NHS Treatment in Craichie at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| 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 | HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Forfar — 3.7 miles; 16 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 12 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 Craichie
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Craichie, 16 practices within 10 and 62 practices within 20. The closest is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, 3.7 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, 3.7 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICEForfar | 3.7 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| FORFAR DENTAL CAREForfar | 3.9 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| CASTLE STREET DENTALForfar | 3.9 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| LAWS DENTALCarnoustie | 8.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| CARNOUSTIE DENTAL CARECarnoustie | 8.4 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICEKirriemuir | 8.8 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craichie with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Forfar, 3.7 miles north-west; the next are Carnoustie (8.3 miles south-east) and Kirriemuir (8.8 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Forfar | 3 | 3.7 miles north-west |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 8.3 miles south-east |
| Kirriemuir | 1 | 8.8 miles north-west |
| Monifieth | 4 | 8.9 miles south |
| Arbroath | 4 | 9.0 miles south-east |
| Dundee | 8 | 9.3 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craichie
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Perla Orthodontics in Tayport (4.7 from 13 reviews), 10.3 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Perla OrthodonticsTayport | 4.7 (13 reviews) | 10.3 miles south |
| Oris Dental & Implant StudioMonifieth | 4.6 (87 reviews) | 8.9 miles south |
| Kingsway Dental PracticeDundee | 3.2 (14 reviews) | 10.4 miles south-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craichie, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 32.1 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Forfar, 3.7 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 12 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craichie are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Craichie funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Understanding its limits helps families in Craichie plan around realistic waiting times.
How the NHS Route Works in Craichie
The NHS pathway in Craichie 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 Craichie.
- 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Craichie?
Many patients in Angus wait 18 months or longer between NHS referral and treatment starting. During this period teeth continue to develop and cases can become more complex. Private treatment, while more expensive, begins promptly and offers far greater choice of treatment type.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craichie
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 Angus vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Practices serving Craichie differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. By national deprivation ranking, Craichie sits among the less deprived areas of Scotland. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Craichie is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 12 miles away. Craichie sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning. Officially, Craichie is categorised as accessible Rural. Craichie has 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 63% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Craichie itself. The nearest we do hold are HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 4 miles away; LAWS DENTAL in Carnoustie, about 8 miles away; and KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9 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.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Craichie
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Private Alternatives If You're Not NHS-Eligible in Craichie
Patients who don't meet the IOTN threshold have several straightforward private options. A free photo assessment through Virtual Consultant Online is a quick first step to understand which treatments suit your case and what they typically cost locally — before committing to a paid in-person consultation.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Craichie
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Parents in Craichie 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 Craichie — Local Context
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Craichie. Craichie — accessible Rural by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Tayside for NHS dentistry. Craichie falls in a less deprived area than most of Scotland. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (3), Craichie has more choice than 63% of towns in Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Craichie is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 12 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Craichie
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craichie?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craichie is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 3.7 miles to the north-west. The next closest are FORFAR DENTAL CARE (3.9 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (3.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craichie?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Craichie, 16 practices within 10 miles and 62 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craichie?
The nearest practice to Craichie that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 3.7 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include FORFAR DENTAL CARE (3.9 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (3.9 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Craichie?
NHS dental commissioning in Craichie falls under NHS Tayside.
What kind of area is Craichie?
ONS classifies Craichie as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Craichie compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craichie 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 Craichie?
Rescobie, Kirkbuddo, Clocksbriggs are within easy reach of Craichie.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
Almost always metal fixed braces — ceramic, lingual and aligner treatment aren't NHS options. A less visible appliance means going private.
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 Angus
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Angus — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: