NHS Treatment in Auchterforfar at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Forfar — 1.3 miles; 6 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 14 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible 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 Auchterforfar
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Auchterforfar, 6 practices within 10 and 58 practices within 20. The closest is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, 1.3 miles west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.3 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICEForfar | 1.3 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| FORFAR DENTAL CAREForfar | 1.5 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| CASTLE STREET DENTALForfar | 1.5 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICEKirriemuir | 6.5 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 9.4 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 9.7 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Auchterforfar with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Forfar, 1.3 miles west; the next are Kirriemuir (6.5 miles north-west) and Brechin (9.4 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Forfar | 3 | 1.3 miles west |
| Kirriemuir | 1 | 6.5 miles north-west |
| Brechin | 2 | 9.4 miles north-east |
| Dundee | 9 | 10.7 miles south |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 10.8 miles south-east |
| Monifieth | 4 | 10.8 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Auchterforfar
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Perla Orthodontics in Tayport (4.7 from 13 reviews), 12.0 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Perla OrthodonticsTayport | 4.7 (13 reviews) | 12.0 miles south |
| Oris Dental & Implant StudioMonifieth | 4.6 (87 reviews) | 11.0 miles south |
| Kingsway Dental PracticeDundee | 3.2 (14 reviews) | 11.7 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Auchterforfar, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Banchory Dental Practice, 31.3 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Forfar, 1.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 14 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Auchterforfar are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Auchterforfar, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS vs Private Fees in Auchterforfar
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Equivalent private metal braces in Auchterforfar typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Auchterforfar
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. How long NHS treatment takes to start in Angus depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Practices serving Auchterforfar differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. National deprivation data puts Auchterforfar close to the Scotland median. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Auchterforfar is about 14 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. Auchterforfar sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning. Auchterforfar is classified as accessible Rural. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (3), Auchterforfar has more choice than 63% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Auchterforfar itself. The nearest recorded are HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about a mile away; KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 6 miles away; and R AND PM THOMSON in Brechin, about 9 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 Waiting Times in Auchterforfar
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Angus vary and can range from 12 to 36 months from referral to treatment starting. For families where timing is important — particularly approaching the optimal treatment age — private orthodontics eliminates the wait entirely and typically begins within a few weeks of consultation.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Auchterforfar
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Angus to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
What If You Don't Qualify for NHS Treatment?
If your IOTN score falls below the threshold for NHS funding, private orthodontic treatment is fully available with no eligibility criteria and no waiting list. This means you can start treatment within weeks of your consultation, with full choice of brace type — metal, ceramic, aligner, or lingual — rather than being limited to NHS metal braces.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Auchterforfar
For many families in Auchterforfar, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
NHS Treatment for Children in Auchterforfar
Eligible children under 18 in Auchterforfar 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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Auchterforfar
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Auchterforfar?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Auchterforfar is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 1.3 miles to the west. The next closest are FORFAR DENTAL CARE (1.5 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (1.5 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Auchterforfar?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Auchterforfar, 6 practices within 10 miles and 58 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Auchterforfar?
The nearest practice to Auchterforfar that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 1.3 miles to the west. Others nearby include FORFAR DENTAL CARE (1.5 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (1.5 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Auchterforfar?
NHS dental commissioning in Auchterforfar falls under NHS Tayside.
What kind of area is Auchterforfar?
ONS classifies Auchterforfar as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Auchterforfar compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Auchterforfar is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Auchterforfar?
Lownie Moor, Pitscandly, Caldhame are within easy reach of Auchterforfar.
How do I get an NHS referral?
Ask your dentist for an orthodontic assessment — if the IOTN score clears the threshold, they refer you to the local NHS orthodontic service. Some practices also take self-referrals directly.
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 Angus
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Angus — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: