NHS Treatment in Caddonfoot at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Borders |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Galashiels — 3 miles; 4 within 10 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 Caddonfoot
On our practice register: 4 practices within 5 miles of Caddonfoot, 4 practices within 10 and 19 practices within 20. The closest is BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Galashiels, 3.0 miles east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, 3.0 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICEGalashiels | 3.0 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINICGalashiels | 3.0 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| 54 LADHOPE VALEGalashiels | 3.1 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| SELKIRK DENTAL PRACTICESelkirk | 4.0 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| CHERRY COURT DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIPeebles | 11.8 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| 11 ELM COURTPeebles | 11.8 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Caddonfoot with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Galashiels, 3.0 miles east; the next are Selkirk (4.0 miles south) and Peebles (11.8 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Galashiels | 3 | 3.0 miles east |
| Selkirk | 1 | 4.0 miles south |
| Peebles | 4 | 11.8 miles west |
| Hawick | 4 | 12.5 miles south |
| Jedburgh | 2 | 15.3 miles south-east |
| Kelso | 2 | 17.5 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Caddonfoot, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 25.8 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Galashiels, 3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Caddonfoot are commissioned by NHS Borders. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Caddonfoot funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Caddonfoot
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 The Scottish Borders vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Provision in Caddonfoot varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Caddonfoot's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Borders. Officially, Caddonfoot is categorised as accessible Rural. Caddonfoot has 4 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 68% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Caddonfoot itself. The closest on record are BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Galashiels, about 3 miles away; SELKIRK DENTAL PRACTICE, about 4 miles away; and CHERRY COURT DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINI in Peebles, about 12 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.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Caddonfoot
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Private treatment in Caddonfoot trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Caddonfoot
For eligible patients in Caddonfoot, 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 Caddonfoot.
- 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 Brace Eligibility in Caddonfoot
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Caddonfoot comes down to a structured assessment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across The Scottish Borders to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Caddonfoot
For many families in Caddonfoot, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Parents in Caddonfoot increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Children's Orthodontics in Caddonfoot — Local Context
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Caddonfoot. Classified by ONS as accessible Rural, Caddonfoot sits within NHS Borders for NHS dental commissioning. Caddonfoot's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. Caddonfoot has 4 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 68% of towns in Scotland. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Caddonfoot
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Caddonfoot?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Caddonfoot is BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Galashiels, about 3.0 miles to the east. The next closest are INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC (3.0 miles) and 54 LADHOPE VALE (3.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Caddonfoot?
Our register has 4 practices within 5 miles of Caddonfoot, 4 practices within 10 miles and 19 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Caddonfoot?
The nearest practice to Caddonfoot that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is BANK STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Galashiels, about 3.0 miles to the east. Others nearby include INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC (3.0 miles) and 54 LADHOPE VALE (3.1 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Caddonfoot?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Borders.
Is Caddonfoot rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Caddonfoot falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is Caddonfoot compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Caddonfoot 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 Caddonfoot?
Torwoodlee, Ashiesteel, Buckholm are within easy reach of Caddonfoot.
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 The Scottish Borders
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in The Scottish Borders — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: