NHS Treatment in Craigmillar 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 | CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTRE, Danderhall — under a mile; 27 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 37 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 Craigmillar
On our practice register: 111 practices within 5 miles of Craigmillar, 144 practices within 10 and 239 practices within 20. The closest is CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTRE in Danderhall, 0.2 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTRE, 0.2 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTREDanderhall | 0.2 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| 2 SOUTHFIELD LOANDanderhall | 1.1 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| PRESTONFIELD BUPA DENTAL PRACTICEEdinburgh | 1.1 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| BARBOUR DENTAL PRACTICEEdinburgh | 1.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| 1 LIBERTON BRAEDanderhall | 1.3 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| DUDDINGSTON PARK IMPLANT & DENTAL CLINICDanderhall | 1.3 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craigmillar with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Danderhall, 0.2 miles north-west; the next are Edinburgh (1.1 miles west) and Musselburgh (1.6 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Danderhall | 6 | 0.2 miles north-west |
| Edinburgh | 16 | 1.1 miles west |
| Musselburgh | 4 | 1.6 miles north-east |
| Loanhead | 1 | 2.0 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craigmillar
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Southside Dental Care in Edinburgh (4.8 from 437 reviews), 1.3 miles west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Southside Dental CareEdinburgh | 4.8 (437 reviews) | 1.3 miles west |
| Holyrood Dental CareEdinburgh | 4.6 (154 reviews) | 2.0 miles north-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craigmillar, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 1.5 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTRE, Danderhall, 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 Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 37 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craigmillar are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Craigmillar, 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 City of Edinburgh.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Craigmillar?
Many patients in City of Edinburgh 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 Craigmillar
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 waiting times in City of Edinburgh are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Not every practice near Craigmillar offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. National deprivation data ranks Craigmillar among Scotland's more deprived areas. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Craigmillar is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 37 miles away. For NHS dental services, Craigmillar falls under NHS Lothian. Craigmillar is classified as large Urban Areas. With 110 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craigmillar is better served than 96% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Craigmillar itself. The nearest recorded are CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTRE in Danderhall, under a mile away; PRESTONFIELD BUPA DENTAL PRACTICE in Edinburgh, about a mile away; and THE CRAIGENTINNY DENTAL HEALTH CENTRE in Musselburgh, 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 Craigmillar
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Private treatment in Craigmillar trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Craigmillar
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across City of Edinburgh to decide who receives funded treatment. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Craigmillar — Local Context
NHS waiting times in City of Edinburgh are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Craigmillar
For many families in Craigmillar, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. 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 Craigmillar — Local Context
Orthodontic practices in and around Craigmillar vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Craigmillar is classified as large Urban Areas, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Lothian. Craigmillar's deprivation ranking places it in a more deprived band than most of Scotland. Craigmillar has 110 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 96% of towns in Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Craigmillar is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 37 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 Craigmillar
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craigmillar?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craigmillar is CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTRE in Danderhall, about 0.2 miles to the north-west. The next closest are 2 SOUTHFIELD LOAN (1.1 miles) and PRESTONFIELD BUPA DENTAL PRACTICE (1.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craigmillar?
Our register has 111 practices within 5 miles of Craigmillar, 144 practices within 10 miles and 239 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craigmillar?
The nearest practice to Craigmillar that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is CRAIGMILLAR DENTAL CENTRE in Danderhall, about 0.2 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include 2 SOUTHFIELD LOAN (1.1 miles) and PRESTONFIELD BUPA DENTAL PRACTICE (1.1 miles).
Which NHS body covers Craigmillar for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
What kind of area is Craigmillar?
ONS classifies Craigmillar as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Craigmillar compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craigmillar is more deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Craigmillar?
Gracemount, Prestonfield, Duddingston are within easy reach of Craigmillar.
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 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: