1 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Deeside | 1 | 3.8 miles south-east |
| Mold | 1 | 4.9 miles south |
| Willaston | 1 | 6.1 miles north-east |
| Bebington | 1 | 6.7 miles north-east |
| Wirral | 1 | 9.4 miles north |
| Ellesmere Port Town | 1 | 9.5 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Flint
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Buckle Advanced Dental Care in Bebington (5.0 from 144 reviews), 6.7 miles north-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Buckle Advanced Dental CareBebington | 5.0 (144 reviews) | 6.7 miles north-east |
| Art of Dental Care ChesterChester | 5.0 (75 reviews) | 10.2 miles east |
| Masters OrthodonticsChester | 5.0 (49 reviews) | 10.2 miles east |
| Greenacre OrthodonticsDeeside | 4.9 (471 reviews) | 3.8 miles south-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Flint, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Connah's Quay Dental Practice, 3.7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Greenacre Orthodontics, Deeside, 3.8 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 14 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Flint are commissioned by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Flint, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. 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 County of Flintshire.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Flint?
Many patients in County of Flintshire 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.
NHS vs Private Fees in Flint
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Flint typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Flint
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Adults who do qualify pay NHS Wales dental charges, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in County of Flintshire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Flint — comparing a couple is worthwhile. National deprivation data ranks Flint among Wales's less deprived areas. Census 2021 counts 1,888 residents in the neighbourhood around Flint, 6.2% of them aged 10 to 15, close to the 6.6% average across County of Flintshire. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Flint is Liverpool University Dental Hospital in Liverpool, about 14 miles away. Flint is classified as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 15% of Flint's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census. Families in Flint are served by secondary schools including Neston High School (5.1 miles). Flint has 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 73% of towns in Wales. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Flint. The closest on record are Smilebay In Connah's Quay, about 4 miles away; Bryn Siriol Dental Practice in Mold, about 5 miles away; and The Sandstone Dental Practice in Heswall, about 6 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.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Flint
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. 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.
What Is IOTN?
Whether the NHS funds treatment comes down to the IOTN score, a standardised two-part measure used right across County of Flintshire.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Flint
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Children's Orthodontics in Flint — Local Context
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Flint — comparing a couple is worthwhile. Census figures show 15% of the local population is under 16. Census 2021 counts 1,888 residents in the neighbourhood around Flint, 6.2% of them aged 10 to 15, close to the 6.6% average across County of Flintshire. The closest secondary schools to Flint are Neston High School (5.1 miles). Flint's ONS geography type is urban: Nearer to a major town or city. NHS dental commissioning in Flint falls under Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. National deprivation data ranks Flint among Wales's less deprived areas. With 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, Flint is better served than 73% of towns in Wales. The nearest university dental hospital to Flint is Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool, about 14 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Flint
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Flint?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Flint is Smilebay In Connah's Quay in Deeside, about 3.7 miles to the south-east. The next closest are Greenacre Orthodontics (3.8 miles) and Bryn Siriol Dental Practice (4.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Flint?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Flint, 15 practices within 10 miles and 72 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Flint?
The nearest practice to Flint that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Greenacre Orthodontics in Deeside, about 3.8 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include Bryn Siriol Dental Practice (4.9 miles) and Willaston Dental Care - Dentist On Wirral (6.1 miles).
How many families live in Flint?
Around 15% of Flint's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census.
Which towns are close to Flint?
Nearby towns include Oakenholt, Northop, Bryn Merllyn.
What is the population of Flint?
Flint has a population of around 26,442.
Which NHS body covers Flint for dental care?
Flint sits within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for NHS dental commissioning.
Are NHS orthodontic charges the same across the UK?
No — NHS dental charges are set separately in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. What stays the same everywhere is that eligible under-18s pay nothing. Adults who do qualify pay NHS Wales dental charges, capped at £384 for a 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.
NHS Treatment Across County of Flintshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in County of Flintshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: