NHS Treatment in Forfar 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 | FORFAR DENTAL CARE, Forfar — under a mile; 4 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 13 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Other 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 Forfar
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Forfar, 4 practices within 10 and 58 practices within 20. The closest is FORFAR DENTAL CARE, 0.4 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is FORFAR DENTAL CARE, 0.4 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORFAR DENTAL CAREForfar | 0.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICEForfar | 0.4 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| CASTLE STREET DENTALForfar | 0.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICEKirriemuir | 5.1 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| WHITFIELD DENTAL CAREDundee | 10.4 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 10.6 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Forfar with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Forfar, 0.4 miles north; the next are Kirriemuir (5.1 miles north-west) and Dundee (10.4 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Forfar | 3 | 0.4 miles north |
| Kirriemuir | 1 | 5.1 miles north-west |
| Dundee | 12 | 10.4 miles south |
| Brechin | 2 | 10.6 miles north-east |
| Monifieth | 4 | 10.9 miles south |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 11.5 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 Forfar
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Perla Orthodontics in Tayport (4.7 from 13 reviews), 12.0 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Perla OrthodonticsTayport | 4.7 (13 reviews) | 12.0 miles south |
| Oris Dental & Implant StudioMonifieth | 4.6 (87 reviews) | 11.3 miles south |
| Kingsway Dental PracticeDundee | 3.2 (14 reviews) | 11.3 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Forfar, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is FORFAR DENTAL CARE, under a mile away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 2. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 13 miles away. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Forfar 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 Forfar focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer. People from South Whitehills, Caldhame and Gowanbank regularly visit orthodontists in Forfar.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Forfar?
Many patients in Angus wait 18 months or longer between NHS referral and treatment starting. During this period teeth continue to develop and cases can become more complex. Private treatment, while more expensive, begins promptly and offers far greater choice of treatment type.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Forfar
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. NHS waiting times in Angus are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time. People from South Whitehills, Caldhame, and Gowanbank regularly make use of Forfar's orthodontic practices for NHS orthodontic access.
3 local orthodontic practices are listed in our database for Forfar. By national deprivation ranking, Forfar is roughly mid-table for Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Forfar is about 13 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. Forfar is classified as other Urban Areas, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Tayside. With 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, Forfar is better served than 63% of towns in Scotland. Across the 3 orthodontic practices we hold records for near Forfar, 3 record NHS provision. These counts come from what each practice publishes, so treat them as a starting point for enquiries rather than a complete picture of what is available. 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 Forfar
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Forfar 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 Forfar.
- 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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Forfar
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. Parents in Forfar increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early. People from South Whitehills, Caldhame and Gowanbank regularly visit orthodontists in Forfar.
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 Forfar
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't. People from South Whitehills, Caldhame and Gowanbank regularly visit orthodontists in Forfar.
How Eligibility Is Scored
Whether the NHS funds treatment comes down to the IOTN score, a standardised two-part measure used right across Angus.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Forfar
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Forfar?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Forfar is FORFAR DENTAL CARE, about 0.4 miles to the north. The next closest are HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE (0.4 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (0.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Forfar?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Forfar, 4 practices within 10 miles and 58 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Forfar?
The nearest practice to Forfar that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is FORFAR DENTAL CARE, about 0.4 miles to the north. Others nearby include HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE (0.4 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (0.4 miles).
Which NHS body covers Forfar for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Tayside.
What kind of area is Forfar?
ONS classifies Forfar as other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Forfar compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Forfar 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 Forfar?
Nearby towns include Caldhame, South Whitehills, Inverarity.
How do I get an NHS referral?
Ask your dentist for an orthodontic assessment — if the IOTN score clears the threshold, they refer you to the local NHS orthodontic service. Some practices also take self-referrals directly.
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: