NHS Treatment in Burravoe at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Shetland |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | BRAE DENTAL CLINIC, Brae — 13.3 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 Burravoe
On our practice register: None within 10 miles of Burravoe; 1 practice within 20. The closest is BRAE DENTAL CLINIC, 13.3 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is BRAE DENTAL CLINIC, 13.3 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRAE DENTAL CLINICBrae | 13.3 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| 4 MARKET STREETLerwick | 30.0 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Burravoe with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Brae, 13.3 miles south; the next are Lerwick (30.0 miles south).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Burravoe, 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, 235.1 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is BRAE DENTAL CLINIC, 13.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Burravoe are commissioned by NHS Shetland. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Burravoe, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Burravoe
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 Shetland Islands vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Not every practice near Burravoe offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Burravoe sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. Burravoe — remote Rural by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Shetland for NHS dentistry. People in Burravoe usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 13 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Burravoe itself. The nearest we do hold are BRAE DENTAL CLINIC, about 13 miles away; 4 MARKET STREET in Lerwick, about 30 miles away; and DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, about 124 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 the NHS Route Works in Burravoe
For eligible patients in Burravoe, 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 Burravoe.
- 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 Burravoe
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 Burravoe costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
Children's Orthodontics in Burravoe
Children's orthodontics in Burravoe covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. 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.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Burravoe
Children in Burravoe who meet the IOTN eligibility threshold are entitled to NHS-funded orthodontic treatment. Referrals are made by the child's dentist once most adult teeth have erupted. NHS treatment for children is almost always metal fixed braces.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Burravoe?
Many patients in Burravoe are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Shetland Islands to decide who receives funded treatment. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
What If You Don't Qualify for NHS Treatment?
If your IOTN score falls below the threshold for NHS funding, private orthodontic treatment is fully available with no eligibility criteria and no waiting list. This means you can start treatment within weeks of your consultation, with full choice of brace type — metal, ceramic, aligner, or lingual — rather than being limited to NHS metal braces.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Burravoe
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Burravoe?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Burravoe is BRAE DENTAL CLINIC, about 13.3 miles to the south. The next closest are 4 MARKET STREET (30.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Burravoe?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Burravoe, 0 practices within 10 miles and 1 practice within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Brae, 13.3 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Burravoe?
The nearest practice to Burravoe that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is BRAE DENTAL CLINIC, about 13.3 miles to the south. Others nearby include 4 MARKET STREET (30.0 miles).
Which NHS body covers Burravoe for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Shetland.
Is Burravoe rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Burravoe falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Burravoe compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Burravoe 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 Burravoe?
Nearby towns include Hadd, Sandvoe, Bardister.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
NHS braces are almost always metal fixed braces. Ceramic, lingual, or clear aligner treatment is not available on the NHS. If you want a less visible option, private orthodontics is required.
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 Shetland Islands
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Shetland Islands — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: