NHS Treatment in Burroughston at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Orkney |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | DAISYBANK CLINIC, Kirkwall — 7.8 miles; 4 within 10 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 Burroughston
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Burroughston; 4 practices within 10 and 5 practices within 20. The closest is DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, 7.8 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is DAISYBANK CLINIC, 7.8 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 7.8 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 8.1 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 8.2 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 8.7 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 18.8 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Burroughston with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kirkwall, 7.8 miles south-west; the next are Stromness (18.8 miles south-west).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Burroughston, 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, 130.9 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is DAISYBANK CLINIC, Kirkwall, 7.8 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Burroughston are commissioned by NHS Orkney. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Burroughston 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. Understanding its limits helps families in Burroughston plan around realistic waiting times.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Burroughston
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 Orkney Islands are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Practices serving Burroughston differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. By national deprivation ranking, Burroughston is roughly mid-table for Scotland. For NHS dental services, Burroughston falls under NHS Orkney. ONS classifies Burroughston as remote Rural. People in Burroughston usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 8 miles away. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Burroughston. The nearest recorded are DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, about 8 miles away; ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 19 miles away; and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 42 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Burroughston
For eligible patients in Burroughston, 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 Burroughston.
- 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 Burroughston
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Going private for the same metal braces in Burroughston costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Burroughston
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Burroughston.
Adult NHS Orthodontic Access in Burroughston
Adults (18 and over) are rarely eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment in Burroughston. NHS funding for adults is generally limited to severe clinical cases — such as jaw surgery patients or those with significant cleft palate-related needs. Cosmetic adult orthodontics is not NHS-funded.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Burroughston
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
The Age-7 Assessment
British Orthodontic Society guidance points to age 7 for an assessment where there's a noticeable concern — by then most children have their first permanent molars and incisors through, which is enough for an orthodontist to judge jaw relationships, arch development, bite and likely future crowding.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Burroughston
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Burroughston?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Burroughston is DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, about 7.8 miles to the south-west. The next closest are KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (8.1 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (8.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Burroughston?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Burroughston, 4 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Kirkwall, 7.8 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Burroughston?
The nearest practice to Burroughston that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is DAISYBANK CLINIC in Kirkwall, about 7.8 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (8.1 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (8.2 miles).
What NHS area is Burroughston in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Burroughston falls under NHS Orkney.
Is Burroughston rural or urban?
ONS classifies Burroughston as remote Rural.
How deprived is Burroughston compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Burroughston 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 Burroughston?
Deerness, Guith, Yinstay are within easy reach of Burroughston.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
It's a genuine risk on a long waiting list — NHS funding is age-sensitive, so a case eligible at 16 might be assessed differently at 18. If you're close to that age and eligible now, ask about timescales; it can tip the decision toward going private.
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 Orkney Islands
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Orkney Islands — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: