NHS Treatment in Burdiehouse at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE, Loanhead — under a mile; 29 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 40 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 Burdiehouse
On our practice register: 96 practices within 5 miles of Burdiehouse, 141 practices within 10 and 224 practices within 20. The closest is 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE in Loanhead, 0.8 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE, 0.8 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 FOUNTAIN PLACELoanhead | 0.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTDLoanhead | 0.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| BRITE DENTAL GILMERTONDanderhall | 1.5 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICEColinton | 2.0 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| 1 LIBERTON BRAEDanderhall | 2.0 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| BONNYRIGG DENTAL CAREBonnyrigg | 2.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Burdiehouse with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Loanhead, 0.8 miles south-east; the next are Danderhall (1.5 miles north-east) and Colinton (2.0 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Loanhead | 2 | 0.8 miles south-east |
| Danderhall | 3 | 1.5 miles north-east |
| Colinton | 2 | 2.0 miles north-west |
| Bonnyrigg | 3 | 2.3 miles south-east |
| Roslin | 1 | 2.3 miles south |
| Edinburgh | 15 | 2.6 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Burdiehouse, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 3.1 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE, Loanhead, under a mile 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 40 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Burdiehouse are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Burdiehouse follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. 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 Burdiehouse
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Going private for the same metal braces in Burdiehouse costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Burdiehouse?
Many patients in City of Edinburgh 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 Orthodontic Access in Burdiehouse
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 City of Edinburgh 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 Burdiehouse. Burdiehouse's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Burdiehouse is about 40 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. Burdiehouse sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning. Officially, Burdiehouse is categorised as accessible Rural. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (93), Burdiehouse has more choice than 95% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Burdiehouse itself. The closest on record are 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE in Loanhead, under a mile away; BRITE DENTAL GILMERTON in Danderhall, about 2 miles away; and FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICE in Colinton, about 2 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.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Burdiehouse
Many patients in Burdiehouse are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Burdiehouse — Local Context
Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in City of Edinburgh differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Children's Orthodontics in Burdiehouse
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Children's Orthodontics in Burdiehouse — Local Context
Practices serving Burdiehouse differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Officially, Burdiehouse is categorised as accessible Rural. Burdiehouse sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning. By national deprivation ranking, Burdiehouse is roughly mid-table for Scotland. With 93 orthodontic practices within five miles, Burdiehouse is better served than 95% of towns in Scotland. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Burdiehouse is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 40 miles away. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Burdiehouse
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Burdiehouse?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Burdiehouse is 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE in Loanhead, about 0.8 miles to the south-east. The next closest are SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD (0.9 miles) and BRITE DENTAL GILMERTON (1.5 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Burdiehouse?
Our register has 96 practices within 5 miles of Burdiehouse, 141 practices within 10 miles and 224 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Burdiehouse?
The nearest practice to Burdiehouse that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE in Loanhead, about 0.8 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD (0.9 miles) and BRITE DENTAL GILMERTON (1.5 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Burdiehouse?
Burdiehouse sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning.
Is Burdiehouse rural or urban?
ONS classifies Burdiehouse as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Burdiehouse compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Burdiehouse 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 Burdiehouse?
Nearby towns include Southhouse, Alnwickhill, Liberton.
How much do NHS braces cost?
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. Adults on certain benefits or low incomes can be exempt, and one charge covers the full course from fitting to retainers.
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 City of Edinburgh
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