NHS Treatment in Footdee at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Grampian |
|---|---|
| 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 | MILLER RM & MILLER MJ, Aberdeen — under a mile; 26 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen — about 2 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 Footdee
On our practice register: 52 practices within 5 miles of Footdee, 62 practices within 10 and 77 practices within 20. The closest is MILLER RM & MILLER MJ in Aberdeen, 0.7 miles west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is MILLER RM & MILLER MJ, 0.7 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILLER RM & MILLER MJAberdeen | 0.7 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| KING STREET DENTAL PRACTICEAberdeen | 1.2 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic AberdeenAberdeen | 1.2 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (1,720 reviews) |
| CROWN DENTAL GROUPAberdeen | 1.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| ACADEMY DENTAL CAREAberdeen | 1.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| BRIDGE STREET AESTHETIC&DENTAL CLINICAberdeen | 1.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Footdee
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Aberdeen Orthodontics (4.8 from 106 reviews), 1.4 miles north-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen OrthodonticsAberdeen | 4.8 (106 reviews) | 1.4 miles north-west |
| Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in AberdeenAberdeen | 4.7 (288 reviews) | 1.9 miles north-west |
| Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic AberdeenAberdeen | 4.6 (1,720 reviews) | 1.2 miles west |
| Visage Orthodontics Aberdeen | Orthodontist in Aberdeen for Invisalign & BracesAberdeen | 4.6 (82 reviews) | 1.6 miles west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Footdee, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Crown Dental Group, 1.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is MILLER RM & MILLER MJ, Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 2 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Footdee are commissioned by NHS Grampian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Footdee follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Footdee
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Private treatment in Footdee 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 Footdee
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 Aberdeen City depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Footdee. Footdee falls in a more deprived area than most of Scotland, which can be relevant to NHS orthodontic eligibility. The nearest university dental hospital to Footdee is Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen, about 2 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian. Footdee is classified as large Urban Areas. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (52), Footdee has more choice than 92% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Footdee itself. The nearest recorded are MILLER RM & MILLER MJ in Aberdeen, under a mile away; Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic, about 3 miles away; and COVE BAY DENTAL, about 3 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Footdee
The NHS pathway in Footdee 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 Footdee.
- 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 Eligibility in Footdee
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Footdee 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. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Footdee?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Footdee is almost exclusively for patients under 18. Adult NHS orthodontic slots are very limited and reserved for exceptional functional cases. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment should plan for private care — no waiting list and full choice of treatment type.
Children's Orthodontics in Footdee
For many families in Footdee, 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.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Footdee
Space maintainers keep the space from a baby tooth lost too soon from closing up, so neighbouring teeth don't drift into the gap before the adult tooth is ready to come through.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Footdee
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Footdee?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Footdee is MILLER RM & MILLER MJ in Aberdeen, about 0.7 miles to the west. The next closest are KING STREET DENTAL PRACTICE (1.2 miles) and Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic Aberdeen (1.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Footdee?
Our register has 52 practices within 5 miles of Footdee, 62 practices within 10 miles and 77 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Footdee?
The nearest practice to Footdee that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is MILLER RM & MILLER MJ in Aberdeen, about 0.7 miles to the west. Others nearby include KING STREET DENTAL PRACTICE (1.2 miles) and Bridge St Aesthetic and Dental Implant Clinic Aberdeen (1.2 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Footdee?
NHS dental commissioning in Footdee falls under NHS Grampian.
Is Footdee rural or urban?
ONS classifies Footdee as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Footdee compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Footdee is more deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Footdee?
Nearby towns include Old Aberdeen, Torry, Gilcomston.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
This is a real risk with long waiting lists. NHS orthodontic funding is age-sensitive, so a case that qualifies at 16 may be assessed differently once you turn 18. If you're close to 18 and eligible, ask your dentist about timescales — it can be a reason to consider private treatment.
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 Aberdeen City
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Aberdeen City — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: