NHS Treatment in Craigo at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE, Montrose — 4.2 miles; 5 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 28 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 Craigo
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Craigo, 5 practices within 10 and 19 practices within 20. The closest is HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE in Montrose, 4.2 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE, 4.2 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTREMontrose | 4.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICEMontrose | 4.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 53 JOHN STREETMontrose | 4.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 6.2 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 6.4 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| 121 HIGH STREETArbroath | 14.8 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craigo with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Montrose, 4.2 miles south; the next are Brechin (6.2 miles south-west) and Arbroath (14.8 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 3 | 4.2 miles south |
| Brechin | 2 | 6.2 miles south-west |
| Arbroath | 4 | 14.8 miles south |
| Forfar | 3 | 16.6 miles south-west |
| Stonehaven | 4 | 17.2 miles north-east |
| Banchory | 2 | 19.4 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craigo, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Fountain Dental Group, 19.4 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 CENTRE, Montrose, 4.2 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 28 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craigo are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Craigo focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. Understanding its limits helps families in Craigo plan around realistic waiting times.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craigo
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 Angus differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Craigo — comparing a couple is worthwhile. Craigo sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Craigo is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 28 miles away. Craigo is classified as accessible Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Tayside. With 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craigo is better served than 63% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Craigo. The nearest we do hold are HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE in Montrose, about 4 miles away; ESK DENTAL CARE in Brechin, about 6 miles away; and 121 HIGH STREET in Arbroath, about 15 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Craigo
The NHS pathway in Craigo 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 Craigo.
- 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 Craigo
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Craigo typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Craigo
For many families in Craigo, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
The Age-7 Assessment
British Orthodontic Society guidance points to age 7 for an assessment where there's a noticeable concern — by then most children have their first permanent molars and incisors through, which is enough for an orthodontist to judge jaw relationships, arch development, bite and likely future crowding.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Craigo
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Craigo comes down to a structured assessment. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Understanding the IOTN Score
The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the two-part scoring system orthodontists across Angus use to decide whether a patient qualifies for NHS treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Craigo
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craigo?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craigo is HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE in Montrose, about 4.2 miles to the south. The next closest are LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE (4.3 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (4.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craigo?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Craigo, 5 practices within 10 miles and 19 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craigo?
The nearest practice to Craigo that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE in Montrose, about 4.2 miles to the south. Others nearby include LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE (4.3 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (4.3 miles).
What NHS area is Craigo in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Tayside.
What kind of area is Craigo?
By ONS classification, Craigo falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is Craigo compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craigo is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Craigo?
Sauchieburn, Hillside, Laurencekirk are within easy reach of Craigo.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Craigo?
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Angus 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 Angus
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Angus — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: