NHS Treatment in Craigs at a Glance
| NHS dental services | Health and Social Care Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free for eligible under-18s; adults 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Northern Ireland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | Maine Dental Practice, Cullybackey — 7.8 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast — about 34 miles |
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 Craigs
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Craigs; 1 practice within 10 and 18 practices within 20. The closest is Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey, 7.8 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is Maine Dental Practice, 7.8 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Dental PracticeCullybackey | 7.8 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (12 reviews) |
| OrthoplusBallymena | 10.9 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (5 reviews) |
| Causeway Orthodontic CentreColeraine | 11.5 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 2.3 (3 reviews) |
| New Row Dental SurgeryColeraine | 13.0 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.3 (17 reviews) |
| Boyd & Logue Dental SurgeryColeraine | 13.0 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (215 reviews) |
| 18 DentalColeraine | 13.0 miles north-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (15 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craigs with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Cullybackey, 7.8 miles south-east; the next are Ballymena (10.9 miles south-east) and Coleraine (11.5 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Cullybackey | 1 | 7.8 miles south-east |
| Ballymena | 1 | 10.9 miles south-east |
| Coleraine | 4 | 11.5 miles north-west |
| Magherafelt | 1 | 16.5 miles south |
| Portrush | 1 | 17.1 miles north-west |
| Jordanstown | 1 | 29.7 miles south-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craigs
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey (5.0 from 12 reviews), 7.8 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Dental PracticeCullybackey | 5.0 (12 reviews) | 7.8 miles south-east |
| Boyd & Logue Dental SurgeryColeraine | 4.7 (215 reviews) | 13.0 miles north-west |
| 18 DentalColeraine | 4.7 (15 reviews) | 13.0 miles north-west |
| Dental 32Magherafelt | 4.6 (40 reviews) | 16.5 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Craigs, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 29.4 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is Maine Dental Practice, Cullybackey, 7.8 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast in Belfast, about 34 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Craigs are commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Craigs, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Causeway Coast and Glens.
How the NHS Route Works in Craigs
The NHS pathway in Craigs 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 Craigs.
- 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 Waiting Times in Craigs
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Causeway Coast and Glens 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Craigs
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Adults who do qualify pay 80% of the Health Service fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. How long NHS treatment takes to start in Causeway Coast and Glens depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Practices serving Craigs differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Craigs's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Northern Ireland as a whole. The nearest university dental hospital to Craigs is Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast, about 34 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. NHS dental commissioning in Craigs falls under Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. Craigs has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 8 miles away. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Craigs. The nearest recorded are Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey, about 8 miles away; Galgorm Dental in Ballymena, about 10 miles away; and Causeway Orthodontic Centre in Coleraine, about 12 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Craigs?
Many patients in Craigs are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Causeway Coast and Glens apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Private Alternatives If You're Not NHS-Eligible in Craigs
Patients who don't meet the IOTN threshold have several straightforward private options. A free photo assessment through Virtual Consultant Online is a quick first step to understand which treatments suit your case and what they typically cost locally — before committing to a paid in-person consultation.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Craigs
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Craigs — Local Context
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Craigs. For NHS dental services, Craigs falls under Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. By national deprivation ranking, Craigs is roughly mid-table for Northern Ireland. Craigs has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 8 miles away. The nearest university dental hospital to Craigs is Royal Dental Hospital of Belfast, Belfast, about 34 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 Craigs
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craigs?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craigs is Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey, about 7.8 miles to the south-east. The next closest are Galgorm Dental (10.5 miles) and Ballymena Orthodontic Clinic (10.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craigs?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Craigs, 1 practice within 10 miles and 18 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Cullybackey, 7.8 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Craigs?
The nearest practice to Craigs that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is Maine Dental Practice in Cullybackey, about 7.8 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include Orthoplus (10.9 miles) and Causeway Orthodontic Centre (11.5 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Craigs?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.
How deprived is Craigs compared with the rest of Northern Ireland?
By the national deprivation index, Craigs is close to the Northern Ireland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Craigs?
Kilrea, Garryduff, Craigs Middle are within easy reach of Craigs.
What county is Craigs in?
Craigs falls within Causeway Coast and Glens.
Are NHS orthodontists the same as private ones?
Frequently the same specialist, sometimes even the same practice, provides both. The clinical skill doesn't change — what differs between the two routes is appliance choice, waiting time and how personalised the experience is.
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 Causeway Coast and Glens
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Causeway Coast and Glens — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: