NHS Treatment in Craibstone at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Grampian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, Dyce — 1.6 miles; 28 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen — about 4 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 Craibstone
On our practice register: 43 practices within 5 miles of Craibstone, 67 practices within 10 and 78 practices within 20. The closest is DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.6 miles north-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.6 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DYCE DENTAL PRACTICEDyce | 1.6 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| NORTHFIELD DENTAL CENTREKingswells | 2.4 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| KINGSWELLS DENTAL PRACTICEKingswells | 2.9 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 3.0 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 (213 reviews) |
| MASTRICK DENTAL CENTREKingswells | 3.0 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| MASTRICK SMILE CAREKingswells | 3.0 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craibstone with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Dyce, 1.6 miles north-east; the next are Kingswells (2.4 miles south-east) and Aberdeen (3.0 miles south-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Dyce | 3 | 1.6 miles north-east |
| Kingswells | 4 | 2.4 miles south-east |
| Aberdeen | 14 | 3.0 miles south-east |
| Cults | 2 | 3.4 miles south-east |
| Westhill | 4 | 3.7 miles south-west |
| Bridge of Don | 1 | 4.6 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craibstone
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Andrew Scott Dental Care in Aberdeen (4.9 from 240 reviews), 4.4 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Scott Dental CareAberdeen | 4.9 (240 reviews) | 4.4 miles south-east |
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 4.9 (213 reviews) | 3.0 miles south-east |
| Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist AberdeenDyce | 4.8 (191 reviews) | 3.3 miles east |
| Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic ClinicBridge of Don | 4.8 (176 reviews) | 4.6 miles east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craibstone, 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, 1.6 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.6 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 4 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craibstone are commissioned by NHS Grampian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Craibstone 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. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Aberdeen City.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craibstone
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 Aberdeen City depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Provision in Craibstone varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. By national deprivation ranking, Craibstone is roughly mid-table for Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Craibstone is about 4 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. Classified by ONS as large Urban Areas, Craibstone sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. With 42 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craibstone is better served than 91% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Craibstone itself. The nearest recorded are DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, about 2 miles away; NORTHFIELD DENTAL CENTRE in Kingswells, about 2 miles away; and Mastrick Smile Care in Aberdeen, about 3 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 Craibstone
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 Craibstone costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Craibstone
For eligible patients in Craibstone, 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 Craibstone.
- 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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Craibstone
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
Children's Orthodontics in Craibstone — Local Context
Orthodontic practices in and around Craibstone vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Craibstone is classified as large Urban Areas, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Grampian. National deprivation data puts Craibstone close to the Scotland median. Craibstone has 42 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 91% of towns in Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Craibstone is about 4 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Craibstone
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Aberdeen City to decide who receives funded treatment. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Eligibility in Craibstone — Local Context
Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in Aberdeen City differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Craibstone
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craibstone?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craibstone is DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, about 1.6 miles to the north-east. The next closest are NORTHFIELD DENTAL CENTRE (2.4 miles) and KINGSWELLS DENTAL PRACTICE (2.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craibstone?
Our register has 43 practices within 5 miles of Craibstone, 67 practices within 10 miles and 78 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craibstone?
The nearest practice to Craibstone that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, about 1.6 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include NORTHFIELD DENTAL CENTRE (2.4 miles) and KINGSWELLS DENTAL PRACTICE (2.9 miles).
Which NHS body covers Craibstone for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian.
What kind of area is Craibstone?
ONS classifies Craibstone as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Craibstone compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craibstone 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 Craibstone?
Bankhead, Dyce, Kingswells are within easy reach of Craibstone.
Is NHS orthodontic treatment as good as private?
NHS orthodontic treatment delivered by specialist orthodontists achieves excellent clinical results. The key differences: NHS is almost exclusively metal braces with a waiting list; private offers ceramic, aligner, and lingual options with immediate access.
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 Aberdeen City
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Aberdeen City — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: