NHS Treatment in Craigends at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde |
|---|---|
| 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 | HOUSTON DENTAL, Houston — under a mile; 28 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Glasgow Dental Hospital, Glasgow — about 10 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Small Towns |
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 Craigends
On our practice register: 34 practices within 5 miles of Craigends, 166 practices within 10 and 414 practices within 20. The closest is HOUSTON DENTAL, 0.9 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is HOUSTON DENTAL, 0.9 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON DENTALHouston | 0.9 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| BRITE DENTAL-HOUSTONHouston | 1.0 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| AMA DENTISTRYLinwood | 1.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| BRIDGE OF WEIR DENTAL & AESTHETICBridge of Weir | 1.7 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| CLOUD DENTALJohnstone | 1.7 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| LINWOOD DENTAL CARELinwood | 1.7 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craigends with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Houston, 0.9 miles north-west; the next are Linwood (1.3 miles south-east) and Bridge of Weir (1.7 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2 | 0.9 miles north-west |
| Linwood | 3 | 1.3 miles south-east |
| Bridge of Weir | 2 | 1.7 miles west |
| Johnstone | 4 | 1.7 miles south-east |
| Kilbarchan | 1 | 1.9 miles south-west |
| Bishopton | 3 | 3.0 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craigends
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Finesse Dental Care in Paisley (4.9 from 159 reviews), 4.3 miles east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Finesse Dental CarePaisley | 4.9 (159 reviews) | 4.3 miles east |
| EnVisage Dentistry KilmacolmKilmacolm | 4.8 (37 reviews) | 4.5 miles north-west |
| Dee Dental PaisleyPaisley | 4.6 (236 reviews) | 4.2 miles east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craigends, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Crookfur Dental Practice, 9.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is HOUSTON DENTAL, 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 Glasgow Dental Hospital in Glasgow, about 10 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craigends are commissioned by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Craigends follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craigends
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 Renfrewshire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Practices serving Craigends differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Craigends's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Craigends is Glasgow Dental Hospital, Glasgow, about 10 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. NHS dental commissioning in Craigends falls under NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. By ONS classification, Craigends falls under accessible Small Towns. With 34 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craigends is better served than 90% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Craigends. The nearest recorded are HOUSTON DENTAL, under a mile away; AMA DENTISTRY in Linwood, about a mile away; and BRIDGE OF WEIR DENTAL & AESTHETIC, 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.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Craigends
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Going private for the same metal braces in Craigends costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
How the NHS Route Works in Craigends
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Craigends 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 Craigends.
- 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 Craigends?
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Craigends comes down to a structured assessment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Renfrewshire to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Craigends?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Craigends is almost exclusively for patients under 18. Adult NHS orthodontic slots are very limited and reserved for exceptional functional cases. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment should plan for private care — no waiting list and full choice of treatment type.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Craigends
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.
Children's Orthodontics in Craigends — Local Context
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Craigends — comparing a couple is worthwhile. Classified by ONS as accessible Small Towns, Craigends sits within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for NHS dental commissioning. National deprivation data ranks Craigends among Scotland's less deprived areas. With 34 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craigends is better served than 90% of towns in Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Craigends is Glasgow Dental Hospital, Glasgow, about 10 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 Craigends
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craigends?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craigends is HOUSTON DENTAL, about 0.9 miles to the north-west. The next closest are BRITE DENTAL-HOUSTON (1.0 miles) and AMA DENTISTRY (1.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craigends?
Our register has 34 practices within 5 miles of Craigends, 166 practices within 10 miles and 414 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craigends?
The nearest practice to Craigends that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is HOUSTON DENTAL, about 0.9 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include BRITE DENTAL-HOUSTON (1.0 miles) and AMA DENTISTRY (1.3 miles).
What NHS area is Craigends in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
What kind of area is Craigends?
By ONS classification, Craigends falls under accessible Small Towns.
How deprived is Craigends compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craigends is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Craigends?
Crosslee, Tandlehill, Brookfield are within easy reach of Craigends.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Craigends?
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Renfrewshire typically range from 12 to 24 months — and in some areas longer. Private treatment has no waiting list and usually begins within weeks of consultation.
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 Renfrewshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Renfrewshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: