NHS Treatment in Cleikimin 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 | ORTHODONTIC LOUNGE, Danderhall — under a mile; 28 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 37 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Large Urban Areas |
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 Cleikimin
On our practice register: 107 practices within 5 miles of Cleikimin, 142 practices within 10 and 228 practices within 20. The closest is Orthodontic Lounge Edinburgh in Danderhall, 0.6 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is ORTHODONTIC LOUNGE, 0.7 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORTHODONTIC LOUNGEDanderhall | 0.7 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| DUDDINGSTON PARK IMPLANT & DENTAL CLINICDanderhall | 0.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| THE CRAIGENTINNY DENTAL HEALTH CENTREMusselburgh | 1.0 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| 2 SOUTHFIELD LOANDanderhall | 1.1 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTREDanderhall | 1.3 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| MY DENTISTMusselburgh | 1.5 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Cleikimin with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Danderhall, 0.7 miles north-east; the next are Musselburgh (1.0 miles north) and Edinburgh (2.2 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Danderhall | 6 | 0.7 miles north-east |
| Musselburgh | 7 | 1.0 miles north |
| Edinburgh | 11 | 2.2 miles west |
| Loanhead | 1 | 2.6 miles south-west |
| Dalkeith | 3 | 2.9 miles south-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Cleikimin
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Southside Dental Care in Edinburgh (4.8 from 437 reviews), 2.5 miles west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Southside Dental CareEdinburgh | 4.8 (437 reviews) | 2.5 miles west |
| Holyrood Dental CareEdinburgh | 4.6 (154 reviews) | 3.0 miles north-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Cleikimin, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 2.6 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is ORTHODONTIC LOUNGE, Danderhall, 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 37 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Cleikimin 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 Cleikimin 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 Waiting Times in Cleikimin
NHS orthodontic waiting times in City of Edinburgh vary and can range from 12 to 36 months from referral to treatment starting. For families where timing is important — particularly approaching the optimal treatment age — private orthodontics eliminates the wait entirely and typically begins within a few weeks of consultation.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Cleikimin
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. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in City of Edinburgh differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Cleikimin. Cleikimin's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. The nearest university dental hospital to Cleikimin is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 37 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Cleikimin — large Urban Areas by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Lothian for NHS dentistry. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (107), Cleikimin has more choice than 96% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Cleikimin itself. The closest on record are Orthodontic Lounge Edinburgh in Danderhall, under a mile away; THE CRAIGENTINNY DENTAL HEALTH CENTRE in Musselburgh, about a mile away; and PRESTONFIELD BUPA DENTAL PRACTICE in Edinburgh, 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Cleikimin
For eligible patients in Cleikimin, 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 Cleikimin.
- 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Cleikimin?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across City of Edinburgh to decide who receives funded treatment. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Not Eligible? Here's What to Do Next in Cleikimin
An IOTN score below grade 4 does not mean your teeth don't need attention — it means NHS resources are prioritised for the most clinically significant cases. Private treatment is open to everyone and provides more treatment choices, faster access, and a more personalised experience.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Cleikimin
For many families in Cleikimin, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Parents in Cleikimin increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Cleikimin
Space maintainers keep the space from a baby tooth lost too soon from closing up, so neighbouring teeth don't drift into the gap before the adult tooth is ready to come through.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Cleikimin
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Cleikimin?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Cleikimin is Orthodontic Lounge Edinburgh in Danderhall, about 0.6 miles to the north. The next closest are ORTHODONTIC LOUNGE (0.7 miles) and DUDDINGSTON PARK IMPLANT & DENTAL CLINIC (0.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Cleikimin?
Our register has 107 practices within 5 miles of Cleikimin, 142 practices within 10 miles and 228 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Cleikimin?
The nearest practice to Cleikimin that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is ORTHODONTIC LOUNGE in Danderhall, about 0.7 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include DUDDINGSTON PARK IMPLANT & DENTAL CLINIC (0.9 miles) and THE CRAIGENTINNY DENTAL HEALTH CENTRE (1.0 miles).
Which NHS body covers Cleikimin for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
What kind of area is Cleikimin?
ONS classifies Cleikimin as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Cleikimin compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Cleikimin 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 Cleikimin?
Nearby towns include Newcraighall, Niddrie, Brunstane.
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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