NHS Treatment in Borrowfield 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 | LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, Montrose — 1.2 miles; 5 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 27 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Other Urban Areas |
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 Borrowfield
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Borrowfield, 5 practices within 10 and 18 practices within 20. The closest is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, 1.2 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.2 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICEMontrose | 1.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTREMontrose | 1.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| 53 JOHN STREETMontrose | 1.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 7.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 7.4 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| IAN ROBERTSON DENTAL CAREArbroath | 12.6 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Borrowfield with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Montrose, 1.2 miles south; the next are Brechin (7.2 miles west) and Arbroath (12.6 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 3 | 1.2 miles south |
| Brechin | 2 | 7.2 miles west |
| Arbroath | 4 | 12.6 miles south |
| Forfar | 3 | 16.8 miles west |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 18.4 miles south-west |
| Stonehaven | 4 | 18.7 miles north-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Borrowfield, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Fountain Dental Group, 22.2 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, 1.2 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 27 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Borrowfield are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Borrowfield follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Borrowfield
For eligible patients in Borrowfield, 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 Borrowfield.
- 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 Costs in Borrowfield
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 Borrowfield costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Borrowfield
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 Angus vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Borrowfield. National deprivation data puts Borrowfield close to the Scotland median. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Borrowfield is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 27 miles away. Borrowfield — other Urban Areas by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Tayside for NHS dentistry. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (3), Borrowfield has more choice than 63% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Borrowfield itself. The closest on record are LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about a mile away; ESK DENTAL CARE in Brechin, about 7 miles away; and IAN ROBERTSON DENTAL CARE in Arbroath, about 13 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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Borrowfield
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Children's Orthodontics in Borrowfield — Local Context
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Borrowfield — comparing a couple is worthwhile. Classified by ONS as other Urban Areas, Borrowfield sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning. National deprivation data puts Borrowfield close to the Scotland median. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (3), Borrowfield has more choice than 63% of towns in Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Borrowfield is about 27 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Borrowfield?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. 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.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Borrowfield?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Borrowfield is almost exclusively for patients under 18. Adult NHS orthodontic slots are very limited and reserved for exceptional functional cases. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment should plan for private care — no waiting list and full choice of treatment type.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Borrowfield
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Borrowfield?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Borrowfield is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 1.2 miles to the south. The next closest are HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (1.2 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (1.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Borrowfield?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Borrowfield, 5 practices within 10 miles and 18 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Borrowfield?
The nearest practice to Borrowfield that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 1.2 miles to the south. Others nearby include HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (1.2 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (1.2 miles).
Which NHS body covers Borrowfield for dental care?
Borrowfield sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning.
Is Borrowfield rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Borrowfield falls under other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Borrowfield compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Borrowfield 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 Borrowfield?
Nearby towns include Montrose, Inchbraoch, Ferryden.
Are NHS orthodontists the same as private ones?
Frequently the same specialist, sometimes even the same practice, provides both. The clinical skill doesn't change — what differs between the two routes is appliance choice, waiting time and how personalised the experience is.
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: