NHS Treatment in Histon at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Central East 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 | 18.8% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 7.7% of 1,466 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Anglia Orthodontics, Cambridge — 3.7 miles; 4 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Impington Village College — 0.3 miles North Cambridge Academy — 2.0 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 20.4% 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 Histon
On our practice register: 12 practices within 5 miles of Histon, 17 practices within 10 and 27 practices within 20. The closest is Cambridge dental group, 2.5 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Anglia Orthodontics, 3.7 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anglia OrthodonticsCambridge | 3.7 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.5 (96 reviews) |
| drfrancisbracesCambridge | 3.7 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| CAMBRIDGE ORTHODONTIC PRACTICECambridge | 5.0 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| Devonshire House Dental PracticeCambridge | 5.1 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (608 reviews) |
| Baxter's Family DentalNewmarket | 12.5 miles east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.0 (157 reviews) |
| Anglia OrthodonticsHuntingdon | 14.4 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 3.7 (3 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Histon with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Cambridge, 3.7 miles south; the next are Newmarket (12.5 miles east) and Huntingdon (14.4 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 4 | 3.7 miles south |
| Newmarket | 1 | 12.5 miles east |
| Huntingdon | 1 | 14.4 miles north-west |
| Saffron Walden | 1 | 16.8 miles south |
| Biggleswade | 2 | 19.5 miles south-west |
| Whittlesey | 1 | 23.4 miles north-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Histon
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Biggleswade Dental Centre (4.9 from 1,090 reviews), 19.6 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Biggleswade Dental CentreBiggleswade | 4.9 (1,090 reviews) | 19.6 miles south-west |
| The Walden Dental ClinicSaffron Walden | 4.9 (285 reviews) | 16.8 miles south |
| Devonshire House Dental PracticeCambridge | 4.8 (608 reviews) | 5.1 miles south |
| Anglia OrthodonticsCambridge | 4.5 (96 reviews) | 3.7 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Histon, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 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 Anglia Orthodontics, Cambridge, 3.7 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Histon are commissioned by NHS Central East Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Histon funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS Orthodontic Costs in Histon
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Private treatment in Histon 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 Histon
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 Cambridgeshire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Histon — comparing a couple is worthwhile. Histon falls in a less deprived area than most of England. Census 2021 counts 1,466 residents in the neighbourhood around Histon, 7.7% of them aged 10 to 15, above the 7% average across Cambridgeshire. Histon is classified as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Central East Integrated Care Board. 18.8% of Histon's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census. The closest secondary schools to Histon are Impington Village College (0.3 miles) and North Cambridge Academy (2.0 miles). 5 secondary schools are within three miles. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (11), Histon has more choice than 77% of towns in England. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Histon itself. The closest on record are Cambridge dental group, about 2 miles away; ZYMA Orthodontics in Papworth Everard, about 10 miles away; and Ely Smiles, about 12 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 Histon?
Many patients in Cambridgeshire 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.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Histon
Children's orthodontics in Histon 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. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
NHS Treatment for Children in Histon
Eligible children under 18 in Histon 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.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Histon
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Cambridgeshire to decide who receives funded treatment. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Histon.
Eligibility in Histon — Local Context
How long NHS treatment takes to start in Cambridgeshire depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Histon
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Histon?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Histon is Cambridge dental group, about 2.5 miles to the south. The next closest are St Mark's Dental and Aesthetic Clinic (2.6 miles) and Cambridge Dental Hub (3.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Histon?
Our register has 12 practices within 5 miles of Histon, 17 practices within 10 miles and 27 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Histon?
The nearest practice to Histon that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Anglia Orthodontics in Cambridge, about 3.7 miles to the south. Others nearby include drfrancisbraces (3.7 miles) and CAMBRIDGE ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE (5.0 miles).
What towns are near Histon?
Nearby towns include Landbeach, Newnham Croft, King's Hedges.
What is the population of Histon?
Histon has a population of around 7,592.
Is Histon rural or urban?
ONS classifies Histon as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
What NHS area is Histon in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Histon falls under NHS Central East Integrated Care Board.
What happens if I miss NHS appointments?
NHS orthodontic contracts require reasonable attendance. Repeatedly missing adjustment appointments can lead to treatment being discontinued, as it extends the course and ties up limited NHS capacity. If you're struggling to attend, tell the practice rather than simply not turning up.
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 Cambridgeshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Cambridgeshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: