NHS Treatment in Comely Bank at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | 3 COMELY BANK, Edinburgh — under a mile; 25 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 36 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 Comely Bank
On our practice register: 116 practices within 5 miles of Comely Bank, 152 practices within 10 and 243 practices within 20. The closest is 3 COMELY BANK in Edinburgh, under 0.1 miles. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is 3 COMELY BANK, under 0.1 miles.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 COMELY BANKEdinburgh | under 0.1 miles | ✓ | – | – |
| 4 GREAT STUART STREETEdinburgh | 0.6 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| NEW TOWN DENTAL PRACTICEEdinburgh | 0.7 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| Edinburgh Dental StudioEdinburgh | 0.7 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (242 reviews) |
| NINETYFIVEDENTALEdinburgh | 0.8 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| 4 HOWARD PLACEEdinburgh | 0.8 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Comely Bank
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is The Row Dental Edinburgh (5.0 from 346 reviews), 1.1 miles east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| The Row Dental EdinburghEdinburgh | 5.0 (346 reviews) | 1.1 miles east |
| Edinburgh Dental StudioEdinburgh | 5.0 (242 reviews) | 0.7 miles south-east |
| Cherrybank Dental SpaEdinburgh | 4.8 (419 reviews) | 0.9 miles south-east |
| Scottish Orthodontics CarlukeEdinburgh | 4.4 (61 reviews) | 1.1 miles east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Comely Bank, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Lisa Lee Acupuncture, under a mile away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is 3 COMELY BANK, Edinburgh, 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 36 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Comely Bank are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Comely Bank focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. Understanding its limits helps families in Comely Bank plan around realistic waiting times.
NHS vs Private Fees in Comely Bank
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Going private for the same metal braces in Comely Bank costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Comely Bank
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. How long NHS treatment takes to start in City of Edinburgh depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Comely Bank — comparing a couple is worthwhile. By national deprivation ranking, Comely Bank sits among the less deprived areas of Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Comely Bank is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 36 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Comely Bank is classified as large Urban Areas, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Lothian. With 116 orthodontic practices within five miles, Comely Bank is better served than 97% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Comely Bank itself. The closest on record are 3 COMELY BANK in Edinburgh, under a mile away; 26-28 MAIN STREET in Davidsons Mains, about 2 miles away; and THE CROSS DENTAL AND IMPLANT CENTRE in Colinton, 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.
How the NHS Route Works in Comely Bank
The NHS pathway in Comely Bank 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 Comely Bank.
- 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Comely Bank
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. 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.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Comely Bank
Many patients in Comely Bank are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across City of Edinburgh to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Comely Bank — Local Context
NHS waiting times in City of Edinburgh are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Comely Bank
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Comely Bank?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Comely Bank is 3 COMELY BANK in Edinburgh, about under 0.1 miles away. The next closest are 4 GREAT STUART STREET (0.6 miles) and NEW TOWN DENTAL PRACTICE (0.7 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Comely Bank?
Our register has 116 practices within 5 miles of Comely Bank, 152 practices within 10 miles and 243 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Comely Bank?
The nearest practice to Comely Bank that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is 3 COMELY BANK in Edinburgh, about under 0.1 miles away. Others nearby include 4 GREAT STUART STREET (0.6 miles) and NEW TOWN DENTAL PRACTICE (0.7 miles).
Which NHS body covers Comely Bank for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Comely Bank falls under NHS Lothian.
What kind of area is Comely Bank?
ONS classifies Comely Bank as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Comely Bank compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Comely Bank is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Comely Bank?
Craigleith, East Pilton, Orchard Brae are within easy reach of Comely Bank.
Can adults access NHS orthodontics in Comely Bank?
Very limited in City of Edinburgh — generally only jaw surgery patients or exceptional functional cases qualify. Private funding covers most adult 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 City of Edinburgh
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in City of Edinburgh — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: