NHS Treatment in Faulds at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Highland |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE, Thurso — 8.8 miles; 5 within 10 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Remote 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 Faulds
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Faulds; 5 practices within 10 and 5 practices within 20. The closest is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, 8.8 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE, 8.8 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTREThurso | 8.8 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| WICK DENTAL PRACTICEWick | 8.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| DUNBAR DENTAL CLINICThurso | 9.0 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| ORMLIE HILL DENTAL CLINICThurso | 9.2 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| THE BRIDGES DENTAL CLINICWick | 9.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Faulds with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Thurso, 8.8 miles north-west; the next are Wick (8.8 miles south-east).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Faulds, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Dyce Dental Practice Family Dentist, 100.1 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE, Thurso, 8.8 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Faulds are commissioned by NHS Highland. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Faulds focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Faulds
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. How long NHS treatment takes to start in Highland depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Practices serving Faulds differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Faulds's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. Faulds sits within NHS Highland for NHS dental commissioning. By ONS classification, Faulds falls under remote Rural. Faulds has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 9 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Faulds itself. The closest on record are BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 9 miles away; WICK DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9 miles away; and ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 31 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 Faulds
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Faulds 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 Faulds.
- 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 Costs in Faulds
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Faulds typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Faulds
Many patients in Faulds are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. 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.
Adult NHS Orthodontic Access in Faulds
Adults (18 and over) are rarely eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment in Faulds. NHS funding for adults is generally limited to severe clinical cases — such as jaw surgery patients or those with significant cleft palate-related needs. Cosmetic adult orthodontics is not NHS-funded.
Children's Orthodontics in Faulds
Children's orthodontics in Faulds covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Parents in Faulds increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
NHS Treatment for Children in Faulds
Eligible children under 18 in Faulds are entitled to NHS orthodontic treatment free of charge. The process starts with a dentist IOTN assessment and formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Faulds
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Faulds?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Faulds is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 8.8 miles to the north-west. The next closest are WICK DENTAL PRACTICE (8.8 miles) and DUNBAR DENTAL CLINIC (9.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Faulds?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Faulds, 5 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Thurso, 8.8 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Faulds?
The nearest practice to Faulds that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 8.8 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include WICK DENTAL PRACTICE (8.8 miles) and DUNBAR DENTAL CLINIC (9.0 miles).
Which NHS body covers Faulds for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Highland.
What kind of area is Faulds?
By ONS classification, Faulds falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Faulds compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Faulds 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 Faulds?
Nearby towns include East Watten, Watten, Bowermadden.
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 Highland
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Highland — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: