NHS Treatment in Craigentinny at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | More deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICE, Edinburgh — 1.1 miles; 27 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 35 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 Craigentinny
On our practice register: 102 practices within 5 miles of Craigentinny, 147 practices within 10 and 235 practices within 20. The closest is MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICE in Edinburgh, 1.1 miles west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.1 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICEEdinburgh | 1.1 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| 6 EAST HERMITAGE PLACEEdinburgh | 1.1 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| 100-102 EASTER ROADEdinburgh | 1.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| MY DENTISTMusselburgh | 1.2 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 2 SOUTHFIELD LOANDanderhall | 1.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| DENTAL SURGERY 2Edinburgh | 1.3 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craigentinny with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Edinburgh, 1.1 miles west; the next are Musselburgh (1.2 miles south-east) and Danderhall (1.3 miles south-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 19 | 1.1 miles west |
| Musselburgh | 4 | 1.2 miles south-east |
| Danderhall | 4 | 1.3 miles south-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craigentinny, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Abbeymount Dental Care, 1.3 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICE, Edinburgh, 1.1 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 35 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craigentinny 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 Craigentinny focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. Understanding its limits helps families in Craigentinny plan around realistic waiting times.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Craigentinny
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Craigentinny 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 Craigentinny.
- 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craigentinny
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 City of Edinburgh vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
What's available in Craigentinny depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. Craigentinny falls in a more deprived area than most of Scotland, which can be relevant to NHS orthodontic eligibility. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Craigentinny is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 35 miles away. Classified by ONS as large Urban Areas, Craigentinny sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (101), Craigentinny has more choice than 95% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Craigentinny. The closest on record are MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICE in Edinburgh, about a mile away; MY DENTIST in Musselburgh, about a mile away; and 2 SOUTHFIELD LOAN in Danderhall, about a mile 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.
NHS Waiting Times in Craigentinny
NHS orthodontic waiting times in City of Edinburgh vary and can range from 12 to 36 months from referral to treatment starting. For families where timing is important — particularly approaching the optimal treatment age — private orthodontics eliminates the wait entirely and typically begins within a few weeks of consultation.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Craigentinny
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Children's Orthodontics in Craigentinny — Local Context
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Craigentinny — comparing a couple is worthwhile. Craigentinny is classified as large Urban Areas. NHS dental commissioning in Craigentinny falls under NHS Lothian. Craigentinny's deprivation ranking places it in a more deprived band than most of Scotland. Craigentinny has 101 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 95% of towns in Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Craigentinny is about 35 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Craigentinny?
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Craigentinny comes down to a structured assessment. 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.
Eligibility in Craigentinny — Local Context
How long NHS treatment takes to start in City of Edinburgh depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Craigentinny
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craigentinny?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craigentinny is MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICE in Edinburgh, about 1.1 miles to the west. The next closest are 6 EAST HERMITAGE PLACE (1.1 miles) and 100-102 EASTER ROAD (1.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craigentinny?
Our register has 102 practices within 5 miles of Craigentinny, 147 practices within 10 miles and 235 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craigentinny?
The nearest practice to Craigentinny that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is MEADOWBANK DENTAL PRACTICE in Edinburgh, about 1.1 miles to the west. Others nearby include 6 EAST HERMITAGE PLACE (1.1 miles) and 100-102 EASTER ROAD (1.2 miles).
What NHS area is Craigentinny in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
Is Craigentinny rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Craigentinny falls under large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Craigentinny compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craigentinny is more deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Craigentinny?
Nearby towns include Prestonfield, Abbeyhill, Leith.
What happens if I miss NHS appointments?
NHS orthodontic contracts require reasonable attendance. Repeatedly missing adjustment appointments can lead to treatment being discontinued, as it extends the course and ties up limited NHS capacity. If you're struggling to attend, tell the practice rather than simply not turning up.
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: