NHS Treatment in Longshaw at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Greater Manchester 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 | 18.2% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 7.3% of 1,886 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | St. Raphael's Dental Practice, Skelmersdale — 2.3 miles; 13 within 10 miles |
| Nearest secondary schools | Up Holland High School — 1.3 miles St Peter's Catholic High School — 2.2 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool — about 13 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Daily activities limited by health | 16.2% 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 Longshaw
On our practice register: 18 practices within 5 miles of Longshaw, 44 practices within 10 and 192 practices within 20. The closest is Pemberton Dental Practice in Wigan, 2.2 miles north-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is St. Raphael's Dental Practice, 2.3 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Raphael's Dental PracticeSkelmersdale | 2.3 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (429 reviews) |
| Boutique Dental 23Ashton in Makerfield | 3.3 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (136 reviews) |
| Rainford OrthodonticsRainford | 3.3 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.0 (41 reviews) |
| RAINFORD ORTHODONTIC PRACTICESt. Helens, Ryde | 3.3 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| Ashton Smile ClinicAshton in Makerfield | 3.4 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (86 reviews) |
| Alverna House Dental Practice | Dental Implants and Invisalign Provider St HelensSt Helens | 3.4 miles south | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (257 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Longshaw with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Skelmersdale, 2.3 miles north; the next are Ashton in Makerfield (3.3 miles south-east) and Rainford (3.3 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Skelmersdale | 2 | 2.3 miles north |
| Ashton in Makerfield | 2 | 3.3 miles south-east |
| Rainford | 1 | 3.3 miles west |
| St. Helens, Ryde | 1 | 3.3 miles west |
| St Helens | 1 | 3.4 miles south |
| Wigan | 2 | 4.0 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 Longshaw
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Circ Dental in Standish (5.0 from 166 reviews), 5.6 miles north.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Circ DentalStandish | 5.0 (166 reviews) | 5.6 miles north |
| St. Raphael's Dental PracticeSkelmersdale | 4.9 (429 reviews) | 2.3 miles north |
| Greenlane Dental PracticeLeigh | 4.9 (137 reviews) | 8.9 miles east |
| Boutique Dental 23Ashton in Makerfield | 4.9 (136 reviews) | 3.3 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 Longshaw, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Parbold Dental Practice, 6.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is St. Raphael's Dental Practice, Skelmersdale, 2.3 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 13 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Longshaw are commissioned by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Longshaw follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Longshaw
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 Borough of Wigan differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Not every practice near Longshaw offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Longshaw's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of England. 30.4% of 5-year-olds across this ICB have visible dental decay, per OHID's most recent figures. In the census neighbourhood around Longshaw, 7.3% of the 1,886 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 7.1% average across Borough of Wigan, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Longshaw is about 13 miles from Liverpool University Dental Hospital in Liverpool. Longshaw is classified as urban: Nearer to a major town or city, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Census figures show 18.2% of the local population is under 16. The closest secondary schools to Longshaw are Up Holland High School (1.3 miles) and St Peter's Catholic High School (2.2 miles). 4 secondary schools are within three miles. There are 137 schools and 48,586 pupils in Longshaw's Local Authority area, per DfE data. Longshaw has 18 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 89% of towns in England. There is no orthodontist on our records in Longshaw itself. The nearest we do hold are Pemberton Dental Practice in Wigan, about 2 miles away; St. Raphael's Dental Practice in Skelmersdale, about 2 miles away; and Boutique Dental 23 in Ashton in Makerfield, about 3 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.
NHS Orthodontic Costs in Longshaw
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Equivalent private metal braces in Longshaw typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Longshaw
The NHS pathway in Longshaw 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 Longshaw.
- 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.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Longshaw
Children's orthodontics in Longshaw covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Parents in Longshaw increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Longshaw
Space maintainers keep the space from a baby tooth lost too soon from closing up, so neighbouring teeth don't drift into the gap before the adult tooth is ready to come through.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Longshaw
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Longshaw comes down to a structured assessment. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Not Eligible? Here's What to Do Next in Longshaw
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 Longshaw
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Longshaw?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Longshaw is Pemberton Dental Practice in Wigan, about 2.2 miles to the north-east. The next closest are St. Raphael's Dental Practice (2.3 miles) and Boutique Dental 23 (3.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Longshaw?
Our register has 18 practices within 5 miles of Longshaw, 44 practices within 10 miles and 192 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Longshaw?
The nearest practice to Longshaw that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is St. Raphael's Dental Practice in Skelmersdale, about 2.3 miles to the north. Others nearby include Boutique Dental 23 (3.3 miles) and Rainford Orthodontics (3.3 miles).
Is tooth decay common among young children near Longshaw?
Regionally, 30.4% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay, per OHID data.
What kind of area is Longshaw?
ONS classifies Longshaw as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
How many families live in Longshaw?
18.2% of the local population is under 16, per the most recent Census.
How many schools are in Longshaw's area?
There are 137 schools and 48,586 pupils in Longshaw's Local Authority area, per DfE data.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Longshaw?
Typically 12-24 months in Borough of Wigan, sometimes more depending on the area. Private treatment skips the list entirely, usually starting within weeks.
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 Borough of Wigan
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Borough of Wigan — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: