NHS Treatment in Butterstone 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 | INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICE, Dunkeld — 3.2 miles; 2 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 23 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 Butterstone
On our practice register: 1 practice within 5 miles of Butterstone, 2 practices within 10 and 22 practices within 20. The closest is INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICE in Dunkeld, 3.2 miles south-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICE, 3.2 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICEDunkeld | 3.2 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| 64 HIGH STREETBlairgowrie and Rattray | 7.2 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL CAREPitlochry | 10.5 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| COUPAR ANGUS DENTAL CARECoupar Angus | 10.7 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINICAlyth | 11.5 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| ANDERSON DENTISTRYAberfeldy | 12.9 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Butterstone with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Dunkeld, 3.2 miles south-west; the next are Blairgowrie and Rattray (7.2 miles east) and Pitlochry (10.5 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Dunkeld | 1 | 3.2 miles south-west |
| Blairgowrie and Rattray | 1 | 7.2 miles east |
| Pitlochry | 1 | 10.5 miles north-west |
| Coupar Angus | 1 | 10.7 miles east |
| Alyth | 1 | 11.5 miles east |
| Aberfeldy | 1 | 12.9 miles west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Butterstone, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 30.1 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICE, Dunkeld, 3.2 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 23 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Butterstone 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 Butterstone, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Perth and Kinross.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Butterstone
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 Perth and Kinross are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Provision in Butterstone varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Butterstone's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Butterstone is about 23 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. For NHS dental services, Butterstone falls under NHS Tayside. Officially, Butterstone is categorised as remote Rural. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Butterstone itself. The nearest recorded are INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICE in Dunkeld, about 3 miles away; 64 HIGH STREET in Blairgowrie and Rattray, about 7 miles away; and INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE in Pitlochry, about 10 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 Butterstone
The NHS pathway in Butterstone is well-structured — here's what to expect at each stage:
- 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 Butterstone.
- 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 vs Private Fees in Butterstone
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Butterstone typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Butterstone
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Parents in Butterstone increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
Children's Orthodontics in Butterstone — Local Context
Not every practice near Butterstone offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Butterstone — remote Rural by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Tayside for NHS dentistry. Butterstone's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. The nearest university dental hospital to Butterstone is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 23 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Butterstone
Many patients in Butterstone are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Perth and Kinross apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Butterstone — Local Context
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Perth and Kinross vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Butterstone
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Butterstone?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Butterstone is INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICE in Dunkeld, about 3.2 miles to the south-west. The next closest are 64 HIGH STREET (7.2 miles) and INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE (10.5 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Butterstone?
Our register has 1 practice within 5 miles of Butterstone, 2 practices within 10 miles and 22 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Butterstone?
The nearest practice to Butterstone that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is INFINITYBLU DENTAL PRACTICE in Dunkeld, about 3.2 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include 64 HIGH STREET (7.2 miles) and INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE (10.5 miles).
What NHS area is Butterstone in for dental services?
Butterstone sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Butterstone?
ONS classifies Butterstone as remote Rural.
How deprived is Butterstone compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Butterstone 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 Butterstone?
Nearby towns include Riechip, Forneth, Murthly.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
This is a real risk with long waiting lists. NHS orthodontic funding is age-sensitive, so a case that qualifies at 16 may be assessed differently once you turn 18. If you're close to 18 and eligible, ask your dentist about timescales — it can be a reason to consider private 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 Perth and Kinross
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Perth and Kinross — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: