NHS Treatment in Fisherrow at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICE, Musselburgh — 1 miles; 28 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 Fisherrow
On our practice register: 57 practices within 5 miles of Fisherrow, 141 practices within 10 and 223 practices within 20. The closest is CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICE in Musselburgh, 1.0 miles north-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.0 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICEMusselburgh | 1.0 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 23 BRIDGE STREETMusselburgh | 1.1 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 31/33 HIGH STREETMusselburgh | 1.3 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| ORTHODONTIC LOUNGEDanderhall | 1.4 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| THE CRAIGENTINNY DENTAL HEALTH CENTREMusselburgh | 1.7 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| DUDDINGSTON PARK IMPLANT & DENTAL CLINICDanderhall | 2.0 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Fisherrow with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Musselburgh, 1.0 miles north-east; the next are Danderhall (1.4 miles north-west) and Dalkeith (2.4 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Musselburgh | 7 | 1.0 miles north-east |
| Danderhall | 6 | 1.4 miles north-west |
| Dalkeith | 4 | 2.4 miles south |
| Edinburgh | 6 | 3.8 miles west |
| Loanhead | 1 | 3.8 miles south-west |
| Bonnyrigg | 2 | 4.0 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Fisherrow, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 4.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICE, Musselburgh, 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 37 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Fisherrow are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Fisherrow funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across East Lothian.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Fisherrow
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Private treatment in Fisherrow 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Fisherrow
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 East Lothian depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Not every practice near Fisherrow offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Fisherrow sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Fisherrow is about 37 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. NHS dental commissioning in Fisherrow falls under NHS Lothian. Fisherrow is classified as large Urban Areas. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (55), Fisherrow has more choice than 93% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Fisherrow itself. The closest on record are CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICE in Musselburgh, about a mile away; ORTHODONTIC LOUNGE in Danderhall, about a mile away; and BOSCO DENTAL STUDIO in Dalkeith, 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.
How the NHS Route Works in Fisherrow
For eligible patients in Fisherrow, the NHS route follows a defined sequence from dentist to specialist:
- 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 Fisherrow.
- 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.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Fisherrow
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
Children's Orthodontics in Fisherrow — Local Context
Orthodontic practices in and around Fisherrow vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Fisherrow — large Urban Areas by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Lothian for NHS dentistry. National deprivation data puts Fisherrow close to the Scotland median. With 55 orthodontic practices within five miles, Fisherrow is better served than 93% of towns in Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Fisherrow is about 37 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Fisherrow
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Fisherrow comes down to a structured assessment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across East Lothian to decide who receives funded treatment. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Eligibility in Fisherrow — Local Context
NHS waiting times in East Lothian are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Fisherrow
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Fisherrow?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Fisherrow is CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICE in Musselburgh, about 1.0 miles to the north-east. The next closest are 23 BRIDGE STREET (1.1 miles) and 31/33 HIGH STREET (1.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Fisherrow?
Our register has 57 practices within 5 miles of Fisherrow, 141 practices within 10 miles and 223 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Fisherrow?
The nearest practice to Fisherrow that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is CAMPBELL & GIBSON DENTAL PRACTICE in Musselburgh, about 1.0 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include 23 BRIDGE STREET (1.1 miles) and 31/33 HIGH STREET (1.3 miles).
What NHS area is Fisherrow in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
What kind of area is Fisherrow?
ONS classifies Fisherrow as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Fisherrow compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Fisherrow is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Fisherrow?
Nearby towns include Stoneyhill Steading, Joppa, Stoneybank.
Can I switch from the NHS waiting list to private?
Yes, at any point — even while still on the NHS list. Plenty of patients do this to skip the wait or get access to ceramic or aligner options; you don't have to formally withdraw first, though it's polite to let the practice know.
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 East Lothian
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in East Lothian — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: