NHS Treatment in Blackgate 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 — 2.4 miles; 6 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 16 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 Blackgate
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Blackgate, 6 practices within 10 and 58 practices within 20. The closest is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, 2.4 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, 2.4 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICEForfar | 2.4 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| FORFAR DENTAL CAREForfar | 2.5 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| CASTLE STREET DENTALForfar | 2.5 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICEKirriemuir | 6.3 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 7.9 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 8.1 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Blackgate with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Forfar, 2.4 miles south-west; the next are Kirriemuir (6.3 miles west) and Brechin (7.9 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Forfar | 3 | 2.4 miles south-west |
| Kirriemuir | 1 | 6.3 miles west |
| Brechin | 2 | 7.9 miles north-east |
| Arbroath | 4 | 12.1 miles south-east |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 12.5 miles south |
| Dundee | 7 | 12.8 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Blackgate
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), 14.1 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Perla OrthodonticsTayport | 4.7 (13 reviews) | 14.1 miles south |
| Oris Dental & Implant StudioMonifieth | 4.6 (87 reviews) | 13.0 miles south |
| Kingsway Dental PracticeDundee | 3.2 (14 reviews) | 13.8 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Blackgate, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Banchory Dental Practice, 29.3 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, 2.4 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 16 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Blackgate 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 Blackgate, 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. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Angus.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Blackgate
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 Angus are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
What's available in Blackgate depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. National deprivation data puts Blackgate close to the Scotland median. The nearest university dental hospital to Blackgate is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 16 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Classified by ONS as accessible Rural, Blackgate sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning. With 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, Blackgate is better served than 63% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Blackgate itself. The closest on record are HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 2 miles away; KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 6 miles away; and R AND PM THOMSON in Brechin, about 8 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Blackgate?
Many patients in Angus wait 18 months or longer between NHS referral and treatment starting. During this period teeth continue to develop and cases can become more complex. Private treatment, while more expensive, begins promptly and offers far greater choice of treatment type.
NHS vs Private Fees in Blackgate
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Going private for the same metal braces in Blackgate costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Blackgate?
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Angus apply the same national criteria consistently. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
How Eligibility Is Scored
The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the two-part scoring system orthodontists across Angus use to decide whether a patient qualifies for NHS treatment.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Blackgate
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Parents in Blackgate increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Blackgate
Space maintainers hold open the gap left by a prematurely lost baby tooth, preventing neighbouring teeth from drifting in before the adult tooth erupts.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Blackgate
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Blackgate?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Blackgate is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 2.4 miles to the south-west. The next closest are FORFAR DENTAL CARE (2.5 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (2.5 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Blackgate?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Blackgate, 6 practices within 10 miles and 58 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Blackgate?
The nearest practice to Blackgate that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 2.4 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include FORFAR DENTAL CARE (2.5 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (2.5 miles).
What NHS area is Blackgate in for dental services?
Blackgate sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning.
Is Blackgate rural or urban?
ONS classifies Blackgate as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Blackgate compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Blackgate 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 Blackgate?
Oathlaw, Burnside, Clocksbriggs are within easy reach of Blackgate.
What does NHS orthodontic treatment include?
A standard NHS course covers the specialist assessment, all adjustment appointments, the brace itself, de-bonding, and retainers — all as one course of treatment.
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: