NHS Treatment in Backaland at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Orkney |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | DAISYBANK CLINIC, Kirkwall — 13.8 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 Backaland
On our practice register: None within 10 miles of Backaland; 4 practices within 20. The closest is DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, 13.8 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is DAISYBANK CLINIC, 13.8 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 13.8 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 14.1 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 14.2 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 14.6 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 23.1 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Backaland with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kirkwall, 13.8 miles south-west; the next are Stromness (23.1 miles south-west).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Backaland, 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, 136.8 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is DAISYBANK CLINIC, Kirkwall, 13.8 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Backaland are commissioned by NHS Orkney. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Backaland funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. 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 Waiting Times in Backaland
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Orkney Islands 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 Orthodontic Access in Backaland
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 orthodontic waiting times in Orkney Islands vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Not every practice near Backaland offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. By national deprivation ranking, Backaland is roughly mid-table for Scotland. Backaland sits within NHS Orkney for NHS dental commissioning. Officially, Backaland is categorised as remote Rural. Backaland has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 14 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Backaland itself. The closest on record are DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, about 14 miles away; ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 23 miles away; and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 48 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Backaland
The NHS pathway in Backaland 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 Backaland.
- 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 Backaland
For many families in Backaland, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
The Age-7 Assessment
British Orthodontic Society guidance points to age 7 for an assessment where there's a noticeable concern — by then most children have their first permanent molars and incisors through, which is enough for an orthodontist to judge jaw relationships, arch development, bite and likely future crowding.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Backaland?
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Backaland comes down to a structured assessment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Orkney Islands to decide who receives funded treatment. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Backaland.
How Eligibility Is Scored
Whether the NHS funds treatment comes down to the IOTN score, a standardised two-part measure used right across Orkney Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Backaland
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Backaland?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Backaland is DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, about 13.8 miles to the south-west. The next closest are KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (14.1 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (14.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Backaland?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Backaland, 0 practices within 10 miles and 4 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Kirkwall, 13.8 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Backaland?
The nearest practice to Backaland that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, about 13.8 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (14.1 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (14.2 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Backaland?
NHS dental commissioning in Backaland falls under NHS Orkney.
Is Backaland rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Backaland falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Backaland compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Backaland is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Backaland?
Mill Bay, Burroughston, Whitehall Village are within easy reach of Backaland.
What if the NHS wait is too long?
Going private removes the wait entirely, with the same clinical outcomes plus a wider choice of brace type and a more personalised experience — for a higher price than the NHS charge.
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: