FOI2026/1849

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding NHS orthodontic waiting lists and treatment waiting times within your Integrated Care Board (ICB) area.

Please provide the following information, split where possible by Primary Care (high-street specialist orthodontic practices) and Secondary Care (hospital-based orthodontic services):

• Current Waiting List Size:The total number of patients (or children under 18) currently on the waiting list for an initial NHS orthodontic specialist assessment, as of the most recent month-end for which data is held.
• Waiting Time Bands:A breakdown of the total number of patients currently on the waiting list for an assessment, categorised into the following waiting time periods from the initial date of referral:

• • Under 18 weeks
  • 18 weeks to 52 weeks
  • 52 weeks to 2 years
  • 2 years to 3 years
  • 3 years to 4 years
  • 4 years and over

3. Average and Longest Wait:

• • The current median waiting time (in weeks or months) from initial referral to the start of active orthodontic treatment.
  • The single longest documented waiting time (in weeks or months) for a patient currently on the waiting list.

4. Treatment Waiting List: The total number of patients who have successfully completed their initial assessment and are currently waiting for their actual braces/treatment to be fitted.

If the request exceeds the cost limits set out under Section 12 of the Act for any reason, please prioritize questions 1, 2, and 3, or contact me to advise on how the request can be refined to ensure compliance.

1. Current Waiting List Size:

Routine Primary Care Waiting List: 82,389

Routine secondary care waiting list: 7,819

The routine secondary care waiting list does not include information in relation to referrals with Salford, Manchester Dental Hospital or Wigan.  Referrals are sent to these hospitals directly, therefore this information is not held by NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM).

2. Waiting Time Bands:
3. a) Under 18 weeks:

7,503 patients on routine primary care waiting list
890 patients on the routine secondary care waiting list

1. b) 18 weeks to 52 weeks:

15,293 patients on routine primary care waiting list
1,646 patients on the routine secondary care waiting list

1. c) 52 weeks to 2 years:

23,004 patients on routine primary care waiting list
2,029 patients on the routine secondary care waiting list

1. d) 2 years to 3 years:

20,590 patients on routine primary care waiting list
1,305 patients on the routine secondary care waiting list

1. e) 3 years to 4 years:

15,181 patients on routine primary care waiting list
1,184 patients on the routine secondary care waiting list

1. f) 4 years and over:

818 patients on routine primary care waiting list
765 patients on the routine secondary care waiting list

3. Average and Longest Wait:

We hold the information up to the point a referral is taken from the waiting list by an Orthodontic Provider. This information is not held by NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) up to start of active orthodontic treatment.

The shortest waiting time is approximately 18 months and the longest is 52 months.

The single longest documented waiting time (in weeks or months) for a patient currently on the waiting list.

• 52 months – routine primary care waiting list
• 55 months – routine secondary care waiting list

4. Treatment Waiting List: 

This information is not held by NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM). Once a patient’s referral is transferred to an orthodontic provider for an assessment, we do not collect the data on their wait time to commencing treatment.