NHS Treatment in Frenchwood 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 | Around the England average |
| Residents under 16 | 24.4% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 9.7% of 1,908 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Preston Orthodontics, Preston — under a mile; 15 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Christ The King Catholic High School — 0.1 miles Eden Boys' School, Preston — 0.7 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Preston Dental School, Preston — about 1 mile |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 14.3% 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 Frenchwood
On our practice register: 19 practices within 5 miles of Frenchwood, 34 practices within 10 and 111 practices within 20. The closest is Preston Orthodontics, 0.5 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Preston Orthodontics, 0.5 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston OrthodonticsPreston | 0.5 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.4 (8 reviews) |
| Holly Dental PracticePreston | 1.6 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (163 reviews) |
| Penwortham Dental - Tooth TalkPreston | 1.8 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (421 reviews) |
| PerfectalignPreston | 2.0 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.0 (29 reviews) |
| THE BEECHES ORTHODONTIC PRACTICEPreston | 2.0 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| Sharoe Green Dental PracticePreston | 3.0 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (557 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Frenchwood with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Preston, 0.5 miles north-west; the next are Leyland (3.9 miles south) and Chorley (7.0 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Preston | 6 | 0.5 miles north-west |
| Leyland | 3 | 3.9 miles south |
| Chorley | 2 | 7.0 miles south |
| Blackburn | 3 | 7.9 miles east |
| Darwen | 1 | 9.0 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Frenchwood
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Towngate Dental Practice in Leyland (5.0 from 814 reviews), 4.1 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Towngate Dental PracticeLeyland | 5.0 (814 reviews) | 4.1 miles south |
| Axis Podiatry LtdChorley | 5.0 (216 reviews) | 8.1 miles south |
| Bateman & BestDarwen | 4.9 (1,122 reviews) | 9.0 miles east |
| Seventy One DentalLeyland | 4.9 (671 reviews) | 4.1 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Frenchwood, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Kirkham Dental Surgery, 7.8 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Preston Orthodontics, under a mile 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 1 mile away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Frenchwood 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.
For families in Frenchwood, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS vs Private Fees in Frenchwood
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Private treatment in Frenchwood trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Frenchwood
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.
Practices serving Frenchwood differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. National deprivation data puts Frenchwood close to the England median. OHID's regional oral-health data records visible dental decay in 26.7% of local 5-year-olds. In the census neighbourhood around Frenchwood, 9.7% of the 1,908 residents are aged 10 to 15, above the 6.7% average across Lancashire, 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 Frenchwood is Preston Dental School in Preston, about 1 mile away. Frenchwood is classified as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Census data shows a relatively family-heavy population here — 24.4% of Frenchwood's residents are under 16. Secondary-age pupils near Frenchwood attend schools such as Christ The King Catholic High School (0.1 miles) and Eden Boys' School, Preston (0.7 miles). 15 secondary schools are within three miles. With 19 orthodontic practices within five miles, Frenchwood is better served than 90% of towns in England. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Frenchwood. The closest on record are Preston Orthodontics, under a mile away; Lowerbank Dental Practice in Leyland, about 4 miles away; and Grimsargh Smile Clinic in Longridge, about 5 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 Long Is the NHS Wait in Frenchwood?
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.
Children's Orthodontics in Frenchwood
Children's orthodontics in Frenchwood covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
The Age-7 Assessment
British Orthodontic Society guidance points to age 7 for an assessment where there's a noticeable concern — by then most children have their first permanent molars and incisors through, which is enough for an orthodontist to judge jaw relationships, arch development, bite and likely future crowding.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Frenchwood
Many patients in Frenchwood are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Lancashire apply the same national criteria consistently. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Not Eligible? Here's What to Do Next in Frenchwood
An IOTN score below grade 4 does not mean your teeth don't need attention — it means NHS resources are prioritised for the most clinically significant cases. Private treatment is open to everyone and provides more treatment choices, faster access, and a more personalised experience.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Frenchwood
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Frenchwood?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Frenchwood is Preston Orthodontics, about 0.5 miles to the north-west. The next closest are Camden Place Dental Practice & Implant Centre (0.6 miles) and Fishergate Hill Dental (1.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Frenchwood?
Our register has 19 practices within 5 miles of Frenchwood, 34 practices within 10 miles and 111 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Frenchwood?
The nearest practice to Frenchwood that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Preston Orthodontics, about 0.5 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include Holly Dental Practice (1.6 miles) and Penwortham Dental - Tooth Talk (1.8 miles).
Is Frenchwood a family area?
Census data puts 24.4% of Frenchwood's population at under 16.
Which towns are close to Frenchwood?
Nearby towns include Fishwick, Holme Slack, Adelphi.
Is Frenchwood rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Frenchwood falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
What county is Frenchwood in?
Frenchwood falls within Lancashire.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
Almost always metal fixed braces — ceramic, lingual and aligner treatment aren't NHS options. A less visible appliance means going private.
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
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