NHS Treatment in Abune-the-Hill at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Orkney |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | ORKNEY DENTAL, Stromness — 12.3 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Remote Rural |
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 Abune-the-Hill
On our practice register: None within 10 miles of Abune-the-Hill; 5 practices within 20. The closest is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, 12.3 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is ORKNEY DENTAL, 12.3 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 12.3 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 14.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 14.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 15.0 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 15.1 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Abune-the-Hill with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Stromness, 12.3 miles south; the next are Kirkwall (14.8 miles south-east).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Abune-the-Hill, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Dyce Dental Practice Family Dentist, 139.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is ORKNEY DENTAL, Stromness, 12.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Abune-the-Hill are commissioned by NHS Orkney. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Abune-the-Hill 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. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Orkney Islands.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Abune-the-Hill
For eligible patients in Abune-the-Hill, the NHS route follows a defined sequence from dentist to specialist:
- 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 Abune-the-Hill.
- 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Abune-the-Hill
In Scotland, NHS dental treatment — including clinically necessary orthodontics — is free for everyone under 26. Adults aged 26 and over who qualify pay 80% of the NHS fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. NHS waiting times in Orkney Islands are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Provision in Abune-the-Hill varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Abune-the-Hill's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. Abune-the-Hill is classified as remote Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Orkney. Abune-the-Hill has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 12 miles away. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Abune-the-Hill. The closest on record are ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 12 miles away; KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE, about 15 miles away; and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 39 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.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Abune-the-Hill
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Going private for the same metal braces in Abune-the-Hill costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Abune-the-Hill
For many families in Abune-the-Hill, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Parents in Abune-the-Hill increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
NHS Treatment for Children in Abune-the-Hill
Eligible children under 18 in Abune-the-Hill 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Abune-the-Hill?
Many patients in Abune-the-Hill are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Orkney Islands apply the same national criteria consistently. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Eligibility in Abune-the-Hill — Local Context
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Orkney Islands vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Abune-the-Hill
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Abune-the-Hill?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Abune-the-Hill is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 12.3 miles to the south. The next closest are KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (14.8 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (14.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Abune-the-Hill?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Abune-the-Hill, 0 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Stromness, 12.3 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Abune-the-Hill?
The nearest practice to Abune-the-Hill that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 12.3 miles to the south. Others nearby include KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (14.8 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (14.8 miles).
Which NHS body covers Abune-the-Hill for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Orkney.
Is Abune-the-Hill rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Abune-the-Hill falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Abune-the-Hill compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Abune-the-Hill is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Abune-the-Hill?
Nearby towns include Birsay, The Barony, Greeny.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
It's a genuine risk on a long waiting list — NHS funding is age-sensitive, so a case eligible at 16 might be assessed differently at 18. If you're close to that age and eligible now, ask about timescales; it can tip the decision toward 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 Orkney Islands
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Orkney Islands — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: