NHS Treatment in Craigend 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 | 4 GRAHAMS PLACE, Perth — 1.7 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 18 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Other 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 Craigend
On our practice register: 14 practices within 5 miles of Craigend, 15 practices within 10 and 78 practices within 20. The closest is Cherrybank Dental Spa in Perth, 1.6 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is 4 GRAHAMS PLACE, 1.7 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 GRAHAMS PLACEPerth | 1.7 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| CALEDONIAN DENTAL CAREPerth | 1.8 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| THE PERTH DENTAL CENTREPerth | 1.8 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| DENTAL CARE PERTH AND IMPLANT CLINICPerth | 1.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| BRIDGE OF EARN DENTAL PRACTICEBridge of Earn | 2.0 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 11 MAIN STREETPerth | 2.1 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craigend with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Perth, 1.7 miles north; the next are Bridge of Earn (2.0 miles south-east) and Scone (3.3 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Perth | 8 | 1.7 miles north |
| Bridge of Earn | 1 | 2.0 miles south-east |
| Scone | 1 | 3.3 miles north |
| Auchtermuchty | 1 | 9.3 miles south-east |
| Auchterarder | 2 | 11.4 miles south-west |
| Kinross | 2 | 11.4 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craigend
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Infinityblu Dental Care & Implant Clinic in Auchterarder (4.8 from 152 reviews), 11.4 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Infinityblu Dental Care & Implant ClinicAuchterarder | 4.8 (152 reviews) | 11.4 miles south-west |
| Saltire Dental Practice LtdGlenrothes | 4.4 (115 reviews) | 15.7 miles south-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craigend, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 14.3 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is 4 GRAHAMS PLACE, Perth, 1.7 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 18 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craigend are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Craigend, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. 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 Perth and Kinross.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craigend
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 Perth and Kinross depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Not every practice near Craigend offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. By national deprivation ranking, Craigend sits among the less deprived areas of Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Craigend is about 18 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. For NHS dental services, Craigend falls under NHS Tayside. Officially, Craigend is categorised as other Urban Areas. With 14 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craigend is better served than 79% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Craigend. The nearest we do hold are Cherrybank Dental Spa in Perth, about 2 miles away; BRIDGE OF EARN DENTAL PRACTICE, about 2 miles away; and SCONE DENTAL PRACTICE, 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Craigend
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Craigend runs like this:
- 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 Craigend.
- 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.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Craigend
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Craigend typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Craigend
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. 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.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Craigend
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Children's Orthodontics in Craigend — Local Context
Provision in Craigend varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Officially, Craigend is categorised as other Urban Areas. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Tayside. Craigend's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. With 14 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craigend is better served than 79% of towns in Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Craigend is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 18 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 Craigend
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craigend?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craigend is Cherrybank Dental Spa in Perth, about 1.6 miles to the north-west. The next closest are 4 GRAHAMS PLACE (1.7 miles) and CALEDONIAN DENTAL CARE (1.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craigend?
Our register has 14 practices within 5 miles of Craigend, 15 practices within 10 miles and 78 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craigend?
The nearest practice to Craigend that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is 4 GRAHAMS PLACE in Perth, about 1.7 miles to the north. Others nearby include CALEDONIAN DENTAL CARE (1.8 miles) and THE PERTH DENTAL CENTRE (1.8 miles).
Which NHS body covers Craigend for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Tayside.
Is Craigend rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Craigend falls under other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Craigend compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craigend 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 Craigend?
Perth, Cherrybank, Upper Craigie are within easy reach of Craigend.
Can I switch from the NHS waiting list to private?
Yes — you can start private treatment at any time, including while on an NHS waiting list. Many patients do this to avoid a long wait or to access ceramic or aligner options. You don't have to formally leave the NHS list first, though it's courteous to let the practice know.
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 Perth and Kinross
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