NHS Treatment in Hope 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 | 17.8% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 9.2% of 1,424 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Signature Smiles, Wrexham — 3.4 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool — about 20 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 16% 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 Hope
On our practice register: 5 practices within 5 miles of Hope, 21 practices within 10 and 48 practices within 20. The closest is Cambria Dental Practice in Penyffordd, 2.1 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Signature Smiles, 3.4 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature SmilesWrexham | 3.4 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 3.9 (32 reviews) |
| Wrexham Dental WorksWrexham | 4.9 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (162 reviews) |
| Ruabon Road Dental PracticeWrexham | 5.7 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (1,255 reviews) |
| Bryn Siriol Dental PracticeMold | 5.9 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (50 reviews) |
| Greenacre OrthodonticsDeeside | 6.5 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (471 reviews) |
| Overleigh OrthodonticsChester | 7.2 miles north-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (59 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Hope with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Wrexham, 3.4 miles south; the next are Mold (5.9 miles north-west) and Deeside (6.5 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Wrexham | 3 | 3.4 miles south |
| Mold | 1 | 5.9 miles north-west |
| Deeside | 1 | 6.5 miles north |
| Chester | 4 | 7.2 miles north-east |
| Hoole | 1 | 8.9 miles north-east |
| Guilden Sutton | 1 | 9.1 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 Hope
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), 14.0 miles north.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Buckle Advanced Dental CareBebington | 5.0 (144 reviews) | 14.0 miles north |
| Art of Dental Care ChesterChester | 5.0 (75 reviews) | 7.6 miles north-east |
| Masters OrthodonticsChester | 5.0 (49 reviews) | 7.6 miles north-east |
| Greenacre OrthodonticsDeeside | 4.9 (471 reviews) | 6.5 miles north |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Hope, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Deeside Dental Surgery, 6.6 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Signature Smiles, Wrexham, 3.4 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 20 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Hope 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.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Hope focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Hope
The NHS pathway in Hope is well-structured — here's what to expect at each stage:
- 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 Hope.
- 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 Hope?
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 Orthodontic Access in Hope
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. NHS orthodontic waiting times in County of Flintshire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Hope — comparing a couple is worthwhile. Hope's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Wales. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 9.2% of the 1,424 residents in Hope's census neighbourhood, above the 6.6% average across County of Flintshire. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Hope is about 20 miles from Liverpool University Dental Hospital in Liverpool. For NHS dental services, Hope falls under Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Hope's ONS geography type is smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city. Hope's under-16 share sits at 17.8%, per the 2021 Census. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (5), Hope has more choice than 82% of towns in Wales. There is no orthodontist on our records in Hope itself. The closest on record are Cambria Dental Practice in Penyffordd, about 2 miles away; Signature Smiles in Wrexham, about 3 miles away; and Dant Y Coed Dental Practice in Rhosllannerchrugog, 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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Hope
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Hope
Children in Hope who meet the IOTN eligibility threshold are entitled to NHS-funded orthodontic treatment. Referrals are made by the child's dentist once most adult teeth have erupted. NHS treatment for children is almost always metal fixed braces.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Hope
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across County of Flintshire to decide who receives funded treatment. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Eligibility in Hope — Local Context
NHS waiting times in County of Flintshire are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Hope
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Hope?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Hope is Cambria Dental Practice in Penyffordd, about 2.1 miles to the north. The next closest are Signature Smiles (3.4 miles) and Dant Y Coed Dental Practice (4.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Hope?
Our register has 5 practices within 5 miles of Hope, 21 practices within 10 miles and 48 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Hope?
The nearest practice to Hope that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Signature Smiles in Wrexham, about 3.4 miles to the south. Others nearby include Wrexham Dental Works (4.9 miles) and Ruabon Road Dental Practice (5.7 miles).
What county is Hope in?
Hope falls within County of Flintshire.
Is Hope rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Hope falls under smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city.
How many families live in Hope?
Around 17.8% of Hope's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census.
What is the population of Hope?
Around 4,706 people live in Hope.
How do I get an NHS referral?
Visit your dentist and ask for an orthodontic assessment. If your IOTN score meets the threshold, they will make a formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service. Some practices also accept self-referrals.
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: