NHS Treatment in Benholm at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Grampian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, Montrose — 9.2 miles; 3 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen — about 24 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 Benholm
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Benholm; 3 practices within 10 and 13 practices within 20. The closest is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, 9.2 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.2 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICEMontrose | 9.2 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| 53 JOHN STREETMontrose | 9.2 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTREMontrose | 9.3 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| ARDUTHIE DENTAL PRACTICEStonehaven | 10.7 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| STONEHAVEN DENTAL PRACTICEStonehaven | 10.7 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| MARKET SQUARE DENTAL PRACTICEStonehaven | 10.8 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Benholm with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Montrose, 9.2 miles south-west; the next are Stonehaven (10.7 miles north) and Brechin (14.2 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 3 | 9.2 miles south-west |
| Stonehaven | 4 | 10.7 miles north |
| Brechin | 2 | 14.2 miles south-west |
| Banchory | 2 | 17.2 miles north |
| Portlethen | 1 | 18.2 miles north-east |
| Peterculter | 1 | 19.2 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Benholm, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Fountain Dental Group, 17.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, Montrose, 9.2 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 24 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Benholm are commissioned by NHS Grampian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Benholm focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Benholm
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Benholm runs like this:
- 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 Benholm.
- 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.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Benholm
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Private treatment in Benholm trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Benholm
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 Aberdeenshire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Practices serving Benholm differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. National deprivation data puts Benholm close to the Scotland median. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Benholm is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 24 miles away. Benholm is classified as accessible Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Grampian. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Benholm; the nearest is about 9 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Benholm itself. The nearest we do hold are LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 9 miles away; ARDUTHIE DENTAL PRACTICE in Stonehaven, about 11 miles away; and ESK DENTAL CARE in Brechin, about 14 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Benholm?
Many patients in Benholm are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Aberdeenshire apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
What Is IOTN?
The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the two-part scoring system orthodontists across Aberdeenshire use to decide whether a patient qualifies for NHS treatment.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Benholm
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Children's Orthodontics in Benholm — Local Context
Not every practice near Benholm offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Benholm is classified as accessible Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Grampian. Benholm's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Benholm; the nearest is about 9 miles away. The nearest university dental hospital to Benholm is Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen, about 24 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Benholm
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Benholm?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Benholm is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 9.2 miles to the south-west. The next closest are 53 JOHN STREET (9.2 miles) and HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (9.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Benholm?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Benholm, 3 practices within 10 miles and 13 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Montrose, 9.2 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Benholm?
The nearest practice to Benholm that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 9.2 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include 53 JOHN STREET (9.2 miles) and HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (9.3 miles).
What NHS area is Benholm in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Benholm falls under NHS Grampian.
Is Benholm rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Benholm falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is Benholm compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Benholm 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 Benholm?
Nearby towns include Kinneff, Fiddes, Arbuthnott.
How long does NHS treatment take?
18-24 months covers most moderate NHS cases, with complex cases running longer. Your orthodontist confirms a specific estimate after assessment.
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 Aberdeenshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Aberdeenshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: